Thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24) 

 

“But if God has no beginning and no end, and has always existed, what was He doing before He created us? How did He spend His time?” Some precocious Sunday school student always asks this question when we talk about God’s eternal nature. I used to respond that this was a bit of a mystery. But recently I learned that the Bible gives us an answer to this question. 

 

When Jesus prays to His Father in John 17, He says “Father, . . . Thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world” (v. 24). This is God as revealed to us by Jesus: Before the world was ever created, God was a trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)—all loving each other and being loved. When Jesus was baptized, God sent His Spirit in the form of a dove and said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (whom I love)” (Matthew 3:17). The most foundational aspect of God’s identity is this outgoing, life-giving love. 

 

What a lovely and encouraging truth this is about our God! The mutual, outgoing love expressed by each member of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is key to understanding the nature of God. What was God doing before the beginning of time? What He always does: He was loving because He is love, He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love (1 John 4:8). 

 

God, thank You for Your overflowing, self-giving love. Amen! 

 

When I read today’s devotion I was reminded of Romans 8:39, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. God loves you even in your darkest hours. He comforts you even in your darkest moments. He forgives you even in your darkest failures, why, because God is love. We are created in the image of a God who is loving and relational. To love God is the greatest virtue; to be loved by God is the greatest of blessings. 

 

Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 

 

Today’s Reading is Isaiah 43:2