The Love of a Father
My father grew up in the Depression era in a leaky and cold house. He said, in winter months, he could sometimes have snow in his bedroom. The house was not well insulated, so the wind could bring a chill. Though the conditions were difficult, he never questioned the loved of his father.
One frigid night, my father woke up and was thirsty. He called out to his dad and asked him for some water. They did not have running water in the house, so my grandfather had to go outside in the cold to get a cup of water. My dad could hear the floor creaking as my grandfather stepped through the dark house. He heard the door open and the ice breaking as my grandfather got the water from a bucket that had frozen over.
As my grandfather brought the cup of water to my dad's bedside, my dad said he had never felt so loved as he did in that moment. His father had sacrificed his own comfort to satisfy my dad's thirst. What a great example of a father's love.
Our heavenly Father has done this for us. He knows what we need and He provides for us even better than our earthly fathers can.
But the greatest lesson is this. He has loved us to the point of His own personal sacrifice. Jesus left the comforts of heaven to come down to this dark world to satisfy our deepest thirst. He came so that we would never thirst again.
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water. ... whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:11, 14, NIV).
Love is Horizontal and Vertical
If we were to peek behind the drywall in this room and notice that all of the vertical studs had been removed, and there were only horizontal beams, we would leave the building as soon as possible. And likewise, if the building only had vertical studs and no horizontal beams, we would feel unsafe knowing that the building was not stable. We'd run for the exits!
Likewise, if we took a piece of fabric and pulled out all of the vertical or horizontal strands, we would be left with nothing but a handful of strands and dangling threads in either hand. The piece of fabric only exists because the strands run in different directions, giving body and support, and form to the cloth.
God's love is limitless in every direction (Eph. 3:18).
"And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is" (Ephesians 3:18, NLT).
God's love is not one dimensional. He instructs us and shows us to love one another, even as He has love us, because our love for Him and others originates from Him and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on our behalf (1 John 3:16; 4:7-10).
Jesus' death reveals us to be liars when we say things like, "I love God with all my heart, but I just can't get along with him/her." Or, "I get along with everyone, but I just don't have any time for God."
We fool ourselves when we say we love Him (vertical strands of faith), but do not love others (horizontal strands of faith). Or when we say we have love and care for our fellow man, but show no love or care for the God who created us all.
Like a poorly constructed building or poorly woven cloth, our love and relationships are flimsy at best and dangerous at worst, when they are not rooted and grounded in the multi-dimensional love of God.
What an opportunity to grow in our love for one another as we pursue a deeper relationship of love for God!
How Do I Love Thee?
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the English Romantic poet, is known for the first line of Sonnet 43.: “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” She was reared with privilege, wealth, and the finest education, but her health was compromised by an equestrian accident.
When she eloped to marry Robert Browning, her controlling father disinherited her. She published many works of various types throughout her life, and this allowed her to become independently wealthy despite her poor health.
Robert became enamored with her writing, and they corresponded for two years. During this time, she wrote poems expressing her fervently love for Robert. For all that she wrote in her relatively brief life, her poetry stands out, especially Sonnet 43.
The title above Psalm 92 reads, “a song for the Sabbath day.” That connects its words to worship, and this psalm shows the writer’s deep adoration for God. He never uses the word “love,” but his affection for God is obvious. It seems that the writer gives several proofs of that love here. Notice how.
- HE GIVES THANKS TO THE LORD (1)
- HE SINGS PRAISES TO HIS NAME (1,3-4)
- HE DECLARES HIS LOVINGKINDNESS AND FAITHFULNESS (2)
- HE PRAISES GOD’S WORKS AND THOUGHTS (5,8)
- HE SCORNS THE WICKED WHO OPPOSE GOD’S WAY (6-7,9,11)
- HE APPRECIATES THE BLESSINGS OF A GOD-APPROVED LIFE (10,12-14)
- HE EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE IN THE CHARACTER OF GOD (15)
One of the most rewarding exercises you can engage in is to enumerate the ways you love and appreciate God. Do it in your prayer life; spend time praising God and be specific in expressing your adoration and admiration. Think deeply about it. Look around. Look into your life. Consider what looks like His providence in your life and the life of others. Count your blessings, and tell God what you are thankful for. Wait! Did you mention running water, hot water, reliable vehicles, paved roads, coffee, air-conditioning, music, puppies, baby’s breath, eyesight, and brisket? What about the church, salvation, prayer, the Bible, peace, the hope of heaven, His guidance and protection, the elders, deacons, Bible teachers, your spouse, your parents, and your children?
This will build your love and appreciation for God. It will remind you of how much He loves you and cause you to love Him more. It will humble you and help you focus on the fount of your every blessing! It should make you a better, more obedient servant for Him. How do you love Him? Like this psalmist, count the ways! It will lift your spirit and open your eyes to a harvest ripe with those who need what you have. Get counting!