For anyone who has spent much time playing with small children, the game of “I love you THIS much!” can become riddled with giggles and arm stretching. My children would sometimes turn it into airplanes soaring or mowing down the others. But it was always a happy time. They knew that I loved them and I knew that they loved me.
Sometimes as adults we forget how much God loves us. Sure we know He sent his son to die for our sins but do we know how much He longs for our time, to have a relationship with us.
Here is what God has to say:
I take great delight in you, I quiet you with my love, and I rejoice over you with singing, I lead you with unfailing love. I guide you with strength to my holy dwelling. I am ready to pardon you and be gracious and merciful to you. I will never forsake you. I chase after you every day of your life. I have my eye on you. I am ready to come to your rescue. I will keep your body and soul together. Come to me and hid under my wings. I am generous with love, huge in mercy; I will scrub away your guilt.
I am your refuge in times of trouble. Use my strength. Come to me, I will give you breathing room, a place to get away from it all. I take you seriously. I listen to you and make you welcome. I will support you with my unfailing love when you foot slips. In your desperate condition you call out to me. I will get you out in the nick of time. I will put your feet on a wonderful road straight to a good place to live. I care for you tenderly with lasting love. Even though the mountains are shaken and the hills be removed, my unfailing love for you will not be shaken not my peace be removed. I love you with an everlasting love; I draw you to me with unfailing kindness. My compassions never fail.
There is nothing I won’t do for you. Nothing will separate us, not trouble, hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing. I will never give up. I will never force myself on you. I don’t keep score of the sins I have forgiven. Long ago I had you in mind. I had settled on you as the focus of my love. I want you to be made whole and holy by my love. I have adopted you into my family through Jesus my son. So you are free of any penalties and punishments. You are abundantly free. I have provided everything for you. I have shown you my plans.
Spend time with me. I want time to shower grace and kindness upon you. Trust me with your heart, your life and your family. I love you.
Zeph 3: 17 Exodus 15:13 Exodux 34:6-7a 1 chron 16:34 Neh 9:17b Ps 23:6 Ps 33:18 Ps 36:6-7 Ps 42: PS 51:1 Ps 57:1-3 Ps 59:16 Ps 61:3 Ps 69:16 Ps 86:15 Ps 91:14 Ps 94:18 Ps. 103:8 Ps 107:3-5 Is 54:8 Is 54:10 Jer 31:3 Lam 3:22 Rom 8:30-32 1 Cor 13:2-8 Eph 1:3-6 and 7-10 Eph 2:3-8
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Words & Music by: Matthew West, Jason Houser and Kenny Greenberg
Take a look at the mountain
Stretching a mile high
Take a look at the ocean
Far as your eye can see
And think of me
Take a look at the desert
Do you feel like a grain of sand?
I am with you wherever
Where you go is where I am
And I’m always thinking of you
Take a look around you
I’m spelling it out one by one
(Chorus)
I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine and you shine for me too
I love you yesterday and today
And tomorrow I’ll say it again and again
I love you more
Just a face in the city
Just a tear on a crowded street
But you are one in a million
And you belong to me
And I want you to know
I’m not letting go
Even when you come undone
