Healing Rays of Righteousness

From early childhood I have enjoyed singing “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” And during the many years since, I have always been spiritually energized with singing the hymn written by Frederick M. Lehman, “The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell, it goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell.”

This hymn is rich in describing God’s love as “measureless,” “strong,” and will “evermore endure.” And yet there are the tough times when I am tempted to feel uncertain about God’s love? During those days, I am encouraged by the words of the apostle Paul in his letter to “God’s holy people in Ephesus.” Paul’s encouraging message seems to me to give roots and life to the above songs about God’s love.

He begins his letter with this reassurance; “For he chose us in him (Christ) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he (God) predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, … In him (Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” (Eph.1:4-7 NIV).

To be reminded of “the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us” restrengthens my wavering confidence that God does absolutely love me and always will, no matter what my situation may be.

Then in chapter three, I hear Paul praying that God may strengthen us with the ability to more fully understand and experience the magnitude of Christ’s love for us. “For this reason, I kneel before the Father, … I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,” … Then, as if searching for adequate words, he adds … “and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”  (Eph. 3:14-19).

Paul’s deep heart-desire is that all who follow Christ lean into a deep love relationship with God, and experience all the fullness of God’s love in our every day, activity, and encounter. Paul believes that such knowing is experiential and far beyond the rational limits of intellect or comprehension. That is, to experience God’s love is so much wider, longer, higher, and deeper than saying “God is love.”

I remember reading of a farmer who had a weathervane on his barn, on which was written GOD IS LOVE. When friends asked why he did that, the farmer said, “This is to remind me that no matter which way the wind blows, God is love.”

The following scriptures would confirm this truth and are verses that I have found helpful in encouraging me through difficult and painful experiences.

When the warm ‘south wind’ with its soothing and balmy breezes, bring showers of blessing upon me, God is love. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17).

When the cold ‘north wind’ sweeps down upon me with its disciplining disappointments and disablements, God is love. “do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves” (Hebrews 12:6).

When the wild ‘west wind’ blows hard upon me with its fearful uncertainties, God is love. For Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. … Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27).

And when the stormy ‘east wind’ threatens to sweep away all that sustains me, God is love. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).

The biblical writers consistently assure us that it does not matter which way the winds are blowing in our life, we can be assured that the truth remains, “God is love.” (1 John 4:8,16)        

               “O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!           

                              It shall forevermore endure – the saints’ and angels’ song.”       

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 8/20/25