Dear Friend,

Valentine’s Day can make people think about love and commitments. But love is much more than chocolate and flowers. Amen. There are different types of love—the love between friends, the love of family, and of course the love in marriage. In all of these relationships, however, there should be trust, loyalty, honesty, and love.

One example of love that has always stood out to me was the bond between Jonathan and David in the Old Testament. Their bond was so strong that Jonathan warned David when Saul wanted to kill him. First Samuel 19:2 says: But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself. It took courage for Jonathan to make a stand for David against his own father.

First Samuel 20:16 says: So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the Lord even require it at the hand of David’s enemies. Jonathan and David took their oath to one another very seriously, and even after Jonathan’s death, David took care of his family.

We have that same loyalty from our Lord Jesus. He loved us so much that He died for us. His love for us will never change. Jesus made a provision that is ours until we go to spend all of eternity with Him. He says in John 14:26: But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. The Holy Spirit can help us into a deeper relationship with Jesus and our Father.

In John 13:23, we see the love Jesus shared with His disciple John—it is a place of closeness and intimacy we can all enjoy with the Lord: Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

I know our Father has a plan for each and every one of us. Jesus made a way for us, and the Holy Spirit will teach us how to love and serve our Lord. My prayer is that we can move forward in His love, forgive, and let go of all the things that have hurt and hindered us. Amen. Hebrews 4:16 says: Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus is our Beloved, and He deserves all of the love and respect that we can give Him. I believe we will when we forgive and let go of our hurts and offenses, and if we allow Him, He will help us do just that.

I love you! Have a blessed and happy Valentine’s Day!

In His love,

Donner Roberson