Monday, February 11, 2013

02-11-13 What's Love Got To Do With It

Psalm 32:10 "Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him."

What DOES love have to do with it? Relationships especially? EVERYTHING!

Without love what we would it be like? If there was no love in the world only 'the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life' (1 John 2:16).

What is lust? I like the definition I found at the American Heritage Dictionary. It said "An overwhelming desire or craving" or another definition says it better, "a passionate or overmastering desire or craving." Lust makes us no better than my dog that's laying at my feet on the floor (sorry Casper, I still love you).

Lust gives us what? That anxious, overwhelming craving in our flesh for something that is NOT what God intends for us to have. Lust is that feeling you get physically - like a ravenous wolf you've just before you make a choice whether or not to do something that is contrary to God's word.

Notice I put the word 'anxious' in there. It's anxiety... a fear that attaches to lust and grabs ahold of you and will not let go unless you tell it to go. It's a fear that we will not get some need met. At THAT point is where we need to STOP and ask, "what IS my need at this moment?"

Is it someone to care for me? Is it protection? Is it intimacy with another person? Is it healing from something that I just want to run away from... just for a little bit? Is it comfort? What is IT?

Whatever IT is, Jesus has it. Jesus has it all wrapped up in His LOVE. His LOVE for us. Finding THAT is like finding a buried treasure chest that you know has all sort of precious, sparkling items in it.

But, we can't seem to figure out how it opens. Ahhhh, there it IS!! It's THE KEY!!! The key forms a word and the word is TRUST. At this our hearts drop. Jesus says 'yeah, I know what has happened in the past when you've trusted - but you've trusted in the wrong things. Give me a try... give me a chance - just one chance and I'll show you how faithful and trustworthy I am'.

Trust is saying no to lust and your body and mind is saying. Trust is saying, "Lord, help my unbelief, but I'm going to trust You to give me what I need right now... at this moment." THAT is putting the key in the lock and though struggling between hope and unbelief - hope wins out and you turn the key. The lid pops open and right there in front of you is everything that you've ever desired (that the lust had covered up). There it is.... unfailing love!

The Lord takes it out and like a huge, red, thick fleece blanket and wraps it around you... and all you ever needed you feel starting to seep into every tiny crack and crevice of your heart. It may take a while to completely permeate you... maybe even a lifetime. But today would be a good start.... Go ahead put let Him put it on you...
"The Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him."
May the unfailing love of Jesus surround you today as you trust in Him.

Take a listen to the song below....

Love is Everything - Jesus Culture

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