Jehovah Actively Demonstrates His Love

Fourth, Jehovah does much to prove his love for us. Surely, Christ's ransom sacrifice is the most potent answer to the satanic lie that we are worthless or unlovable. Never should we forget that the agonizing death that Jesus suffered on the torture stake and the even greater agony that Jehovah endured in watching his beloved Son die are proof of their love for us. Sadly, many people find it hard to believe that this gift could be meant for them personally. They feel unworthy. Remember, though, that the apostle Paul had been a persecutor of Christ's followers. Yet, he wrote: " The Son of God . . . loved me and handed himself over for me." -Galatians 1:13; 2:20.

Jehovah proves his love for us by helping us individually to take advantage of the benefits of Christ's sacrifice. Jesus said: "No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him." (John 6:44) Yes, Jehovah personally draws us toward his Son and the hope of eternal life. How? By means of the preaching work, which reaches us individually, and by means of his Holy Spirit, which Jehovah uses to help us grasp and apply spiritual truths despite our limitations and imperfections. Jehovah can therefore say of us as he said of Israel: "With a love to time indefinite I have loved you. That is why I have drawn you with loving-kindness." -Jeremiah 31:3.

Perhaps it is through the privilege of prayer that we experience Jehovah's love in the most intimate way. The Bible invites each of us to "pray incessantly" to God. (1Thessalonians 5:17) He listens. He is even called the "Hearer of prayer." (Psalm 65:2) He has not delegated this office to anyone else, not even to his own Son. Just think: The Creator of the universe urges us to approach him in prayer, with freeness of speech. And what kind of listener is he? Cold, impassive,uncaring? Not at all.

Next time: Conclusion of Jehovah Actively Demonstrates His Love

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002