Ephesians 2:4
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,”
The last entry was on this verse and how God is love. Today the focus is still on His love. We will look at it's greatness.
Science has uncovered some incredible facts. In the area of small things, we've learned that the dna code is complex. Bill Gates says it's far more complex than any computer code. We all agree that a computer couldn't have randomly been assembled itself. A programmer was necessary. So, if dna is more complex, then all living things were created and programmed by our great God.
Scientific research on large things tell us that there are a hundred billion stars in our galaxy and that there are a 100 billion galaxies. God did that. These facts are so great, we have a difficult time absorbing them. God's power and abilities are far, far beyond our grasp.
His love is equally as large. Peter heard Jesus' words about forgiveness and how gracious they were to be. Peter attempted to make sense of this and asked question. 'Then Peter came up and said to Him, “Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times,' (Matthew 18:21, 22). Peter must have been astonished. Like the galaxies, that vast amount of forgiveness isn't human.
David is writing a psalm to the Lord and is overwhelmed by God's great love. "How precious also are Your thoughts for me, God! How vast is the sum of them. If I were to count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You", (Psalm 138:17,18). If we were to list the traits that we appreciate about our loved ones, we would generate a dozen or so. God's loving thoughts towards each of us create an innumerable list. Again, like the galaxies, we can't absorb the greatness of His love.
God's love can be seen in His plans for us. Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but the Lord directs his steps", (Proverbs 19:21). We have may dreams and goals. Some of them would be harmful if they were realized. If we give God control He will direct our steps. To ponder this it's simply amazing. To pay an advisor or a life coach would be expensive. The high level ones wouldn't be attainable. Yet we have the almighty, all wise God.
To look closer at His guidance is even more wonderful. He made and knows us. Therefore He knows what's best for us. Some of our dreams would be harmful and would drain us. His plan would be described as fulness of joy. Another aspect of His guidance is that He can change circumstances and other to fulfill His plan. This shows us how much He values us.
Any discussion about His love wouldn't be complete if His sacrifice wasn't addressed. We were lost in sin with no ability to save ourselves. The result would have been us lost for eternity. Philippians 2:7, 8 tells us what He did, "But He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." He didn't create a being to do it for us, He did it Himself. Amazing love.
Thank You God for Your great love.