And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16
“Christians, doth it not now stir up your love, to remember all the experiences of His love? Doth not kindness melt you, and the sunshine of divine goodness warm your frozen hearts? What will it do then, when you shall live in love, and have all in Him, who is all? Surely love is both work and wages.”
Richard Baxter (1615-1691) in The Saints Everlasting Rest (Grand Rapids: CCEL) 17.
I have made it safely to Sydney the first of three cities on my ninth visit to this amazing country, Australia. I am a bit tired and glad I planned to rest today.
What do you rely on to sustain you? I want to suggest that physical rest is insufficient. Focus on the love of God. Perhaps listen to the song “How He Loves” by David Crowder.
And don’t miss the point of today’s short and sweet meditation. It’s work to do this, but there is reward or wages that come with the effort.
As ‘kindness’ is my word for the year, I am moved that as I do this, His kindness melts me and divine goodness warms my frozen heart.
So, as I rest today coming off a full set of meetings in New Zealand, I am giving thanks for God’s love and letting it restore me and refill me.
This will, by God’s grace, refresh me for generous service in Australia in Sydney
(9-13 Sept), Brisbane (14-16 Sept), and Melbourne (17-21 Sept).