Gates of the City

My greatest prayer is that all the members of my family would come to a personal revelation of not only God’s great love for the world, but for each of them individually. That even if it was only them, God would have still sent His son and Jesus would have given Himself for them with no less resolve then He did for the whole world.

So while alone watching last night a display of God’s majesty in a lightning storm off in the distant sky I begin to think of that GREAT love wherewith He has loved me and faithfully continues to reveal Himself to me. As I sat alone in the dark I began to think on those two words, “Great Love,” and as I did with each letter in the word “great” I began to how they define that love God desires to share with those who would only stop and listen to Him.

For the letter “G” it was obvious that God’s love is most evident in that He “gave” His Son, but also in that He gave us life, and the ability to learn and love. With that I thanked God that He gave me a wife where I might grasp the both the joys and sorrows of love, in having become one with my wife in so many ways that I only feel fulfilled as a man with we’re side by side and the sorrow of having to be apart, be it circumstantial or because of a disagreement that needs to be worked through and resolved.

I also love the fact that God designed us male and female and that the celebration of our love results in the growth of our family and that God has blessed us with our four sons. Each of them unique and special, stirring with in my heart a special pride and joy in each of them, which helps me to realize how God is able to appreciate all of us as well as delight in everyone who comes to Him in faith in a personal and intimate way.

With the letter “R” there were many aspects of His love that came to mind. The first is that while I was dead in my trespasses and sins He still “reached” out for me and like a loving shepherd He lifted me out of a pit of despair and set my feet back on solid ground. After making so many mistakes and having endless regrets, He was faithful to “repair” so many things and relationships that I was sure had been hopelessly damaged, likewise He gently began to “restore” my soul by showing me the things in my heart that were so contrary to Him and life, so that I could see the destructive attitudes of my heart and the deceitfulness of my old desires.

It was only then that I could cry out in agreement with His judgments which enabled me to yield myself wholly to Him at which point He mercifully began to change my heart into one that truly hungered and thirst for His will to be done in my life. But of course there have been countless times I have failed Him and have wept before in anger at myself, only to have Him “renew” me with His presence afresh as He “replaced” my sorrow with gladness time after time.

With the letter “E” comes the revelation, or “enlightenment” that God’s in His love has given me. So many things were so beyond my comprehension that I couldn’t even have asked the proper question to get the answers He has given me to so many problems in my life. He truly knows my needs before I do and in His love has given me “everything” I need. In those trying times of temptations and hardship, God has often “enabled” me to endure such trials patiently, teaching me that I can trust Him always to see me through to where He desires to lead me.

With the letter “A” my first thought was how He has “always” loved me and been there calling me unto Himself. Yet in my old pride of life I stubbornly went my own way struggling to get by and often had to do without even the basics at times struggling to make ends meet. But having come to a personal realization of His great love for me I have learned that He truly does desire to give me “abundant” life, but that it is wisely hidden within Him and His great love. Sadly, so many cannot see what I now see with crystal clarity, that if God has given me His Son, He will also freely give all things that pertain to life and godliness.

Last, but no least, the letter “T.” I have learned God’s love always comes through for His children perfectly on “time.” That so many times I was impatiently wondering where God was in a situation in my life, and just when I was about out of hope and confidence, He was there right on time meeting the situation with precision in both time and substance leaving me ashamed I had been so weak in my faith. But through it all He “taught” me that He will never leave me nor forsake me. I’ve learned His ears hears my cries and in His great love for me He even saves my tears, for even they are precious to Him: especially when they are tears of sorrow shared by His own heart for those who do not know Him as I do.

However, what would probably be greatest thing about God’s great love for me, He constantly works in His grace to “transform” me into the very image of His only begotten Son. To me it is absolutely inconceivable, yet God in His great love for me has allowed me a few precious moments of seeing how Christ is being formed in me; and I am confident what He has begun in me, He will complete.

So, I will again say, my greatest prayer is that each member of my family is that they too will come to their own personal revelation of God’s great love. I earnestly pray that a thousand years from now we will all be standing together worshipping our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Oh God, I pray Lord Jesus, let the circle be unbroken…