pramsay posted on August 30, 2007 17:29 5972 views

So Many Reasons Why I Love the Lord

There’s an old country Gospel song that starts with: “So many reasons why I love the Lord; so many reasons I can’t count them….

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem “How Do I Love Thee” has been ranked by many as the greatest love poem of all times. “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height, My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight; For the ends of being and ideal grace…..”  Browning wrote the poem for her husband. But I came across another expression of love that predates and eclipses Browning’s love poem to her husband.

In earlier years he was a rough and rugged fisherman with weathered skin from exposure to the elements. Fishing wasn’t an easy job nor was it all that glamorous but it kept food on the table. Everything changed for this man when he met Jesus. His life was transformed. Peter became a fisher of men and a devout follower of Christ. If you ever questioned Peter’s love for Christ prior to the crucifixion, all doubts afterwards were forever removed. Peter loved Jesus more than words could ever express and more than one life could ever show. Peter would ultimately lay down his life for Christ as a martyr and consider it the highest honor to do so.

Peter wrote other believers who were enduring intense hardships and brutal persecution. Some of them would become martyrs too. He didn’t tell them to draw strength from sheer human willpower or to have a stiff upper lip or to be stoical by grinning and bearing it. He directed their minds and hearts to none less than the One he personally adored, loved and worshipped.

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of

Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love;

In whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

(1Peter 1:7-8)

Peter was sure that just the mention of His Name would revive their fainting spirits and help to fan their flame of love and devotion to the Lovely Man of Calvary. Peter had seen Him and loved Him. But he was writing to Christians who hadn’t yet seen Him but he knew they loved Him. Why would they love Him? The same reason you love Him today. You haven’t seen Him yet, but don’t you love Him?

Why He would love me will always be a mystery but there’s no mystery as to why I love Him. Why do you love Him? Before you go, can you think of 3 specific reasons why you love the Lord?

1. _____________________

2. _____________________

3. _____________________

It seems to me I hear you say:

“I love Him because He first loved me.
I love Him because I was once in the darkness of my sins and facing a lost eternity in Hell.
He saved me.
He suffered, bled and died for my sins.
He intervened when I was bankrupt. He paid my debt of sin – cleared it off completely.
He rescued me.”
“I’ve read about Him. I’ve studied what He’s like.
I’ve mulled over in my mind the words He spoke and the miracles He performed.
I’ve considered His compassion, His gentleness and tenderness;
I’ve been warmed by His humility and lowliness and the poverty He took upon Himself so I could be made rich in Christ.
I’ve wept; I’ve smiled; I have sung His praises at the top of my lungs;
I’ve been choked with emotion and my eyes have been wet thinking about Him.
My heart has pounded with excitement knowing He is alive and I will see Him in all His splendor.
BUT…..as of yet, I haven’t seen Him my very own eyes. I can hardly wait.
Already I’ve rejoiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”

Dear Child of God – as dark as the ‘now’ may be – the ‘future’ is incredibly bright. As deep as the waters may be and as dark as the night may get, a thrilling day awaits you. The ultimate outcome of your salvation? You shall see Him as He is!

Posted in: Bible Bites

Post Rating

Comments

Thursday, August 12, 2010 2:22 AM

Dear friend. that was as well stated as I can imagine.I play Guitar and my wife and I are always looking for some new song. the one I had ref. too went like this—–So many reasons,why I love the lord, so many reasons ,I cant count them. repeat- one Is how He saved me , at an old fashioned altar, he placed within my Heart a Joy i know. He changed my life completely, gave hope for tomorrow ,and that is why I Love Hin so I was wondering If there was a second verse. Thanks Ill see you over there.

Post Comment

Only registered users may post comments.

Translate