Wednesday, Feb 12, 2014
"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
Proverbs 17:17
In August of 2011 a terrorist rocket brought down a Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan, killing thirty American troops. Among the dead was a Navy SEAL, Chief Petty Officer Jon Tumilson. His body was returned home to Rockford, Iowa, for the funeral. The service was held in a gymnasium, and the family brought Hawkeye, Tumilson's dog. The dog walked to the front where the casket was draped with an American flag and laid down beside it. Hawkeye did not move throughout the service, staying as close as he could to his master.
The world around us regards love, loyalty, and friendship as disposable commodities. Marriages come and go, friendships end over minor matters and the day when “a man's word was his bond” seems very far away. Yet God's plan is for commitment in every relationship. He expects us to be faithful, whether things are going well or going badly. There are few things more disappointing than finding out that someone on whom you were counting has let you down. Proverbs 25:19 says, “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.” That places a great responsibility on us any time we enter into a relationship. We must be willing to faithfully and consistently love the other person.
Changes in circumstances do not justify a failure of love. God does not love us because we are lovely, but because of His nature. Paul wrote, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). In the same way, our love should not be based on what the other person does or does not do. Such love will never be consistent. Instead love should be built on the foundation of the commitments we have made and carried through in our lives.
Proverbs 17:17
In August of 2011 a terrorist rocket brought down a Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan, killing thirty American troops. Among the dead was a Navy SEAL, Chief Petty Officer Jon Tumilson. His body was returned home to Rockford, Iowa, for the funeral. The service was held in a gymnasium, and the family brought Hawkeye, Tumilson's dog. The dog walked to the front where the casket was draped with an American flag and laid down beside it. Hawkeye did not move throughout the service, staying as close as he could to his master.
The world around us regards love, loyalty, and friendship as disposable commodities. Marriages come and go, friendships end over minor matters and the day when “a man's word was his bond” seems very far away. Yet God's plan is for commitment in every relationship. He expects us to be faithful, whether things are going well or going badly. There are few things more disappointing than finding out that someone on whom you were counting has let you down. Proverbs 25:19 says, “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.” That places a great responsibility on us any time we enter into a relationship. We must be willing to faithfully and consistently love the other person.
Changes in circumstances do not justify a failure of love. God does not love us because we are lovely, but because of His nature. Paul wrote, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). In the same way, our love should not be based on what the other person does or does not do. Such love will never be consistent. Instead love should be built on the foundation of the commitments we have made and carried through in our lives.
Today’s Renewal Principle:
Be faithful and steadfast in loving your family, your friends, your church, and your God.
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