Be Still and Know - "For This Is How God Loved The World"

(from www.premierchristianradio.com)

1. John 3:16-17
   
   
   
   
   'For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.'
   
   I recall the first time somebody, other than my parents, told me that they loved me. I can remember everything about that moment. It was simply amazing – and I am sure that those of you who know me will think it was also completely astonishing! However, it happened, and it was absolutely wonderful. In these verses, which are probably the most famous in the entire Bible, we hear the amazing news that God loves us, and that his love is so total that he gladly sent his own son into the world so that we could have eternal life.
   
   In the Old Testament, there is great emphasis upon God’s love for the people of Israel, but now we see that the doors are flung open to the whole world. Everyone is welcome. The last thing God wants is for anyone to perish and so he invites everyone to believe in him and receive eternal life.
   
   In the Old Testament we read about Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice his precious son, Isaac, in obedience to God’s command. He bound his son, laying him on top of a pile of wood upon an altar, and took hold of a knife to kill him. But, in that terrifying moment, an angel told Abraham not to lay a hand on his son. Instead, he was to offer a ram, which was miraculously provided, caught in a nearby thicket. It was a clear echo of God’s willingness to offer his Son, Jesus, many years later. But there is a significant difference – because Jesus actually died. God made the complete sacrifice.
   
   
   
   
   Whether you are in a secure, loving relationship or not, you need to know that God loves you completely and always will. He has proved that by sending his precious Son into the world, and we can be sure that we can rely on his love for all eternity.
   
   
   
   
   
   Question: What does it mean to you personally to know how much God loves you?
   
   Prayer: Lord God, I thank you for loving me and opening the door to eternal life. Amen