The word “love” is used a lot these days. I’ve noticed young people saying, “Love you!” when they leave or part company. Love is expressed by total strangers, at times through cards or letters. So, I was wondering, what is “love”? Here is one of many definitions that I found in the dictionary: “Love is an intense feeling of affection and care towards another person.”

Recently, I experienced an outpouring of love as I prepared for a major operation. PresbyCan published a couple of my devotionals about that in late December and early January, and the replies, listed below each devotional, were simply amazing! People wrote me from literally all over the world. I also put a request on the PrayerLine, to which hundreds responded. It was overwhelming, to say the least, as so many people expressed their love and prayers for both me and my wife, even though they don’t know me other than through my writings. It was such a great comfort and a humbling experience. People mentioned that I was on their prayer chain and that I was being prayed for in their churches, and I thank them all.

At the end of January, Greta walked to the end of our street to get the mail. There was a parcel from Florida, USA, and it contained a teddy bear holding a heart with the word “Love” on it. On the back, there was a tag reading, “This bear has been loved and cared for by the congregation of Gulfport Presbyterian Church. It has heard the Word read, prayers prayed, songs of praise, and the sermon preached. Now it comes to you with the blessings of worship and love.” It was love and prayer by total strangers — but brothers and sisters in Christ.

Love is to characterize our relationship with God, as well. Jesus told one of the scribes that this is the most important commandment:

“Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.'”

(Mark 12:29-31 NKJV)

But most of all, God’s divine love for us was expressed when He sent His Son to die on the cross for all of us.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

(John 3:16 NKJV)

The expression of love by so many was such a great comfort to us during difficult days. If you hear of or know someone who is struggling, please consider contacting them and telling them that you will pray for them. It will be appreciated. Believe me, I know!

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we thank You for all the fine people who pray for each other during times of stress and difficulties. Most of all, we thank You for Your Son Jesus, Who came to comfort all of us who believe in Him. Amen.

Copyright © 2022, by Joel Jongkind <austria67@bmts.com>, first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca .
Meaford, Ontario, Canada

Reprinted from PresbyCan with author’s permission