The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Jeremiah 31:3
Charismatic people that are very popular and well known appear to be able to draw people to them. While they do draw people towards them, it is often just for a short time, while they give the people what they want. As soon as the people no longer are receiving what they want, they leave the person behind. There was no real love that drew the people, but material or temporal things that drew them in the beginning.
Jeremiah records God saying that He has loved them with an eternal love and so because of that love, it is with lovingkindness that He has drawn them.
The world believes that if it gives what one wants, it is shown true love. If what a person wants is denied, it is seen as hate, not love. This results in people being selfish and without true love.
True love stands out as different. It is willing to do what is right and needed all the time, every time. Feelings are not the primary reason for what is done, but only love.
Since people have sinned against God, the only thing every person deserves is immediate painful punishment by death. Even though immediate death is deserved, God does not immediately punish every person with death, otherwise no one would be alive. This is where God’s eternal, everlasting love steps in.
God, in that perfect love, does not immediately punish, but is willing to call a person to repentance and give that person another chance. Jesus was sent to die upon the cross to remove those sins forever. It was out of love that Jesus hung upon the cross. It is that love that draws a person to God, to change and live for Him forever.
You may know someone who is liked very much, and people are drawn to that person. No matter who that person is, there is an element of love and kindness that the person carries, drawing people to that person. Greater than any person can have, God’s lovingkindness is also drawing. His love and kindness is what draws you to Him and cause you to love Him and lay down your life for Him.
Take a moment to reflect on what draws you to God and then give Him praise for it. Draw closer to God for His lovingkindness to you.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the loving kindness of God in your life; and that you will share God’s lovingkindness with others.
Picture by Wilson Sanchez on Unsplash
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