Do you remember the words of Rod Stewart’s song, ”Have I told you lately that I love you?” I may be dating myself by even bringing it up, but it’s a classic.
Most people listen to it and think of their love-interest (spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend) and I have to admit I’ve been known to sing this song to my husband on random occasions. But I can’t help but think of God when I hear love songs.
Have I told you lately that I love you Have I told you there's no one else above you You fill my heart with gladness Take away all my sadness Ease my troubles, that's what you do For the morning sun and all it's glory Greets the day with hope and comfort, too You fill my life with laughter And somehow, you make it better Ease my troubles, that's what you do There's a love that's divine And it's yours and it's mine Like the sun And at the end of the day We should give thanks and pray To the one, to the one Songwriter: Harold Rome
It’s sweet to sing this to your sweetie, but in all seriousness— God is love. Everything we know about love comes from our Heavenly Father. The first scripture that should come to mind is John 3:16, ”For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” I’d like to think the writer of this song was thinking the same thing: We should give thanks and pray to the One, to the One…
Other verses that come to mind were also pinned by John. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7). “And 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).
But maybe my favorite one is this: ”There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:18-19).
I didn’t understand how God could love me first— in the middle of my mess. But He did. He loved us all that way. And John understood this truth. This is why he said there’s no fear in love— no fear of rejection, no fear of abandonment, no fear of anything— it simply doesn’t exist in God (who is love).
It didn’t take long after fully realizing these truths personally that my heart began to sing praises to God for His infinite love. I know this is why love songs (almost all of them) make me want to sing to God.
Have I told You lately that I love You?
Have I told You there's no one else above You?
You fill my heart with gladness
Take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles, that's what You do
“God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us” (1 John 4:17 MSG). No matter where my feet take me, I can have a permanent residence in the love of God. This means when I wake up, I’m in the love of God. When I go to bed at night, I can rest in His love. There is a perfect peace that accompanies this understanding— no matter what we may be facing.
And one more thing… When we abide in God’s love, it becomes an integral part of our everyday lives and a witness to others. Heaven’s business card is you and I, as we abide in God’s eternal love. “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it” (Colossians 3:12-14 MSG).
Basic, all-purpose garment. This is God’s love. As we dress ourselves in it each day, I can hear Him singing sweetly: “Have I told you lately that I love you?”
