Day 17 — O How I Love Jesus

There is no other love like the love of God for us. Loving Jesus flows out of the knowledge of His great love for us. Though the reality of His love is critical to our living in victory every day, we think of the way it began even more this time of year. Sadly, most Christians only mentally assent to the idea without having a profound revelation of God’s love for them. If they really knew how much God loved them, it would totally change everything.

How will you know when you believe God’s love for you? 

You won’t fear anything anymore.

Not the loss of a job, how people will respond to you, how you’ll pay the bills, whether your family will be healthy or safe. 

Is this possible? Yes!

So, what stops people from believing? 

• Hurts and wounds from the past that haven’t fully healed 
• Guilt and shame about the past 
• Insecurities 
• Low self-esteem 
• A lack of knowledge of the Word of God.

God’s love was proven when He sent Jesus to earth as a baby to ultimately die for us. That’s why a love for Jesus is so powerful. It’s what Frederick Whitfield, a minister in the Church of England, was thinking of when he wrote these lyrics in the song “O How I Love Jesus” in 1855:

There is a name I love to hear,

I love to sing its worth;

it sounds like music in my ear,

the sweetest name on earth.

O how I love Jesus,

O how I love Jesus,

O how I love Jesus,

because he first loved me.

What a shame it is that people suffer at the hands of fear because they don’t believe the love God has for them. Don’t let that happen to you! Learn to believe the love.

Meditate on scriptures about His love for you over and over. Say to yourself, again and again, all day, “I believe the love Jesus has for me.” Once it gets down into your heart, you’ll never fear again. The Word of God is so important because, as the next verse of the song says:

It tells me of a Savior’s love,

Who died to set me free;

It tells me of His precious blood,

The sinner’s perfect plea.

This Christmas, as you decorate your home, host family and attend special events, take time to sing “O How I Love Jesus” and remind yourself of His great love for you. Then, receive that love, and never let fear into your life again.