How Deep His Love

Does it ever strike you just how big God is? 

I can’t seem to fathom God’s love.  I've been told that it’s perfect, all-powerful, awesome and constant, but try as I might, I can’t quite wrap my mind around it.  Maybe it’s because I compare it to the love that humans are capable of experiencing, which, while great (I mean, who doesn’t like to be loved??), is nothing compared to God’s love for us.  I was reading the story of Abraham’s near-sacrifice of his son the other day- remember when God tests Abraham by telling him to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac?

 "Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.'"

Genesis 22:2 

Now I clearly don’t have any children yet, but as I read that story, I thought to myself, “You know, God, I really am sorry but there is NO way I could do that.”  I mean, what if God told you today that you had to sacrifice your parents, your sister, brother, best friend, boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife for Him?  I do admire Abraham's high standard of obedience but I don’t think I’d be willing to do that, even for a God who loves me dearly and does everything for me. 

Now think about that.  I wouldn’t give someone I love up to a perfect God who loves me far more than I can even imagine, yet He gave up His only cherished son for us, sinners who hated Him.  We didn’t have God’s best interests at heart, our love for Him is pitiful and far from consistent, and we continue to break His heart daily--- yet because of His immense love for us, He gave us His son.  

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." 

John 3:16