Today’s Reading: Luke 6:27-36 / Jonah 3:10-4:11
Today’s Verse: For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. Luke 6:32 KJV
“Love conquers all.”
This saying means that the power of love can overcome any obstacle or challenge.
With true love we can show courage through any difficulties we face.
Love can heal wounds and bring people together despite their differences.
We may not see this exact saying in the Bible, but within its pages we find the idea of God’s love conquering everything.
“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).
Always remembering that He “sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17 KJV).
His desire was to redeem us from our sins.
A desire that has not changed.
But for some, like the prophet Jonah, this may be difficult.
Even his dramatic rescue from the belly of a big fish did not transform his heart.
God had shown him where he had done wrong.
To change his ways and show love to the people of Nineveh.
And even though he eventually did obey God, he still said he would rather die than watch the Lord show mercy to his enemies. (Jonah 4:1-2,8).
We can only guess if he ever learned how to do this.
The Father desires that we maintain a good attitude of love towards others.
To never let our attitude be one that fears and hate.
While we yet live, we all have the ability to be the one that shows love.
Daily remembering that Love bears all things [regardless of what comes].
Love believes in all things [looking for the best in each one].
Love hopes for all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times].
Love endures all things [without weakening]” (1 Corinthians 13:7 AMP).
Let us continue to ask Him to give us the ability to love our enemies.
To show them the same mercies that He has shown us.
Life will always be filled with challenges.
Some big and some small.
But His love conquers them all.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Heavenly Father, You have told us to always show love. It is easy to show love to those who love us. But to show love to our enemies is hard. Those are the times we must remember that if we are truly grounded in the faith of Your love, it will make it easy to obey Your command. In any situation let us humbly come to You for guidance. We want to be merciful, even as You have shown mercy to us. Thank You for the love You always show us.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen