A young man walked into the preacher’s study. “I’ve found her!” he said. “I’m in love and I’ve found the girl I’m going to marry!” “That’s wonderful!” the preacher replied. “Tell me about her.” For the next several minutes the wise old minister sat, carefully listening, as the smitten youngster explained how wonderful and beautiful his love was, and how he couldn’t imagine a love more potent that what he felt for her in that moment. Then it was his turn. “Now let me ask you a question… Can you imagine 40 years into the future, she’s an invalid, in a wheel chair, and depends on you to take care of her 24 hours a day. Can you see yourself loving her then as much as you do today?”
It is easy to love someone in the prime of life, but true love shows itself when circumstances aren’t so grand. The book of Judges vividly shows this quality as it exists in our God. “The Judges Cycle” isn’t so much about the people as it is about God. He became angry at their rebellion, raised up an enemy to punish them, then raised up a judge to save them. Judges 2:18 tells us why: “…for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and harassed them.”
The feeling of love is overwhelming in youth and the problem is that it is often only a feeling. An immature, inexperienced, and uneducated feeling. Thought it does involve emotion, genuine love is so much more. It is a decision (1 Pet. 4:22), to be devoted to another (Rom. 12:10), always putting their needs and interests first (Phil. 2:3-4). It grows and matures over time (1 Cor. 13:4-8), it is forever faithful (1 Cor. 13:7), and it manifests itself in action, not just mere sentiment (1 John 3:17-18). God is love (1 John 4:8) and thus He perfectly displays every characteristic of true love. That is why He continued to rescue Israel in spite of their unfaithfulness. And that is why He sent His Son to die for the world (John 3:16). He loved us when we were spiritually invalid and completely dependent on Him to save us (Eph. 2:1-10).