“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4.17-18
Why do bad things happen to good people? This is the age-old question, and yet it resurfaces when tragedy strikes our home. The recent devastation in the Texas Hill Country is a poignant example of this. It’s almost too much to bear. We ask, “Why, God?” and await the answer. Sometimes the answers never come.
Yet this is what we do know: God is love. No matter what happens on earth, God is love. No matter what occurs in heaven, God is love. When death and destruction find us, God is love. When mishaps occur, natural disasters or wars come upon us, God is love. There is nothing you can throw into that mix that you can’t follow with the phrase—God is love.
Why does this phrase matter? Because it is the essence of life, the purpose of living, the meaning behind the madness. If God is love, I don’t have to live in fear, doubt, or disgrace. And the fullness of God’s love is made complete in this—that we will be made like Jesus (v.17). And fear has no place among us—“perfect love drives out fear” (v.18a). If you fear, v.18b, you are not yet made perfect in love.
For God to be love means life has meaning. Life has purpose. When our doubts arise, when death or discouragement find us, we can place our trust and hope in God. For He is love.
I admit, sometimes I have difficulty believing this. When I see the world around me, hear stories of the girls at Camp Mystic, I ask, “How could You let this happen?” But soon I remember that He is all-loving, and even though this happens, God is with us, and He is near. We live in a fallen world, but Christ has and will overcome it. He is our hope, our stay, our rock, and our refuge. When hardships find us—God is love.
Will you trust Him this day? Place your hope in His hands. Find healing from a loving God who loves you, who is with you, and who finds you right where you are. He is love, and He is here.
“O Lord God, You are love, and I am so thankful. Even through the storms, the difficulties, and the tragedies, You are loving, and You are present. Your Holy Spirit kindles within us a response to love You back, even though we are unworthy of that love. I praise You, Lord, for loving all of humanity. Come now, Lord Jesus, have Your way with us. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen