Joy and Security | Part Four
Key Thought | God’s perfect love invites us out of shame and into quiet, confident communion with Him.
Key Scripture | “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.” —1 John 4:16–19 (NLT)
Thank you for journeying with me this week. I don’t know if this has been more helpful for our church or for me, but I do know it has been a gift to write in this season.
Today we come to the final portion of our passage: “If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”
Shame causes us to hide. It causes us to run from God instead of running to Him. Maybe it’s partly the way we’re raised, but before we place blame too quickly, it’s worth remembering the beginning. A perfect Father placed two children in a perfect environment, and they chose to hide as well.
We are all susceptible to shame when we give our ear to the enemy. When his voice slips into the echo chamber of our hearts, it can easily drown out the tender voice of our Father.
One reason, I believe, is that the enemy shouts while God whispers. God whispers because He desires closeness, nearness to His heart.
I was recently at a restaurant with some friends when a large Christmas party walked in. They were having a great time, but before long, the noise was so loud that our table of four had to shout just to hear one another. God rarely shouts. He whispers. And if we want to hear His whisper, it requires a quiet place. or better yet, a quiet soul.
“We love each other because he loved us first.”
Perhaps the foundation of all true belief is remembering that the Father initiated this relationship. I didn’t pursue Him first; He pursued me. I am simply responding to His love.
We forget that sometimes. We forget that He loved us enough to leave heaven and come to earth so that we might know Him. That He would choose to dwell with us.
The greatest invitation the world has ever known is found in Revelation, spoken by Jesus Himself:
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” —Revelation 3:20 (NLT)
Do you hear that? Someone is standing at the door, knocking. His name is Jesus. Let Him in. Sit with Him. Share a meal.
I think you’ll be amazed, not only by what He says, but also by what He doesn’t say.
Prayer | Jesus, thank You for pursuing me first and inviting me into friendship with You. Where shame has caused me to hide, help me run toward You instead. Quiet my soul so I can hear Your voice and experience Your perfect love more fully. Amen.
Reflection
Key Scripture | “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.” —1 John 4:16–19 (NLT)
Thank you for journeying with me this week. I don’t know if this has been more helpful for our church or for me, but I do know it has been a gift to write in this season.
Today we come to the final portion of our passage: “If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”
Shame causes us to hide. It causes us to run from God instead of running to Him. Maybe it’s partly the way we’re raised, but before we place blame too quickly, it’s worth remembering the beginning. A perfect Father placed two children in a perfect environment, and they chose to hide as well.
We are all susceptible to shame when we give our ear to the enemy. When his voice slips into the echo chamber of our hearts, it can easily drown out the tender voice of our Father.
One reason, I believe, is that the enemy shouts while God whispers. God whispers because He desires closeness, nearness to His heart.
I was recently at a restaurant with some friends when a large Christmas party walked in. They were having a great time, but before long, the noise was so loud that our table of four had to shout just to hear one another. God rarely shouts. He whispers. And if we want to hear His whisper, it requires a quiet place. or better yet, a quiet soul.
“We love each other because he loved us first.”
Perhaps the foundation of all true belief is remembering that the Father initiated this relationship. I didn’t pursue Him first; He pursued me. I am simply responding to His love.
We forget that sometimes. We forget that He loved us enough to leave heaven and come to earth so that we might know Him. That He would choose to dwell with us.
The greatest invitation the world has ever known is found in Revelation, spoken by Jesus Himself:
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” —Revelation 3:20 (NLT)
Do you hear that? Someone is standing at the door, knocking. His name is Jesus. Let Him in. Sit with Him. Share a meal.
I think you’ll be amazed, not only by what He says, but also by what He doesn’t say.
Prayer | Jesus, thank You for pursuing me first and inviting me into friendship with You. Where shame has caused me to hide, help me run toward You instead. Quiet my soul so I can hear Your voice and experience Your perfect love more fully. Amen.
Reflection
- Where has shame caused me to withdraw from God instead of drawing near?
- What might it look like to quiet my soul enough to hear His whisper?
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