How Do We Know God Loves Us?

O. T. #2160  "How Do We Know God Loves Us?"

March 30, 2022

Jonah 1-Part 6

LET IT GLOW

How do we know that God loves us?

... for God is love. (I John 4:8)

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. (verse 9)

I wonder if during this time of year, Easter, more people think about Jesus and what He did, dying on the cross and rising again. No other sacrifice could take away our sins. The blood sacrifice of animals in the Old Testament only covered up their sin.It is Jesus' blood (He was a perfect sacrifice) that washes away our sins and makes our soul clean before a Holy God. Have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins yet? Do you believe in Him and trust Jesus to be your Savior?

Jesus came so we might have eternal life through Him. Now that is the icing on the cake. Knowing Jesus brings peace in our soul, feeling important and loved. Don't miss out on the blessing of having Jesus walk with you throughout the day and night. And don't miss out on heaven, dear one.

What is John telling us about love?

1. Love is visible. God revealed His love in Jesus.
2. Love is an act of the will: God sent His Son. To love someone requires a decision to act on his behalf.
3. Love is sacrificial. It cost God His one and only Son. He didn't throw us His leftovers; He provided His best. He saw our deepest need and gave Himself. (The Tony Evans Bible Commentary)

No other source can satisfy the soul but Jesus. He is alive and well today.

LET IT GROW

We left Jonah in the bottom of a ship and in the midst of a violent storm. The sailors had tried everything they knew to keep them safe. They prayed to their pagan gods to no avail. They threw the cargo overboard, but it didn't help. If the ship fell apart, all would die at sea.

Jonah had told the sailors that he was a Hebrew and feared the LORD, the God of heaven, which made the sea and the dry land. (verse 9)

Those men were exceedingly afraid and asked Jonah why he fled from the presence of the LORD. They asked Jonah what to do with him so the sea would calm again. (verses 10-11)

Jonah told them to throw him into the sea and it would become calm again. He even admitted that terrible storm was his fault. (verse 12)

The pagan sailors rowed harder so they didn't have to do that, but finally they had no choice-throw Jonah off the ship. When they did, the sea calmed. How obvious it was that God is in control and He was their only hope of survival.

Is your life falling apart? What is your hope placed in-Jesus or things, money, job, people? Sometimes Jesus has to pin us up, when we hit rock bottom, before we look up to the Rock that is higher than we are.

Sweet friend, Jesus is our only hope to get to heaven, for He is the only Way. (John 14:6-7)

LET IT GO

Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

Yes, Jesus loves you, too.

Will you trust Him as your Savior today?

Will you trust Him to be all you ever need?