A couple of days ago, we looked at dynamic love from Song of Solomon, chapter 8, and verse 6, “love like a most vehement flame.” John the Baptist was a burning and shining light, and we ought to be on fire for God. And then yesterday, we looked at verse 7, “many waters cannot quench love.” There will be disappointments in life, in your relationships, and you got to stay faithful through those times, and then watch what God can do as you do so.
But today, I want to look at a deep abiding love. The Bible says here in Song of Solomon 8 and verse 6, it talks about coals of fire. And I pondered that a little bit several years ago. My family and I lit a fire in our fireplace at home, and we had a family evening together. It was a wonderful night. And as the night wore on, the family went to bed. And I remember heading to bed and seeing that fire; it looked like it was going out. So I waited until the fire basically went out, and you couldn’t see any flames anymore.
The next morning I got up and I had my devotions. I’m sure I was there at least by five o’clock the next morning and I’m sure I was there till probably at least seven. So for a couple of hours just in the Word of God and prayer and the fire had still gone out. There was no flames there in the fireplace. I got ready for the day and I’m heading out the door about quarter to eight and I look over in the fireplace and the flame is burning again and that log is burning again. I couldn’t believe it. I walked through the house. I asked each of the kids, did you light a fire? They said no. I talked to my wife, did you light a fire? She said no. And what I come to realize was while the flame went out there was still a coal burning deep within that log. And you know just the right time it got enough oxygen and the flame took off again. And that’s what deep love can do.
Deep love can create that new love, that beautiful love. That fresh love. Like Revelation talks about, don’t leave your first love, that dynamic love, it’s beautiful. And so I want to encourage you today, you’ve got to go through the disappointed love phase, if you would, where water is maybe thrown on your scenario or your situation in life or the circumstances of life as the devil will try to discourage you in your love for the Lord or your love for your spouse.
If you’ll make it through those disappointed phases, you’ll learn to have a deeper love for the Lord. If you study the love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, it talks about love doesn’t think any evil. It doesn’t jump to conclusions, you know. And love is patient and love endures and love is kind. Take some time to ponder these truths and realize that God desires for us not to just love Him with a dynamic love, not just to love Him with a love that endures disappointment, but to love Him with a deep abiding love. That’s really what Jesus was asking Peter in John, chapter 21 when he said, “Peter, do you love me?” He’s saying, “Peter, do you have that deep, deep abiding love?” And I want to challenge you as a child of God.
Let’s have a deep abiding love. Let’s not be detoured by disappointments and difficulties and obstacles. Let’s love one another as Christ loved the church and let’s love the Lord and serve Him with our lives.
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John Evertson, GSBC Campus Pastor
In June 2000, after graduating from Golden State Baptist College, John Evertson answered the call to pastor West Valley Baptist Church in Woodland, California. After 19 years, God moved Pastor and Mrs. Evertson to Santa Clara. Pastor Evertson is instrumental in the church and serves as the Campus Pastor for Golden State Baptist College to help guide the future servants of God. Pastor & Mrs. Evertson have four children — Josiah, Jeremiah, Joy, and Joshua.
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