When God Shouts

Can you imagine God shouting out loud?  Sometimes, I’ve imagined God shouting at me, and in my imagination his words were probably …

“You stupid man.”

“What is wrong with you.”

“You failed again.  Oh great!”

Now remember, I said ‘in my imagination.”

Today, here is how I imagine that God shouts.

I think He shouted out over 2,000 years ago when Christ hung on the cross, and His words were these: 

I LOVE YOU!

And I think those words still echo today.  We humans have a difficult time accepting the fact that we are loved so unconditionally by God.  We think we are so far beyond love and forgiveness, even now as these words are being read, some are shaking their head and saying “Not me.  God couldn’t love me that much.  You see, I’ve said …  I’ve done … I’ve gone to …”

And God says, “Yes, I know, and I still love you.”

And He continues: “You see.  I had to watch in great agony as my Son was impaled on the cross for all of you, yes, even YOU, ______ (your name goes in this space).  I could have stopped it all.  I could have come down and interrupted that scene, but I had you in mind, and what you face and have faced, and will face.  I wanted my message of love to reach across all those years to you this very moment.  And so today – in 2016 or in whatever year you read these words – just know that I, your God, love you – YOU!  It really only boils down to this … will you accept my love and will you love me back?”

I love Philip Yancey’s quote:  God loves people because of who God is, not because of who we are.”  (What’s So Amazing about Grace)

I used this quote recently, and it is so appropriate for today’s message.  It is from Brennan Manning.

“Why is Brennan Manning loveable in the eyes of God? Because on February 8^th 1956, in a shattering life-changing experience, I committed my life to Jesus? 

Does God love me because ever since I was ordained a priest in 1963 I roamed the country and lately all over the world proclaiming the Good News of the gospel of grace? 

Does God love me because I tithe to the poor? 

Does he love me because back in New Orleans I work on skid row with alcoholics, addicts, and those who suffer with Aids?? 

Does God love me because I spend two hours every day in prayer?  If I believe that stuff I’m a Pharisee.  Then I feel I’m entitled to be comfortably close to Christ because of my good works. 

The gospel of grace says, “Brennen, you’re loveable for one reason only – Because God loves you. Period.”  

~Brennan Manning

How about that?  God loves us – you and me!  Period.

So when God shouts, here is what He shouts.

I HAVE LOVED YOU WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE.  Jeremiah 31:3   

GOD SHOWS HIS LOVE FOR US IN THAT WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US.  Romans 5:8

AND YOU, O LORD, ARE A GOD WHO IS MERCIFUL AND GRACIOUS.  YOU ABOUND IN UNMOVEABLE LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS.

Psalm 86:15

And now we see what God likes to shout about.  He shouts out His abundant LOVE. 

Today is a good day to finally and forever accept His love.  Are you open?  

Invite Him to come near.  He hears you – and you don’t have to shout.

Anne Lamont says it so well in her book Help Thanks Wow -

“God help me.  This is a great prayer.”

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