The Love of God 10/6/2026
Dear Brothers & Sisters,
Disclaimer: Three years ago I sent a devotional about the life of Job. Today I am taking the liberty of borrowing a portion of that email (and adapting it for you).
"Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?”
Job 2:10 ESV
Samuel Rutherford (1600-1661) experienced many hardships: the death of his wife, the loss of his ministerial office (because he refused to conform to certain teachings and practices of the church of England). His letters, collected in a volume titled Letters of Samuel Rutherford overflow with devotion to Christ. In one letter Rutherford wrote, "Oh how Christ must love you! He would take every bit of your heart to Himself. He would not permit you to reserve any part of your soul for any earthly thing."
[Rutherford wrote this to comfort a woman who had lost five children and her husband.]
Such a statement is shocking to many of us. The truth has often been spoken insensitively, offered as a sort of "quick fix," as if saying "Christ took them to himself" will erase the pain of losing a loved one. Yet the truth is still what we need. The moment we remove God from the picture, we have no hope to offer our fellow sufferers. If we cannot say God is involved even in tragedy and death, how can we honestly say that he is able to help us in our troubles. If we cannot speak of God's love and faithfulness in the worst of times, how can we honestly talk of his love in the best of times.
God doesn't answer every "Why?" But He does communicate his love for us. He does promise that there is a purpose in every loss. The way of faith isn't easy (those who pretend it is are lying to you), but let me ask you this, "If the gift (those we love) is precious, how much more is the God who gave the gift?" Those who endure suffering with hope are those who trust that God is worthy of all our soul's devotion whether he gives or takes away. Do you?
May God grant you an ever deeper faith in the loveliness of Christ and his love for you in all circumstances. I leave you with a Scripture to reflect on and a song to sing (see below).
When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works (Psalm 73:21-28)
In Christ's Service,
Matt
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