An Everlasting Love
The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying, "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you."
- Jeremiah 31:3
I don't know why, but some people think they will get a pass on pain and suffering in their lives. They expect to somehow make it through life unscathed, never having a major tragedy . . . never having any kind of illness . . . never losing a loved one. They think life will be all sunshine and blue skies.
But life is filled with pain, sorrow, and the death of loved ones. And when these things come our way, we are shocked. But Peter wrote, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you" (1 Peter 4:12). In other words, don't be surprised when these things happen. They happen to everyone.
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Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation . . ." (John 16:33). Pain and sorrow will come your way. It will knock at your door. It probably will start with your grandparents dying. And then your parents. Eventually it could be your spouse. It might be a child. It could be a close friend. But when it is someone close to you like a spouse or a child, it is a whole different thing.
But know this: whatever God does or allows to happen in your life as His child is motivated by His everlasting love for you. God says, "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." (Jeremiah 31:3).
God loves us. Don't rush over that, and don't misunderstand it. Let it sink in. God loves you. Human love is fickle. It fluctuates. It comes and goes. But God's love for us is consistent and never changes. God's love for us is everlasting.
