Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Furious Love

Hey Friend,

Though I was not blessed with a good singing voice, I still love to sing (much to the chagrin of those around me when I do so).  I was singing a worship song in church and the lyrics of the song talked about the "furious love" of God.

At first this seemed like an oxymoron to me - how could God's love be furious? I was used to references to God's "loving kindness".

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness.  (Psalm 86:15)

To me, furious meant angry, wrathful, vengeful.  But, furious, I come to find has other definitions such as:  on the offensive, very energetic, intense, very great.

God's (Christ's) love on the offensive...hmmm...

"For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost."  (Luke 19:10)

God and His Son Jesus pursue me; pursue you, persistently, powerfully and passionately.

They will overturn every rock to find you, save you and embrace you with their furious love.  Why?  because you belong to God and He cannot bear to be apart from His child.

One need only to look at the parables in the Bible that speak to someone seeking something with great energy and intensity until it is found.

In the parable of "the lost sheep" (Luke 15:1-7), the shepherd is not content with the 99 sheep of his that he has found.  No, with great and furious love, he searches for the one lost sheep until it is found and lovingly carries it back to the flock.

Much in the same way the owner of a precious lost coin searches tirelessly for that solitary coin.  And, when it is found:

"Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin..."  (Luke 15:9-10)

Translate "the coin" to "one sinner" and you get:

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."  (Luke 15:9-10)

God has a furious love for you.  Yes, YOU!  We pass over John 3:16, but read it again slowly and insert your name.

For God so loved (Your Name), that he gave his one and only Son, that if (Your Name) believes in Him he/she shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Wow!  That is the definition of furious love.  Christ died for us while we were still ugly sinners!

The Bible is chock-full of such references of God's great love for you.  In the last book of the Bible, Revelation 3:20, Christ says,

"Hear I am! (note the exclamation point).  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."  (Revelation 3:20)

Christ's final plea.  Christ's furious love that says I will seek you till I find you.  I will search tirelessly for you until you are back in my arms.  I will knock on the door of your heart until you let me in.

That's how much I love you!

God's furious love for you...You are of great worth.  Praying you will swing wide open the door to His great love for you!

Love,

Bev

10 comments:

  1. I love how you use many verses within your posts and then with them accompanied by your beautiful words...it's just a delight! I need to print this one as I'm doing a devotional next week with my small group on how Christ loved. So, Thank You!
    Much love to you, Bev. (((hugs)))
    Beth

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  2. Beth,
    Thanks for your kind words! Glad I could help you out with your devotional :). Love and ((hugs)), Bev

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  3. God's love is a furious love, a love that's on the offensive.

    I LOVE that, Bev. Positively brilliant.

    Thank you sooo much for sharing this!

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  4. Thanks Kristen for your input!! I truly value it...and I value you!
    Always,
    Bev

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  5. You're welcome...compliments of God :) God bless you, Bev

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  6. My heart rejoiced as I read your words tonight! I needed to hear that God loves me....furiously. I never, ever thought of it that way. Such intensity of love for us! How humbled and low I feel, as I bow before Him and thank Him for such an incredible gift. I am so thankful God introduced us through Holley's link-up. You consistently bless my day...and my life. May blessings be returned to you in abundance! Love, Cheryl

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    1. Cheryl,
      My writing is simply God speaking to my heart and my blog is letting others in on our conversations. I am so filled with joy that our conversations have blessed you. I never knew God's intense love for me, but once discovered, I am truly humbled as you are. I am so glad God had our paths cross through Holley. God's blessings to you my friend!! Love, Bev

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  7. Oh, this is wonderful, Bev. Even though I was raised in a faith-filled family, it is only in the last year that I have heard this idea of God pursuing. I was just thinking...how do I know that's true? And here you've told me! Thank you. I'm coming to you from Holley's.

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    1. Mandy,
      God pursuing was a very new concept for me as well...but oh boy when you grasp it you are overcome with joy at how much you are loved. So glad God was able to speak to you through me! Live being pursued!! So glad you popped over from Holley's. Grace and blessings to you, Bev

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