He Loves You More Than Anything

I have a song stuck in my head! It’s a good song; the lyrics are wonderful, uplifting and filled with promise. But I can’t get it out of my head. Has that ever happened to you? I wake up singing it, I go to sleep singing it, I’m singing it as I type. I decided maybe I am supposed to write about it; maybe that will help.

This past weekend at church we had a guest speaker and then that night for Cowboy Church he was also the guest singer. His name is David Schwinghammer and he and his wife Ingrid have been guests in our church on several occasions. David and his wife are soon moving back to Canada and as we reflected on our time spent together, it occurred to most, that we probably will not see each other again, well, not until heaven that is.

One of the songs David sang has the lyrics:

God loves people more than anything

God loves people more than anything

More than anything he wants

Them to know

He'd rather die than let them go

'Cause God loves people more than anything

Those 34 words have played over and over and over in my mind since Saturday night. But what do they really mean?

Those 34 words echo a powerful message of God's love for humanity, and it's a theme that echoes throughout the Bible.

God's love for people is a central and recurring theme in scripture. It is beautifully illustrated by numerous verses about His unwavering love and His desire for a close relationship with us.

One of the most famous verses is John 3:16:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

But please, please do not miss verse 17! Because Jesus also told Nicodemus in that same breath: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

These two verses demonstrate God's profound love by highlighting the sacrifice of Jesus for the salvation of humanity. And not just the sacrifice, but the reason for such a thing.

We see examples of God's love and faithfulness in verses such as Deuteronomy 7:9, "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments."

God's love is linked to His faithfulness in keeping His promises! He is a faithful God!

Another beautiful passage about God's love can be found in Romans 8:38-39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Those words reaffirm that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Oh yes, we can choose to walk away, but it will never be He that turns His back or ceases to love.

The lyrics in that song, ‘More Than Anything’, really capture the essence of these verses: God's unending love for people. They remind us that God's love is the greatest force in the universe, overtaking any challenge or obstacle. With God on our side, we got this!

The Bible teaches us about the depths of God's love for us and how we are called to respond to that love with faith and devotion. It is a message that continues to offer hope and comfort, drawing people everywhere closer to God's heart.

The song continues:

When they're too weak to try

He feels their pain, he knows their shame

He cries with those who cry

He won't give up or walk away

When other people do

'Cause God loves people more than anything

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 tells us, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." ESV

I love this message! God the Father says, I will comfort you; in turn, you comfort others. Our Heavenly Abba cares so very deeply about us.

“…God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10 ESV

Propitiation. I have heard this word many times during my life, but could I tell you the exact meaning? I could come close, given the context of the verse, but let’s look at that quickly.

Propitiation is the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross, where His sacrifice satisfied the divine justice and reconciled humanity with God.

Jesus, through His death, took upon Himself the punishment and wrath that humanity deserves for their sins, thereby making reconciliation between God and humanity possible. Propitiation is the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

Yes, Jesus loves people more than anything. He said in John 17:24: "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world." ESV

Jesus was expressing to God the Father, His desire that we, His followers, may be with Him where He is and behold His glory. This prayer reflects His deep love for us and His longing for us to be in His presence.

Friend, whatever you have going on in your life, please remember this above all else, you are loved deeply! You are cared for and there is a plan for your life now and for eternity.

Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

God loves people more than anything!

by Jeanette Stark – Wednesday, October 11, 2023