The Greatest Love Story
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Through the years, one love story stands out above all others as the greatest love story ever told. In fact, this is the story upon which all other love stories are based. It is a story of compassion, tenderness, heroism, never ending commitment, and selfless sacrifice. This ageless story is about a man who gives up his life so that his bride can live. I invite you to read more.
What is this great love story and how is great love defined? We find our answers in John 15:13. There we read, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Easter is the story of God’s love for us expressed through the selfless act of His Son, who gave His life and rose from the dead, so His bride, the Church, could live forever.
Most love songs are written about the love between a man and a woman, however, with little or no change in the lyrics, many love songs allow us to substitute Jesus as the object of our love and as the one we are singing to. Singer Kenny Rogers, who passed away just before Easter, left us a beautiful love song whose lyrics seem to capture the essence of our relationship with Jesus. This certainly is the case in his song, THROUGH THE YEARS.
Here are a few of the key elements to a perfect love:
Commitment: The following is written in Isaiah 41:10. “Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Here, God gives us His assurance that no matter what we encounter in life, He will be with us. In his song Through The Years, Kenny Rogers sang, “Through the years, when everything went wrong together we were strong, I know that I belong right here with you. Through the years I never had a doubt, we’d always work things out. I’ve learned what love’s about, by loving you through the years.”
Someone strong to rely on: Life can often seem too hard. We face challenges that seem insurmountable. Jesus declares to us that with Him at our side we can do things that we otherwise could never do. Matthew 19:26 says, “Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” The song lyrics say it this way, “Can’t imagine anything the two of us can’t do.”
Trustworthy: Here are three Bible verses on trust. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). “Those who know your name trust in you; you never forsake those who seek you, LORD” (Psalms 9:11). “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely” (Proverbs 3:5). The lyrics to the song offer this, “Through the years, you’ve never let me down, you turned my life around, the sweetest days I’ve found I’ve found with you.” He also sang, “I can’t remember what I used to do, who I trusted, who I listened to before.”
Always there: God never forgets us. Isaiah 49:16 tells us that God has us engraved on the palm of His hand. God has always been there for us. Revelation 1:8 says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.” Jeremiah 1:5 offers us this, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born, I dedicated you.” Kenny sang it this way, “I can’t remember when you weren’t there”
The rock on whom we lean: There is no doubt that we need God in our life. In Psalms 18:3, David tells us that God is our rock, our fortress, our deliverer, our refuge, our shield, our saving horn, and our stronghold! The song says it this way, “Can’t imagine needing someone so but through the years it seems to me, I need you more and more.”
Compassionate and forgiving: One of the best places in the Bible to read about the love God has for us is in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8. It is there we read that love is patient, kind, not jealous. Love is not rude, and not quick-tempered. Love bears all things and never fails. The song says this, “through all the good and bad I knew how much we had, I’ve always been so glad to be with you.” It also says, “It’s better every day, you’ve kissed my tears away.”
Now, with a fresh perspective, I invite you to sing this song, but as you do, sing as if you are singing to Jesus. I promise you that with Jesus in your heart, you will experience the greatest love story ever told.
Heavenly Father, Jeremiah 31:3 assures us that you love us with an everlasting love. Jesus demonstrated that love for us on the cross. Help me to always love you above everything else in life, amen.
As always, I love to read your comments below as well as hear from you personally by clicking here.
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Dear Brian, I cannot tell you how often your meditations get this reaction from me, “That was just what I needed to hear today.” Or a feeling or reaction very similar.
I have not received your meditations since April 20th, 2020. I keep them in an archive. I know I can read them even if I check the last one I have received. But because I don’t receive a copy on Tuesdays, I often forget now to look for them.
When I was living in Rome almost every Tuesday I said to myself, “Oh, today I will receive Brian Pusateri’s “Fourth Day” newsletter.
I don’t know why I am not receiving them. Even as I resubscribed several times. Most recently two weeks ago. I am not the computer geek I was a few years ago, I don’t keep up with the changes in technology since I don’t use them quite as often now. So it is a mystery to me.
But thank you for your reflections. I am sure that many people are moved and touched by your inspiration.
I also pray for you personally and for your health. I hope you have been able to find proper treatment. And to place yourself in God’s healing hands.
Samuel Pusateri
I always tell people that song is the best. But I never could have thought of it this way. Now I know why I love it so much.
Christopher
God is love, so if it is a good love song, it should always speak of God
Brian
Nice..Kenny is smiling, Brian!
Bill
I’ll bet you are right!
Brian
Thanks for this one. I really needed this right now. Our 50th anniversary is cumming up on August 1st. This is the song I want my wife to have. I’ve only met you once at St John Neumann in Charlotte NC, but I will always remember it.
Thanks
Don
One of the many blessings of this ministry is traveling around the country to put on retreats and the opportunity to meet nice people like you who have a deep love for our Lord.
Brian
Every time I read (and often hear) your 4th Day Letters message, it’s exactly what I needed that day, Brian. Of course, I keep and read again.
Jane
I hope today’s message gave us all something to sing about! May God’s blessings be with you.
Brian
Thank you Brian for all you do to find a way to up lift all of us!! God has truly blessed you!
Rebecca
It is a real blessing to be able to share each week. May God’s blessings be with you.
Brian
Beautiful, thought-provoking! This was a wonderful way to start my day.
Kathy
I am glad to know the message touched you. Thanks for your post.
Brian
Brian,
I am always telling people to listen to love songs as if you were singing them to God or He was singing them to you. It is amazing! Thank you for sharing this one with such a wonderful interpretation.
DeAnne
You are most welcome. God is love therefore if is truly a love song it should reflect the nature of God.
Brian