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Section 1: Yehuveh’s Love, Article 1 Yehuveh’s Everlasting Love for Us “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3. |
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pril wanted a baby sister more than anything in the world. She had been praying and praying and praying for a sister for as long as she could remember. Now, just a little past her fifth birthday her mom had called her into the bedroom to tell her a secret: they would have a new baby in just a few | |||||
months, but she didn’t know yet if it was a brother or sister. April smiled, she had a quiet confidence that she would have her baby sister! She was certain her prayers would be answered, and already she loved her sister. She could hardly wait. [A few months later, April’s prayers were answered! She had a baby sister to love! She even got to help name her!] Eva had been quarrelsome in the morning, upset by some small difference of opinion. It all seemed so petty and distant now. Less than an hour ago now, Carlos had been arrested and taken into custody. She had no idea why or when he would be released again. Her mind raced. She felt a gaping emptiness inside as she tried to sort through the thoughts and feelings which raged through her. All she knew was that she loved Carlos and missed him desperately. When would they be together again? [Carlos’s arrest was the result of a mistaken identity. Still, it was several weeks before the situation was resolved. Eva was forever changed by the traumatic separation. Her love for Carlos was deepened and settled. All fretfulness vanished from her thoughts toward him. When they were together again, their marriage was forever changed by the incident. Their love was sealed and tender.] Yokiko leaned over her grandfather and tenderly kissed him on the forehead. Seeing him so very ill and weak made her sad. She brushed away a tear and sat down beside his bed, taking his hand in both of hers. He opened his eyes and managed a weak smile. She felt him squeeze her hands, though his grip was very feeble. He didn’t try to speak. [Yokiko’s grandfather died the next morning. Yokiko’s heart ached beyond words. She had been so close to Grandpa. She knew he had loved her with an intensity she couldn’t even describe. How many days she had spent with him learning everything from how to tie her shoes to how to cast a fishing line! How she missed him.] Abdul and Omid had been best friends since childhood. They were seldom apart and their experiences had taught them to rely on each other with a confidence deeper than brotherhood. Both from wealthy families, they each knew their parents wanted only the best for them, but the situation ahead was agonizingly painful to both of them. Omid’s father had determined to send him abroad for his college education and the young men knew it meant not only the years in undergraduate and graduate studies, but likely career paths which would never bring them back together. As they stood talking at the airport, neither of them had the heart to say good-bye. The ache each felt at parting was beyond words. [Omid completed medical school and advanced work, married, and opened a very successful practice in eastern Europe. Once established, he made a goal of visiting Abdul every second or third year. Their close bonds from childhood irresistibly drew them together, and again their friendship flourished, in spite of the years and distance between them.] Whether the wide variety of forms taken by family devotion, the deep bonds of lasting friendship, or even the affection we feel for a pet, love is central to all that gives our lives meaning. No wonder then, that our relationship with Yehuveh depends on the constant assurance of His ceaseless love for us. Jeremiah assures us: “Yehuveh hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” What a precious sureness! What an awesome certainty! Yehuveh loves us! In spite of every choice of our past life, we are invited to “return unto Yehuveh thy Elohim,” knowing His response will be: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him.” Jeremiah 31:3; Hosea 14:1, 4. Gael Bataman Originally Written: 6 September 2009 Latest Update: 6 September 2009 Complete Study Guide to Article 1 How Do We Find This Love? How Does Yehuveh Show His Love for Us? How are We to Respond to Yehuveh’s Love? Texts Stating Yehuveh’s Love for Us Return to Zadok Home Continue Article 1 . . . Go to Section 1: Love Go to Historical Calendar Go to Daniel 11-12 Go to Revelation Go to Years of Returning (Darius) |