There are something like 26 references in the Psalms to the ‘unfailing love’ of God. Whatever the circumstances, however he feels, the Psalmist is convinced that he is enfolded in the love of God. No anxiety is strong enough, no pain sharp enough, no shadow deep enough to separate him from the unfailing love of his God. And this was not wishful thinking or a leap into the dark. He could turn his mind to the history of his people where that love had been demonstrated. Before God delivered the Law to Moses He declared:
‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.’ (Exodus 19: 4).
God comparing His love for His people to the enveloping love of a mother eagle for her young. A love that would be engrossed in the Law that was destined to shape the life of the nation of Israel:
‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.’ (Exodus 20: 2)
There can be no doubt that Saul the Pharisee would often reflect upon these words and seek to experience more of the love of God in his life. He would carry this into his new life as Paul the Apostle but now he had more than the Exodus for his faith to feed upon. You cannot read his letters without being struck by the centrality of the Cross to his faith and preaching. He was well aware how much of a problem the Cross was to Jew and Gentile but still Paul persisted for here was the ultimate assurance of the love of God for humankind. That it was shown in the midst of such suffering led Paul to make what is surely one of his boldest declarations:
‘I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8: 38)
The greatest aspiration of my life must be sharing that rock-solid conviction of the Apostle. There is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
