March 17th

March 17th

Read: Romans 8:35-39; Rev. 3:20; Jn. 10:28; 1 Jn. 4:17-18; 2 Cor. 12:9; and Mal. 3:7

When my daughter was two or three years old, I took her shopping at a department store. She was strapped into her stroller, so I turned my attention to shopping for clothing. She quickly turned her attention to unstrapping herself and making an undetected get-away. When I turned to check on her, she was gone. My heart skipped a beat or two before I caught sight of a worried looking clerk making a dash for a rack of dresses an aisle or two away. I saw the dresses moving as something (or someone) moved through the center of the rack from one end to the other. There was Jane peeking out to see if I was still in sight. She was totally unconcerned that we were separated. My concern found outlet quite another way than she expected, because I love her.

God must feel the same way when we move away from Him. Our best interests are found up close to Him, not doing our own thing off in another direction. He, however, is loving us and wooing us to return in spite of our lack of concern for our own safety and His glory. I was ashamed of Jane that day, but I still love her. God must be ashamed of us sometimes too, but he keeps loving us anyway. Nothing can separate us from His love.

“NOR LIFE, NOR DEATH”
Nevermore Your voice to hear,
Nevermore to feel Your hand
Nevermore to have no fear,
Nevermore to understand
The meaning of Your Word,
Nevermore to know Your grace,
Nevermore to walk with Thee,
Nevermore to see Your face
Would, indeed, be death to me;
Hell would not be deferred.

I thank You Lord, that You e’er stand;
I thank You, Lord, You never change;
I thank You, Lord that You have planned
And nothing can I rearrange,
Not now, nor afterward.
I thank You that I know ’tis so
That naught can separate from Thee
The children that You love and know
And ever undergird.

Prayer: I thank You, Father, for all the blessings of Your love.