Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

I’m a sharer – not necessarily with super personal things – but, if I come across a post on Instagram about a sale for fall-scented candles, a simple recipe for chocolate chip pumpkin pancakes, or a guide to the best fall road trip, you better believe that I am sharing (maybe even oversharing) with friends. I just love the fall season and want to share it with others! When you have good news, learn something amazing, or LOVE something, what is your first instinct? I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to tell my people about it! 

In Deuteronomy 6, God commands His people to love Him and follow His commands. But not only that – He commands them to teach their children, put it on their doorposts, wear it on their foreheads – God called them to make it KNOWN that they love Him and that HE LOVED US FIRST! 

From Genesis to Exodus to Deuteronomy, we see where God first showed His love to the Israelites. The Lord made a covenant promise with Abraham to make him the Father of many nations; He saved His people from starvation through Joseph’s position in Egypt, and 400 years later, when His people had been enslaved, God rescued them and led them out of slavery and into the Promised Land. God didn’t leave them in the desert when they rebelled and grumbled. He gave them the Law, not as a list to condemn them, but as a reminder of their need for a Savior. He didn’t leave them in their sinfulness but made a way to repent and atone for their sins with a sacrificial system. This was still a hard way to live, but in His love, God prepared a better way even then. We even see signs of Jesus and His future sacrifice and God’s promise to make a way for His people to be saved, restored, and justified for all eternity through a saving faith in His Son, Jesus (Come back tomorrow for more on this). 

God loved the Israelites. He demonstrated His love by saving them over and over again. He showed His love by delivering on promises made to their ancestors. He never left them, even when life was unspeakably hard. He gave His love to the Israelites so that it could be shared with others, and He gave His love to us so that it could be shared with others. Through His unchanging love alone, others can be eternally changed.  

So, how can we love like Him? One way in which we see God love His people is by reminding them of how He has cared for them, saved them, and made them HIS people. As saved, adopted, redeemed children of God, that love has been shared with us, and WE are commanded to share it with others. We love others by sharing His love! We love our kids by teaching them God’s love. We love our neighbors, friends, and family by telling them of God’s love for us. When we love our God, we tell people about His love!  

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus has commanded His followers to share the story of His Father’s love one person, one conversation, one moment at a time. So how will you love others today?

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Think of someone you know who doesn't have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
• How can you show the love of God to that person this week?
• Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the love that You have shown us through Your Son, Jesus. Show us who needs to know the love of God this week. In Jesus' name, Amen.