When I was younger I used to think that if someone I was in love with asked me to marry him, then I would know I was loved and feel loved forever. I was confident that that single moment would forever satisfy my aching need to be accepted and delighted in. Well, one December afternoon about 3 years ago the man I love did get down on one knee and speak that magical phrase: "I love you. Will you marry me?" And I did feel loved and accepted and delighted in. There were fuzzy stars and hearts dancing around my head and I'm pretty confident there were cute penguins dancing around and eating pink cupcakes in excitement. Life was good. But looking back I ask the question, did I even make it through the whole night before I needed to hear "I love you" again?
It continues to amaze me the depth of the unsatisfaction of my heart. There is that constant, hungering, unquenchable ache for love and acceptance. It is a desire so strong that even when that man I love tells me for the 20,000th time that he loves me, there's a part of me that asks "Does he really mean that? And will he feel the same tomorrow?" Indeed, it is a hunger that God Himself has put inside the human heart, and God alone can quench it. But not even a simple "I love you" from God one time is enough to satisfy. It is a need that brings us to His feet day after day in an effort to drink and be filled. And God does not withold Himself. But without this constant need in our hearts, would we one day have enough and say we need no more assurance, no more guidance, no more of God's love? And then where would we be? I'm sure we have all at some point in our lives fallen into the deep chasm of trying to live on our own, only to find ourselves lost and destitute. It is that aforementioned weakness that actually keeps us strong in the arms of God.
I am so thankful that God addresses our need for love all throughout His Word. It is a message He repeats time and time again. And if hearing Him say "I love you" is not proof enough that He does, don't forget that whole giving up of His Son for sinners thing.
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. -Isaiah 54:10
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. -Jeremiah 31:3
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children- -Psalm 103:17
No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
-John 16:27
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
-Romans 5:8
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! -1 John 3:1
