DEVOTION / Eternally beloved…

Whether it’s China. Or America. Or anywhere in-between.

 All of us yearn for love and place to be at home with our loved ones.

 I recently heard a story about a mysterious love letter that was never sent. It was penned by the famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven. Sadly, it was not until after his death in 1827 that it was found. The note was written in Beethoven's handwriting. The passion of his love flows from his words: My eternally beloved . . . I can only live either wholly with you or not at all.

 A Tragedy of Love

The intended recipient of this love letter remains unknown. How sad! The letter was never sent. His love was never disclosed. Perhaps whom he loved never even knew. Researchers have failed to discover who it was that so touched this great composer’s life.

 Likely all of us can identify with this man’s desperate yearning for love. We know what it is to seek love and fulfillment in our own lives. We look to the people around us, to experiences, and to all kinds of things to satisfy this inner need. But none can fully satisfy.

 God’s Everlasting Love

 How blessed we are that even in the midst of our search, we have the perfect example of love to look to: our Lord and God!  Through Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet, God declared I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness (31:3).  That everlasting love -- revealed in the pages of the Old Testament – reaches its fulfillment in Jesus our Redeemer. Our ever-loving Savior lived a perfect life, endured painful torture and death, and rose from the grave to save a world of sinners.

 That’s us!

 The great news is that we don’t have to search for love or try to earn it. We’re already loved with an everlasting love . . . by God himself!

Prayer: Loving and faithful God, how blessed we are that Your everlasting love embraces us and covers us with Your forgiveness. Lead us, motivated by Your love, to share this love and hope across our world.

 By Dave Payne