God’s Extravagant Love

I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love. — Hosea 11:4
Jesus therefore said to them: "Most assuredly, I tell you, it wasn't Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread out of heaven." — John 6:32
Fanny Rodríguez

Author

Fanny Rodríguez

Summary: Human love can make us feel special, but it can never compare with God’s infinite and eternal love. He draws us with cords of love and persists in communicating with us; yet worries, commitments, friendships, and even family can distract us to the point that we fail to perceive His calls and His presence. We need to set aside time from our routine, be still, and listen to the Holy Spirit. We can even replace whatever fills our ears with songs of praise that help us enter God’s presence. Let us seek to be with our Father not only to bring Him our requests, but also to delight in His presence and learn to listen to Him.

Celebrating God's LoveHearing God's VoiceFaithful Pursuit of GodSeeking the Face of GodProclaiming God's LoveListening and Obeying God

I heard a preacher share this anecdote: One cool summer afternoon, he was walking along the beach with his wife, and while she walked slowly, he went on ahead, found a little stick, and wrote in the sand in very large letters, “I love you.” Farther on, he wrote, “You are the most beautiful woman,” and farther still, he wrote, “Without you, I am empty.” Then he sat on a rock and watched her to see her reaction to each message. As she was approaching the first message, a seagull flew by, and she became engrossed in watching it and did not see the message. He thought, Well, she will read the other two. She continued walking, while he waited expectantly for her to read the second message so he could observe her expression; unfortunately, because she was watching the ocean waves, she walked right past the second message; the same thing happened with the third message. When she reached the place where he was, he told her, somewhat annoyed, that he had written some messages in the sand and she had passed by without noticing them and had not seen them.

Then she ran back to the second message to read what it said, and then to the third; afterward, she ran toward him, hugged and kissed him with great joy. What followed, he did not share… The wife in this anecdote felt flattered; she felt special because of her husband’s expressions of love. Yet although he loves her, his love cannot compare with God’s infinite and eternal love.

I wonder how many times the Lord has called us and persisted in trying to communicate with us, but we have not paid attention to Him. The Word of God says that He drew us with cords of love (Hosea 11:4). But on many occasions, worries, commitments, friendships, and even our family distract us, and we fail to perceive His loving calls, much less His presence around us. How difficult it is to set aside time from our daily routine to be silent and listen to the Holy Spirit, who continually longs for us. Perhaps it is difficult for you to turn off the radio or the music; how about changing the tune and listening to worship songs so that you may enter into God’s presence? Then you will learn to connect with the flow of our Heavenly Father and enjoy His presence.

Heavenly Father, I ask You to place in the hearts of every brother and female friend who reads this message a hunger and thirst for Your presence. Unleash an intense need within us to set aside time to be with You, not only to bring our petitions, but also to delight in Your presence and learn to listen to You.