Taking God’s love for granted
"I have loved you,” says the LORD. “But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?"(NIV) Malachi 1:2a
One thing that would be nearly upsetting to the children of Israel, was to be reminded of God’s love for them by a prophet (Deuteronomy 6:4-8; Malachi 1:2) in their forgetfulness. Even so, when from generation to generation (and at the family level) God’s love and great workings were told and even witnessed (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). Therefore, to wonder and question, “How has God loved us?”, tells it all, that indeed something was amiss. (Luke 24:29)
The Israelites had already suffered multiple captivities (by the Assyrians and the Babylonians). At the time of this conversation though, in Malachi, Israel was free from captors but was suffering while the other nations were swimming in prosperity. Poverty was the order of the day, which caused God’s love to be doubted and actually explained away. But God’s position to Israel remained, “I have loved you”.
How different is it in our time too? Has God not loved us as real as day and night? Are we to deny God’s love at the face of trouble? On the side of God, He does not love because it a good season: His love is rather an all-season business. To be mortal is to have to deal with troubles of life ( Job 14:1). However, no displeasure or great prize can compare with the reward that is from God, both now and heavenward (Romans 6:23b, 8:18,28; 1Corinthians 2:9).
As the world faces unprecedented challenges in recent times, so are we likely to have to deal with our personal struggles too. Let us do well to acknowledge God’s love in our lives by loving Him back until there is no more room to take God’s love for granted. Stay loved.