Psalm 8:1
My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in Revelation 1. Verse five came to mind this morning as I thought about the many ways God has shown the proof of His love. As I began creating a list, the Spirit interrupted me with Revelation 1:5-6:
Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Immediately, I confessed my list was, shall we say, lacking in substance. He checked that thought too: “Giving thanks for all things” is good (Ephesians 5:20). He was not checking my spirit for seeing His love in the things for which I thanked Him; He was pointing to the underlying thought that these things proved His love. He has proved His love; it requires no further evidence. The daily goodness He shows me is not the “proof of His love,” it is the ongoing blessings of a proven love.
Along the still waters, I reflected on this great truth. He proved His love on the cross! That settled my salvation, and satisfies me so fully, it carries me through every occasion when doubt interrupts my peace. When shadows obscure the glory, I need only look to the Cross to be reminded of the proof of His love.
What is the proof of mine? I remembered what is written: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). I heard the Spirit whisper: “Lovest thou Me” (John 21:16).
In the valley, shadowed by His cross, I heard Him say, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Among the many things finished on that day was the proof of His love.
When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He brought forth life. But “Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:15). The word translated finish in the James reference includes a prefix that gives the word a nuance of something done and put away, “to complete entirely” (Strong G0658). It suggests the idea of something someone has done and then moved on. The word translated as ‘finish’ in John 19:30 refers to something that is completed and remains. The proof is completed, the love continues.
I heard the Spirit say, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). And immediately after, the sound of many waters landed a wave upon the shores of my heart that delivered the echo of His ancient call: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). I thought, there it is. The proof of His love is the Cross, and daily taking up my cross is the proof of mine. I sang, “I love you, LORD, and I lift my voice…”
At the table, He anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace. We walked together into the harvest. Goodness and mercy followed close.
Praying for revival! 🙏
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