God Is Love - Thursday, 07/23/2026

Read: Luke 22:39–46; Luke 23:32–46; Luke 24:1–12; Psalm 136:1–9, 23–26

Memory Verse Connection: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” — Psalm 136:1

Some people think love is mostly a feeling. Something warm, sweet, and easy.

But the story of Jesus shows us that God’s love is stronger than that. On the night before the cross, Jesus prayed in deep anguish. He knew betrayal, loneliness, pain, and fear. On the cross, Jesus entered the worst human beings could do—and still answered with mercy. Then, on Easter morning, God’s love proved stronger than sin, violence, shame, and death.

That is not sentimental love. That is saving love.

Psalm 136 repeats one line again and again: “His faithful love endures forever.” The repetition matters because we need to hear it more than once. When life is joyful: God’s faithful love endures forever. When life is painful: God’s faithful love endures forever. When we fail: God’s faithful love endures forever. When we are grieving: God’s faithful love endures forever. When we are starting again: God’s faithful love endures forever.

At Rainforest Falls, kids learned that God is love. Not just that God has love. Not just that God shows love sometimes. God is love all the way down. Jesus shows us what God’s love looks like: present, forgiving, self-giving, courageous, and alive.

For reflection: Where do you need to trust that God’s faithful love is still holding you?

Try this today: Repeat this phrase throughout the day: “God’s faithful love endures forever.” Say it when things go well. Say it when things are hard.

Prayer: Loving God, thank you for the love we see in Jesus. Thank you for a love stronger than fear, stronger than failure, and stronger than death. Help us receive your love today and share it with others in simple, courageous ways. Amen.