VERSE 1: GOD’S LOVE NEVER CHANGES, EVEN WHEN I AM ANGRY WITH HIM.
Whenever the name “Job” is mentioned, people often associate him with suffering and patience. We like to see him as a tragic figure who endured his turmoil with grace and candor. Now, it is true that Job “did not sin with his mouth” when tragedy struck at him like a lightning bolt, but he was far from a perfect sufferer.
Yes, Job got angry with God. If you wish to disagree, consider these following scriptures…
Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! Job 6:8
Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. Job 13:3
Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. Job 23:2-4
Even though Job got angry with God, and would take a few shots at him, God is big enough to take a few shots. Later, in chapters 38 to 41 God rebukes Job, testifying to His own knowledge and power. But you will notice in the last chapter of that book, that God lovingly restored to Job all the children he had in addition to doubling his possessions.
“(Love) is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil…” 1 Corinthians 13:5
VERSE 2: GOD’S LOVE NEVER CHANGES EVEN WHEN I DISAGREE WITH HIM.
“I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.”
This little saying, as cute as it is, reveals a truth about us—we think we know everything. And we don’t like to admit it when we are wrong. But we must remember one small thing: We are not God. We do not have His knowledge, His wisdom or His foresight. We are better off relying on God Almighty and His ways.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9
VERSE 3: GOD’S LOVE NEVER CHANGES EVEN WHEN I AM SELFISH.
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. Mark 10:35-37
But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:43-45
“Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own…” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
VERSES 4-5: GOD’S LOVE NEVER CHANGES EVEN WHEN I STOP COMMUNICATING WITH HIM.
Samson was a judge of Israel for 20 years. There are three chapters dedicated to his deeds. Here are a few facts about him…
Was to be a Nazarite (Judges 13:5)
God blessed Samson, and His spirit moved in him (13:24-25)
He took a Philistine wife, visited a harlot and frequented Delilah (14;16:1,4)
Never prayed to God except when he was thirsty or wanted deliverance (15:18, 16:28)
Even though it is recorded that he only prayed to God twice, it is recorded that God lovingly answered his request each time.
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven…” 2 Chronicles 7:14
VERSE 6: GOD’S LOVE NEVER CHANGES EVEN WHEN I AM CONSTANTLY “UP-AND-DOWN” IN MY LIFE.
If ever there was a person who had an “up-and-down” relationship with God, it was Peter when he was a disciple. It was Peter walked on the water to Jesus, just to turn around and sink. Do you remember when Peter had just declared Jesus as “the Christ, the son of the living God,” only to be sharply rebuked the next second when Peter refused to think about Jesus being put to death?
Possibly the most touching portrayal of God’s love, outside of the crucifixion, is when Peter three times denied Jesus. A few days later, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him. Peter probably expected to be tossed aside after what he had done, but Jesus lovingly said to him, “Follow me.”
“(Love) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things; Charity never fails…” I Corinthians 13:7-9
VERSES 7-9: GOD’S LOVE NEVER CHANGES EVEN WHEN I AM DEFENSIVE AND REFUSE TO CHANGE.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Matthew 23:37
God has called the nation of Israel “a stiffnecked and obstinate” people. We can see several examples:
Wishing to return to Egypt at the Red Sea
Worshipping the golden calf
Spying on the promised land
But instead of destroying the nation in their stubbornness, God was true to his love, and continued to shower His blessings on them.
“Love covers all sins…” Proverbs 10:12
VERSES 10-11: GOD’S LOVES ME EVEN WHEN I SELFISHLY CHOOSE NOT TO LOVE OTHERS WITH THE SAME LOVE GOD LOVES ME.
When the prodigal son came to his senses and came home to the father, the father had been watching for him. The father graciously and lovingly accepted the wayward son back into the fold, and immediately ordered a feast to be prepared.
The older son was out in the field, probably overseeing and tending to the family business. When he saw the party that was being thrown for his brash, selfish brother, he became enraged! He went to his father, demanding to know why he had never thrown such a festival for him. The father replied, “Son, thou art ever with me, and all I have is thine.”
Even when the older son did not love his fellow brother like he should, the father still loved him.
READ LUKE 6:32-35
