We have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16).
If you had to describe the one true God in one word what would it be? You probably know so many of His attributes: all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, full of mercy. But as John describes Him here, “God is love.” Notice, God doesn’t possess love - He IS love! This doesn’t diminish His other attributes, however, His love shines through every one of the others. When the Lord appeared to Moses on Mt. Sinai, He came in great power, and He spoke of justice and punishment. Yet His overall tone on this momentous occasion was love.
Exodus 34:5-6, Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed His name, the Lord. And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” I like the New Living Translation, Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and He called out His own name, “Yahweh.” The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.”
Throughout Israel’s history, this verse was repeated - it is a reality. They knew that on so many occasions they were rescued from their rebelliousness by only one thing: His love. Lamentations 3:22, “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.”
