APRIL 22, Jeremiah 31:3

There have been newspaper reports of youths who join gangs and eventually land up in trouble. Some of these include fighting, vandalizing, and other forms of wrong behaviour. Why do these young people join gangs? These youths or kids may come from “good” families, with parents who are well-educated or wealthy. Why then do they join gangs? It is often because they do not find love at home.

Do you have love at home? I hope the answer from most is “Yes”. But some of you may come from difficult backgrounds and may think you do not have love at home. If you then think nobody loves you, you are WRONG! Today’s verse tells us that God loves us. And more than that, His love is everlasting.

“Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so” Do you remember this song? We know God loves us because He told us so. But, do you know when God begins to love us and whether He will ever stop loving us?

God had shown His love for all mankind before we even came to know Him. That includes you and me. You mean God loves me even before I became a Christian? Yes, God loved sinners so much that He sent His precious Son Jesus to die for them. God’s salvation plan speaks of God’s love. His love is true and is put into action as He has planned.

But more than that, God’s love is everlasting! What is everlasting? That is to last forever! Will God still love me when I misbehave and fall into temptations? Yes, but do not confuse His love and His blessings. When you continue to sin, God still loves You but He hates your sin, so you may miss out on His blessings. However, if you repent and return to Him, the blessings will resume!

The strongest of human love will end one day. Friendship may break up over some misunderstanding; Grandma and Grandpa may die of old age, so they cannot love us anymore, but God’s love, unlike human love, has no beginning and no ending. God’s promise is: “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” God will never stop loving you.

Thought: Jesus loves me more than words can ever tell.
Prayer: Our heavenly Father, thank You for Thy everlasting love. Help me to learn to love You more. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.