Tender Love

As the father of four, no one has ever asked me why or if I love my children (and I’ll never admit to having wondered that myself). That parents will love their children is just assumed. But, some parents don’t. I read once of a woman who left her newborn child in an orange grove to die. Such an act is unthinkable to us. By God’s grace, the child was found and nursed to health.

So, man’s love for his fellow man is rational. It makes sense. On the other hand, God’s love for his people is hard to understand. David mused, “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:4). Similarly, Paul wrote that the love of Christ “surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:19). Knowing, as we do, how full of sinful, rebellious thoughts and desires we are, we cannot fathom how an infinitely holy God could have any affection for us. 

But Scripture assures us that God has an abiding and affectionate love for his children. Listen to the words of Hosea, “Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them” (Hosea 11:3-4).  

Dear Christian, I hope you marvel at the fact God chooses the tender image of a parent’s love for a child to illustrate his love in Christ for you. God loves you because he has chosen to love you, not because you are lovable. His love is an act of will. But his love is also real love, not cold and lifeless. 

Hosea 11 reminds us that God’s love is all-at-once, unchangeable, unmerited, and affectionate. The love of God is true love. His love doesn’t wax and wane. Jehovah has tender love for his people. It’s the kind of love that stoops down and delights in doing so. As you gather ’round with friends and family this Christmas and enjoy the warmth, laughter, and love of this season, reflect on the love of your heavenly Father. As your heart is filled through fellowship with those you love, remember that God’s love is like this, but greater. His love and affection for you, his dear child through Christ, will never fail. Embraced and sustained by the Holy Spirit, not even you can take it away (Romans 8:37-39).