LEARNING DAILY

 

1 John 4:16, And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.  God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (NJKV)

 

1 John 4:16, God is love, and all who live in love live in God and God lives in them.  (NLT)

 

Here is the rest of the story about the couple and the cat.  The woman got out of bed the next morning before the man.  She went to look for the cat, opened the door, and the cat almost knocked her over getting inside. Okay, that might be overstated.  The cat came into the bedroom, took a moment to eat, and jumped onto the bed.  He got to his normal place, plopped himself down on the pillow next to the man (who was no longer asleep) and made it known he was glad to be in where it was warm and safe.  Now, this did not last long because the man got up for the day.

 

I have read at different times how cats express their feelings toward the human they live with.  From what I have read this cat has feelings of love, contentment, and knows it is safe with this couple.  The cat is still a cat; his nature of being independent does not change.  It is obvious to see that this couple cares for the cat.  They desire to keep him safe, provide for his needs; they probably would even like to change his nature to be more like what they want. 

 

As I was told yesterday, “That’s a long story to get to your point”.  So, here is what I want you to know: as Christians, you and I need to know that God loves us more than we can possibly understand.  We are to live in a constant expectation that God will renew His love for us each day.  We are to live each day knowing that God has always loved us and that He will always love us.  The cat in the story somehow knows he is loved by the couple.  He knows his needs will be met and there is safety when near them.  For us we know that God’s love wants to meet our needs and He wants us to find comfort in His loving arms knowing that “all things work to good for those who love Him”. 

 

Even when we fail Him we have to trust in His love.  The study I have been doing in the book of Isaiah tells of Israel turning to idols instead of God, being warned that God is far from pleased and they will go into captivity (God’s discipline) for their sin.  But even then, God, through the prophet Isaiah, tells the people that He will bring them back to Him and they will be His people and He will be their God.  Why?  It is because He continues to love them even though He must discipline them.  So it is with you and me.  God loves us even when He must discipline us.  I really do not fully understand God’s mercy and grace.  I know it comes from His love.  In that love He has to have such great compassion for each of us that He will do what is necessary to keep us on the narrow way that leads to His kingdom and eternal life.

 

I think the cat in the story might have wanted to come in from the cold damp night sooner than he did.  I think he was grateful once he was let in and able to get warm and in his cozy place.  Perhaps each of us needs to spend some time with the Father, wrapped in His love and His security.  Why don’t you come in from the circumstances you are facing and spend the time you need with Him?  I bet the couple enjoy the time the cat just cuddles up with them just because he wants to.  Everything I read about God’s love tells me He wants to fellowship with each of us – just because we want to.