The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. – Jeremiah 31:3
Among the myriad of scenes that crowd the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, one has received the title “The Creation of Adam.” In it, the fingertip of God reaches out to touch the fingertip of Adam, symbolizing giving Adam the gift of life. However, when you take another look, God, as the artist depicted Him, is not just extending his hand toward Adam, His muscles are taught as He appears to strain from the angelic courts of heaven to reach a man who appears almost disinterested. Though it would take very little effort from the man to lift his languid body and grasp the hand of the Lord, a distance remains. It is the perfect representation of the condition of humanity: God reaching out, giving everything He has, to touch humankind, and the response is weak ambivalence.
The prophet Jeremiah reminds you in today’s verse that God’s love is everlasting. It is eternal. It is loyal. From Genesis to Revelation, the entirety of Scripture is the story of God’s unending love. His love is demonstrated to you each day. God’s love is overwhelming and all-consuming. Pastor Rick Ezell says, “There is nowhere we can go to escape His love. There is no problem that we will encounter that is not touched by His love. … Even when our world falls apart, we can cry, ‘God, I don’t know why this is happening. I don’t understand it, but I’m sure glad to know you love me!’” Importantly, Paul confirms that nothing will ever be able to separate you from God’s love in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39).
In that Sistine Chapel painting, God reaches out to an individual. It is the same today. His love extends to all, but it also extends to each. His love is personal and requires a personal response. The proof of His love is the gift of His Son Jesus, who died to rescue your life for eternity (Romans 5:8). Grasp the hand of God extended toward you. Pray for the hearts of officials in government to yearn for that eternal, abundant love also.
Today’s Verse: Jeremiah 31:3
the Lord appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 103:11-19
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
