“Put me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. “Many waters cannot quench love, nor will rivers overflow it; if a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, it would be utterly despised.” (Songs of Solomon 8:6-7 NASB)
It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and I am sure that you have been thinking about what you are going to give that special someone. Can you remember what it was like in elementary school when this day came around? My parents were accustomed to going to Wal-Mart every Friday Night after my dad came home from work. It was our shopping night and the night that I most often got in trouble for wandering around the store and trying to get $5 out of my dad for a toy. However when this time of year came around, my parents found it amusing I am sure that I wanted to buy a box of $2 cards and share them with my classmates. I loved to give, and most importantly at that time, get a card in return. Everyone in the class shared and was happy when the cards were placed on their desk. It was exciting, freeing and a rush of child-like love at least for one-hour on one day of the year!
Love letters have been passed around for hundreds of years. There is not a single one of us that has not received or written one to a high school sweetheart or to your husband or wife. Even before Shakespeare’s play of Romeo and Juliet, love has been a powerful force. Love unites and draws people together to the point of death but hatred divides and scatters. Have you ever seen a love that was as strong as death? The greatest story of love and redemption has been written by God when He revealed His love through the sacrificial and substitutionary death of His Son, Jesus Christ, on our behalf. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). He came to die on the cross that He might restore those who repent of their sins and trust Him by faith. His love letter was not written with ink from a pen, but with His precious blood that was spilt on Calvary’s cross.
The love of God for mankind goes beyond just saving us from the torments of Hell. Hell was prepared for the devil and His angels, yet those who continue to hate God and His Son will spend eternity there as well. Salvation by grace through faith saves us from ourselves and the sin that separated us from experiencing the priceless pleasure of God’s extravagant love. We can know God’s love today and be with Him for all of eternity. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
What do you think will make Heaven, Heaven? Will it be the gates of pearl or streets of gold? What about God’s throne or the sapphire, jasper, or emerald walls of the new city? If you are only looking for the gold and jewels of heaven then you have missed the point. Heaven will be heaven because God is there dwelling among His people. It will be filled with people from every kindred, tongue, people and nation. Oh, how we need God’s grace and love that we might share this good news with our enemies, acquaintances, friends and family members. If you find yourself needing to be lifted up and loved, read God’s love letter to you, remember what He has done on the cross and the promises He’s made and write an encouraging letter to someone else. Giving liberates the heart and whoever said that showing love has to be confined to one day. Remember its not the monetary price that you pay but the depth of your heart that you reveal.
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