Always and Forever
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39, NASB)
In 1976, the British-based funk-disco band, Heatwave, recorded a love ballad entitled, Always and Forever. The first two stanzas, of the song, are as follows:
Always and forever
Each moment with you
Is just like a dream to me
That somehow came true,
And I know tomorrow
Will still be the same
‘Cause we got a life of love
That won’t ever change.
Just reading these lyrics, again, brings back a flood of memories. I think this song was on the playlist of every high school prom, house party, and nightclub in the late 1970s to the 1980s. Whether the many who slow-danced to this song were deeply in love or not, it was not evident in most cases. But, I would guess not. For, many teenagers and adults just loved the lyrics. Most of them had not yet, found true love. However, one thing was for sure, the voice singing the song was definitely in awe of the one he was serenading. And I feel it is the same, with Paul, as he shares the extent of God’s love, in Romans 8:38-39.
In these verses, Paul tells us about the Father’s love and how inseparable the bond is between us. He goes through a list of things that the average relationship would not be able to withstand. And yet, the answer to each situation was an emphatic, No!
In truth, John 3:16 tells us how God loved us so much that He gave the life of His only son. Can you imagine Him asking you to give up or sacrifice something so dear to you as a symbol of your love for Him? God may not be asking us to offer Him our first-born. However, He requires us to relinquish those things that are unlike Him and the idols that we have placed above Him. And as a sign of our affection present our bodies a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to Him, which is our reasonable service. Now, that is a mark of true love.
Going back to the song’s lyrics, we see that the psalmist’s emotions for his beloved were present and never-ending. When we take these same emotions and bring them into the context of our relationship with God, we will comprehend with the saints in Ephesians 3:18-19, the magnitude of the wondrous love of Christ in all its dimensions. We’ll discover how deeply intimate and far-reaching His love is. How enduring and inclusive it is! How it is an endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into us until we are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God! Hallelujah and Amen!
Each imaginable minute with the Father can be like a dream come true. Our tomorrows can hold the same experiences because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). And with that comes a life of love that won’t ever change.
As you spend time with the Father this week, recite these lyrics to Him. Pour out your love upon Him, letting Him know how you feel. In return, I believe He will somehow express the last stanza of this song back to you.
“Everyday love me your own special way, melt all my heart away with a smile. Take time to tell me you really care, and we’ll share tomorrow together. I’ll always love you, forever.”
Rest in the love of the Father and join me next week for more, Coffee on The Couch.