Padlocks Only

Nº 205

weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - JuLY 5, 2022

God’s unfailing love for us is an objective fact affirmed over and over in the Scriptures. It is true whether we believe it or not. Our doubts do not destroy God’s love, nor does our faith create it. It originates in the very nature of God, who is love, and it flows to us through our union with His beloved Son. - Jerry Bridges

A bridge over the Rhine River in Cologne, Germany is part of a worldwide phenomenon. Lovers, professing their undying commitment to each other, attach a lock to a bridge support and fling the key into the water below. The imagery is clear; nothing will unlock the bond of love they share.

As I gaped at the thousands and thousands of locks, my eye caught a few oddities. Some were not keyed locks; a few were the combination style. I guess those couples missed the ‘forever and ever’ part of the imagery!

God’s love for us is the padlock variety, not the combination kind. His love for us is more than a passing emotion or a short-term, conditional relationship. His love is deep, steadfast, and committed. He faithfully seeks the best for us despite our incessant wanderings.

The prophet Isaiah understood God’s unrelenting love for us and recorded God’s confession of affection. “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you.” (Isaiah 54:10a)

God confirmed His steadfast love when He gave His only begotten Son to die in our place. No temporary combination lock will do. He offers a forever padlock relationship of love.

Dan Bolin President Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc