Unquestionable Love

The Prophet Malachi

“I have loved you,” says the Lord. _{Malachi 1:2}

Unlike all the other prophetic books, the oracle of Malachi opens with a declaration of love. It is a love that has run from times past to future times. This is God’s love for his people – an always-has-been, always-will-be love.

For me, the reaction to this declaration is both bewildering and sad: “How have you loved us?” I mean, really? How is this even a question? God had rescued, fed, protected, blessed and given everything to the Israelites, and now they questioned his love. Yes, they had endured hardship, but they had been given every opportunity to avoid it. All they had to do was return the love they had received and remain faithful to God.

God had been faithful and fulfilled their every need, but no matter what He gave, they wanted more. Everything around them vied for their attention and usually got it. They were tired of the rules and regulations and saw the freedom of the nations surrounding them, whose gods didn’t rebuke and discipline them. The devil is good at his job, and bit by bit he reeled the Israelites in and convinced them to reject God’s ways. In spite of all of that, the Lord declares, “I have loved you.”

Like the Israelites, we can fall into the trap of judging God’s love and goodness by our current circumstances. If everything is going well, God’s good, but if times are difficult, we sometimes question his concern. God loves you – all the time. Through his word he tells us, ‘I have loved you; I do love you; I will love you eternally.’

We love because he first loved us. _{1 John 4:19}

Our love is conditional, His is not. The Lord continually shows his love for us in so many ways. Think about his goodness, think about his grace, and think of all his blessings. Now take a moment, and give Him praise for his unquestionable love.