Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8.

Have we ever truly stopped and thought about what our lives would be like without love or without God’s love? Love is patient, love is kind. Love fills us with hope. Can you imagine if God was none of those things? It’s good to stop and give thanks that God is love because we are all of us in need of His love for us. When I look at His creation I see His love lavishly given. When I come to Him in prayer for help I know His love lifting my heart. He is my comfort and in Him I know joy.

David loved his son Absalom even though Absalom wanted his death so he could rule. He has instigated a war in Israel and yet David’s instructions to his men was “Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.” v. 5.

Joab, commander of David’s army, kills Absalom whose hair has been caught in a tree binding him. They threw his body in a pit and covered it with rocks. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled to their homes. v. 14-17.

Can you imagine being the men in David’s army? They know he is a mighty warrior and king. They know he loves his son and that his son sought to kill him. How do you kill a king’s son? How do you kill David’s son?

When David found out his son is dead, He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he wept, he said, “O my son Absalom! Absalom! If only I had died instead of you – O Absalom, my son, my son! v. 33.

The young man who told David the news didn’t understand. The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.” v. 32. He was glad the enemy of his king is dead. David doesn’t see an enemy; he sees his son.

I have never lost a child. Those who have understand the pain David is undergoing. I keep thinking if only Absalom had loved his father, David. If only he had loved his Father who is love.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. We may not be able to love all the people on this planet of ours. We may recoil from the thought of loving our enemies who are so set against us. Nevertheless…This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. 1 John 4:16.

Let us be thankful we are loved by a God who is love. He will wipe away every tear and show us how to love. Can you imagine that world? Without God’s love we can’t.