Let’s face it – 2020 has been a strange year.
But God was not surprised by all the events that have happened.

Would you join me in a four-week countdown to Thanksgiving?
When we stop for a moment, we realize we have much to be thankful for.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.“

(Jeremiah 31:3b, English Standard Version)

As I think about God and my thankfulness to Him, the first thing that often comes to mind is His unconditional, unfailing love.

When God says “I have loved you with an everlasting love”, this is not a new revelation to the people God was speaking to, nor was it a recent discovery on God’s part. This love, both as a verb (action – doing) and a noun (character trait – being) is intrinsic to and the very essence of who God is.

The second phrase of verse 3 (“I have continued my faithfulness to you”) refers to a deep and abiding relationship between God and His people. This relationship is not with the chains of enslavement, but the heart-bonds of love. Hosea 11:4 expresses this as an adult who loves a child and bends down to hold them cheek-to-cheek and feed them.

Some may argue that this passage in Jeremiah was written to the ancient people of Israel, and does not apply to us in a very different time in history. The first part is true – God was saying this to ancient Israel. But God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever – He loves people today (you and me) with the same love that He loved the people back then.

Here’s another translation of the same passage that may be an encouragement:

“I have loved you with a love that lasts forever. So I have helped you come to Me with loving-kindness.”

(Jeremiah 31:3b, New Life Version)

Lord, thank you for reaching out to us and drawing us to Yourself, as a parent lovingly draws a child into their arms.

Lord, Your love is unconditional and everlasting – there is no limit to Your love, in quantity, in quality, or in length of time.

Lord, may I experience the overflow of your love so that I can share Your love with others and love them well as our paths cross today.

Amen.

Thankful for His unfailing love,
~kevin