Love.
It is likely the most overused and misapplied word in the world. Most of the time, love is referred to in the context of romantic love, followed by filial love, and enjoyment of something.
Romantic love, in particular, is glorified in our stories and music. It is worshipped. Idolized. Like all idols, however, romantic love has a way of letting us down.
God’s love is markedly different. It is everlasting. Steadfast. Above all else, His love for us is undeserved. He did not demonstrate His love for us after we gave Him abundant tithes or mountains of sacrifice; He showered us in love before we were even born. Unlike human love, which is prone to forgetfulness, weariness, and faithlessness, His love does not waver.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.Lamentations 3.22-23, ESV
As you write your way through this month’s plan, take note of the enduring and abundant quality of God’s love. I specifically searched for passages like Psalm 103, Nehemiah, and John that really illustrate these concepts. If you are using the English Standard Version, you will notice that the term “steadfast love” appears frequently in the Old Testament passages, but it is translated differently in the New American Standard and New King James:
Notice that the New King James uses “mercy” and the New American Standard uses “lovingkindness.” Truly God’s love is all three: steadfast, merciful, and kind. These words are derived from the Hebrew “checed” meaning favor, goodness, kindness, and/or mercy. If you’d like to dig more deeply, click this text to check out the Strong’s definition and the Brown-Driver-Briggs English and Hebrew Lexicon. Regardless of which word is used or which version you employ, the concept is the same: God’s love is merciful, kind, enduring, and abundant!
In the New Testament, we simply see the word “love” in all three versions. This word is most frequently derived from the Greek word “agapé” which typically refers to the divine love of God, or “a love centering on moral preference.”
Lastly, it is important to remember that we are not to be mere recipients of this great love, but also imitators. God has filled us with a love so magnificent that we should be pouring this love out to others. There’s no reason to hoard this love because the supply is endless. We do not pour out love and become an empty shell because the Lord’s love continues to refill and revive us. Jesus even encourages us to “love one another, as I have loved you.” Are we willing to lay down our lives, our wants, our time, our energy for others the way that Christ did for us?
I hope that you will find delight in the indescribable love of God as you meditate on these things this month!
To download a full-page version of the plan, click this link: Feb 2020 scripture writing plan full sheet
To download half-sheet sizes, click here: Feb 2020 half-sheet scripture writing plan
As a reminder, I try to post some brief thoughts about each day’s writing on Facebook, Instagram (@elihuscorner), and Twitter (@elihuscorner).
If you’d prefer to use a different plan on love, check out last February’s Scripture Writing Plan.
Elihu's Corner 
Blessngs on you, dear Elihu.
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