Deuteronomy 7:8

"Handfuls of Purpose"

For All Gleaners

"The Lord loved you." Deu 7:8

The word love is an Old Testament word. It would not be difficult to show that the tenderest expressions ever used by heaven to earth are reported not in the New Testament but in the Old. It is not enough for the people to know that their Lord is almighty, because power may become a terror. Not only power belongeth unto God but also mercy: this is the complete aspect of the divine nature. That the Lord loved Israel was shown by long-suffering, by hopeful patience, by pouring down blessing upon blessing, notwithstanding the ingratitude of the people; it would seem as if even sin itself was hardly allowed to block out the light of heaven. The love of God is the true interpretation of the history of man in all its movement towards nobility and spiritual sovereignty and rest. Nothing but love could account for the continuance of the world under all its sinfulness and ingratitude. It is love that explains the greatest revelations of God. It is love that explains the Cross of Jesus Christ. It is love that explains the assured progress of redeemed and sanctified souls. The love of God" excludes all other claims to his attention and interest: thus we are not allowed to say that God's favours come to us on account of our merit, or ancestry, or excellence above others; whatever we have is of the free mercy and love of God. The love which explains all the past is the surest guarantee of all the future. Love never changes. What is true of divine love in the soul is true of that same love in God himself; it hopeth all things, endureth all things, believeth all things, it never faileth. It is our joy to believe in a God of love; nay, in our highest moods we do not regard love as an attribute of God, but we say God himself is love. Love does not exclude discipline. Love does not exclude anger. But on the other side, neither discipline nor anger changes or diminishes the love of God. "Good when he gives, supremely good; not less when he denies."