Love is a wonderful thing. Our children know us, trust us, and love us. When they reach for our hands, when they snuggle, when they look into our eyes with trust, we feel their deep love. And with our whole hearts, we return that blessed love. Similarly, to learn to love God, we need to know who He is; we need to draw near; we need to see the countless indications of His deep love in our lives.

How do we learn to know God? We can't see Him or have a conversation with Him. But God says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV, italics added) “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) If we truly want to be close to God, we will study His Word and pray, asking Him to help us to know Him. It takes time to know God.

When we study the Bible, we read of a time coming when "the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea."  (Isaiah 11:9, Habakkuk 2:14)  We learn that during this time all in their graves will be awakened, either to a resurrection of life or of judgment.  (John 5:28, 29 – NASB, RSV)   We read that the time of judgment is a positive time, when the world will learn righteousness. (Psalm 29:4-9; Psalm 96:10-13, Isaiah 26:9,19)  As we realize the greatness of God's love for everyone, our hearts are filled with joy, and we want to praise and thank our Heavenly Father.  "This is love:  not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins…. We love because he first loved us."  (I John 4:10, 19, NIV, italics added)

 Another verse reads:  "[Jesus] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."  (I John 2:2  NIV)  As our knowledge of God and our joy in Him grow, so does our love for Him.  Then, if we choose to give ourselves to Him, we see evidences of how He guides us through life and helps us grow closer to Him. Our love grows deeper; we trust Him in all things.

Remember, no matter how wonderful human love is, it is between two imperfect human beings. But God’s love for us is perfect. "As for God, his way is perfect…"  (Psa.18:30)  "His understanding has no limit." (Psalm 147:5)  If we find joy in human love, we will find so much more in God's love.  Through His Son Jesus, He will always be there for us.