The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jer. 31:3
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Rom. 2:4
Dear heavenly Father, not just in the past, but in the present—in this very moment, you love us with an everlasting, unwavering, incomparable love. We cannot add to your love for us, nor take away from it, because it’s entirely generated, maintained, and guaranteed by what Jesus has done for us. Oh, the peace and joy, freedom and focus this gives us!
Such almost-too-good-to-be-true news compels us into a life of living to your glory. The more convinced and secure we are in your love, the less we obsess about what others think about us; the less we foolishly look to success, stuff, and pleasure to fill up the God-shaped hole inside of us.
The more alive we are to your lavish love, the less we worry and the more we worship; the less we criticize others and the more quickly we humble ourselves; the less we stress about circumstances, and the more we accept your sovereign rule over all things; the less busy and irritated we are, and the more time we make for un-rushed fellowship with you.
Indeed, thank you, Father, for your non-stop kindness towards us. Your kindness first led us to faith in Jesus, and your kindness continues to make repenting a joy. Free us to love others as you love us—those who are easy to love, but also the difficult people we will encounter today. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ magnificent and merciful name.