“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19); “Your love is better than life.” (Psalm 63:3); “Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Cor 16:14); “Perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18;) “Love never fails” (1 Cor. 13:8)
Heavenly Father, I can certainly think about you without thinking of Jack Miller, my spiritual dad for 21 years. But I cannot think about Jack Miller without thinking of you. No one taught me more about your love, and no one showed me more of your love, than Jack.
I woke up today thinking about one of the many things he stressed—a one-liner that seemed a bit odd at first. “Just mount a love offensive,” he would say. That is, in reaction to a personal attack, or when in the presence of evil—when feeling vulnerable, threatened, fearful, or weak… we should respond with our Father’s love—your great love for us in Jesus.
This is so revolutionary, counterintuitive, Gospel-like, and revival-like. Help us, Father, big time! May your incomparable, unwavering, inexhaustible, never-failing love drive out our fears, and drive us deeper into your joy, peace, and kindness.
Once again, may your love seem better than life itself—better, sweeter, more satisfying, and compelling. We love, only because your first loved us and gave Jesus for us. Today, on this August Tuesday, may we prove the wonders of your love, and the sufficiency of your grace. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.
