Wednesday, May 6, 2020 Some material taken from A Shepherding Kind of Love by Van HouserMy sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28
How God’s Love is Like a Mother’s LoveWith Mother’s Day approaching, we are going to focus on some of the analogies we could draw between the love of a mother or parent and the love of God. Today we will look at three ways God’s love is like a mother’s love.
God Loves Each of us Personally. John 10:27a-b My sheep hear My voice, and I know them… We live in a lonely world. So much that is counted as love is artificial. It sometimes seems that we don't really count for much. But there is one place where most of us still are somebody. That is at home. At home we are not simply a number. We are a valued member of the family. A mother hates to be accused of loving one of her children more than the other – or having a favorite. A mother has enough love for all her children. So it is with God. With God we are more than a number - more than a face in the crowd. God loves us with a very personal love. Even the very hair of our head is counted.
God’s Love will Guide Us John 10:27c “and they follow Me”…
Example is the great teacher. Paul wrote to Timothy in his second epistle: "For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother, Lois, and your mother, Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well." II Timothy 1:5 Paul recognized that these examples of living faith had made a distinct impression on this young life. Anytime you are with a child, no matter what you are doing, they are under your influence. Every moment is a teachable moment.
Example is the great teacher. Paul wrote to Timothy in his second epistle: "For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother, Lois, and your mother, Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well." II Timothy 1:5 Paul recognized that these examples of living faith had made a distinct impression on this young life. Anytime you are with a child, no matter what you are doing, they are under your influence. Every moment is a teachable moment.
What causes a child to “follow” a mother? Why do we “follow” Christ?
- We need them. We are born dependent upon them and need them to survive.
- We have a confidence and trust in them.
- A realization that we are accepted (loved) by them. (Jesus does not say that they are made to follow.)
- A recognition that there is success and blessing in that direction. We follow because they know the way.
The Love of God Is a Giving Kind of Love. John 10:28a “I give them eternal life and they will never perish...” The very nature of God is to give. He gave us life in the first place. He sustains our lives with His gifts of sunshine and rain and much more. And when our days are finished on this planet, He gives us eternal life. Jesus once asked, "Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7: 9-11 God is a giving God. He loves us and knows our every need. He will provide, but in His manner and amount. He usually only gives us only exactly what we need.
Much like a mother loves her child, God loves us each individually, with provision for our needs, guiding us, and giving us so many beautiful gifts. It is a love like no other.
