DAY 4: Get Swept Away!

“The fire of  love stops at nothing—
 it sweeps everything before it.” Song of Solomon 8:7 (Message)

The prodigal son’s father didn’t wait for his son to get home. As soon as he saw a glimpse of his son out of the corner of his eye, far off in the distance, Luke 15:20 (NIV) says, “ . . . he ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him.”  

That’s aggressive, invincible, tornado love! That’s the love of God. The father didn’t wait for the son to clean up his act, change his clothes, or become a servant. The son just turned toward his father, and the father came running, chasing, embracing, kissing, blessing, and healing! 

This is the love our Heavenly Father has for you.

Solomon describes this love . . . 

“The fire of love stops at nothing—it sweeps everything before it.” Song of Solomon 8:7 (Message)

God’s love sweeps everything that has come against us—everything standing in the way of His best for our lives. 

God’s love sweeps away three things:

1. Our sin. “I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud” (Isaiah 44:22, NASB). The English phrase thick cloud comes from the Hebrew for hanging cloud. It sweeps away what is hanging over you—guilt, shame, and the past mistakes you’ve made. His love sweeps away those things as if they’ve never been. 

2. Our desires. Something changes when we discover His love. “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with loving kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3, NASB). He never gives up on you, but He also never forces you to obey Him. But that love is so strong that it sweeps away all of our wrong desires and our other ambitions, and brings with us inner motivation to love Him in return for His great love for us. 

3. Our fears. God’s love for us is relentless. It pursues us continually. It sweeps away our fears, as it leaves no doubt about how God sees us. You are the apple of His eye, and He is watching over you always to guide and protect. That’s the love of God. When you believe that, fear is banished. You become confident that everything’s going to be all right.