Acts Of Love Modeling God's Love

"Today's Devotion" For September 8, 2005

Read: I John 4:7-21; Psalm 86

ACTS OF LOVE MODELING GOD'S LOVE

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another...We love because He first loved us." (I Jn. 4:11, 19)

Four years ago we Americans faced a terrible and tragic occurrence. The "Twin Towers" in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. were struck by airplanes hijacked by terrorists. Thousands of people died during and after the crashes. Another aircraft was prevented from accomplishing its evil purpose because frightened but courageous men and women forced it to crash in the Pennsylvania countryside. In the face of these tragic and deadly events, we came together as a nation - albeit only for a relatively short time - and courageous acts of love and sacrifice were commonplace, particularly from the rescuers, many of whom lost their lives as well. Money, materials, workers, emergency personnel, and prayers were raised to meet the needs of our fellow citizens.

In the subsequent years a war on terrorism has been joined, the victims of a tsunami in southwest Asia have been served, and a crippling, devastating hurricane has nailed the Gulf Coast of our nation. From the front lines in Afghanistan and Iraq, while not widely reported in the media, come accounts of great bravery and great compassion exhibited by our troops. Soldiers and Marines have returned with stories of caring for orphans and old people, providing rations, and performing acts of kindness and love in the face of always impending calamity and death. Countless volunteers and professional rushed to the aid of the victims of the tsunami this past winter. The sacrifices made, the danger faced, and the love and compassion they showed to perfect strangers testifies to the depth of character of so many of our countrymen and women. Over the past week, acts of bravery, compassion, love, and concern have been the order of the day for thousands of volunteers who have gove south to rescue the stranded, feed the hungry, cloth the naked, and house the homeless.

All over the nation, those who have lost everything are being welcomed into the homes and neighborhoods of complete strangers far from home. People are offering opportunities for the victims to get back on their feet and begin a new life. Between the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and countless other religious relief organizations, food, clothing, medical supplies and care, counseling, and housing have been poured out. What a marvelous outpouring of love and blessing! It's a real testament to the fabric of this nation and its people.

Without, however, God's own great example of loving and caring for humanity, even in its worst condition, none of us would know how to love or care for others. St. Paul reminds us that "while we were still enemies" of God, Christ died for us. To our Father in heaven, regardless of the ugliness of our sins and unbelief, humanity was, and is, so very precious to Him that He will do all He can to bring us back into a saving, loving relationship with Him. Throughout every storm and trial in life He blesses us with everything we need. He showers His blessings upon "the just and the unjust." It makes no difference to Him whether we're rich or poor, strong or weak, influential or common; His love still comes in abundance and His forgiveness is still matchless for all who believe in Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

Every human act of love and concern for a neighbor has its root in God's love for the world. His loving kindness is reflected in our loving and caring for others. His love is reflected in acts of sacrifice and putting oneself in danger for the sake of others, even total strangers. By God's grace and blessing, by His power and strength, we carry out acts of love modeling His love knowing that He will bless others through us.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for Your great love for me, even though I've never earned it or deserved it. My sins would keep me from Your love and lead me to acts of selfishness and disregard for others. Yet in Your forgiveness and love, I have an example of what it means to love and care for others, regardless of their "comeliness." By Your grace and mercy I have been privileged to see Your hand at work in the lives of people in need through the loving acts of my fellow human beings. By the power of Your Word and Spirit, strengthen my faith in Christ as my Savior and Lord that I might carry out acts of love toward others, mirroring Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness toward me. Bless all the efforts put in by people to love others so that through those acts of love, Your blessings might be known. In Jesus precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.