“For a brief moment I deserted you,

but with great compassion I will gather you.

In overflowing anger for a moment

I hid my face from you,

but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”

says the LORD, your Redeemer. vs7-8

God’s love, mercy, and kindness are everlasting. It will overcome the consequences of sin. It will bring us the comfort, peace, and joy that we need.

First, this love is upon the elect. “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau I have hated.” We are the apple of His eye and the children of His favor. We have been chosen to never perish, and what a privilege it is - to obtain mercy from God apart from our works, simply because He chose to be gracious. 2 Tim 1:9, “Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, nor according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”

He has loved us, and He will not stop. Nothing turns Him away.

Secondly, this love chastens us! “For a mere moment have I forsaken you… In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you.” It was love that sent us to Babylon, and love brings us out. He didn’t start loving us when He delivered us. He loved us while we were in sin, and His love has brought us out. Love disciplined us and caused us to be corrected, but behind a frowning providence, He hid a smiling face. Looking upon us THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, His love spanked us and now soothes us. Love makes us hurt for our sins, and it provides us the remedy. Love makes sin hurtful, until we forsake it. Love makes us aware that we are wrong, so that we can be made right.

Thirdly, this love brings us to Christ! “With everlasting love, I will have compassion on you.” It is everlasting love that has compassion, when we see Christ sufficient for our sins and receive the comfort of the Spirit. He brings us to repentance and faith. He makes us forsake our sin like a filthy thing, so that we can have the comfort of God. He strips us and clothes us, opens the door to all who believe, and He compels us to come in with convicting power. He reveals that Jesus is not offended and receives us warmly. We taste forgiveness and cleansing. Our conscience rejoices, and our feet are set in God’s way. We experience supernatural power to be obedient. God’s love puts wind in our tired sails. We come to Christ and our souls are no longer empty: they overflow with the water of life and hunger no more. We feed on Jesus Christ, taking His obedience as our relationship with God, and the things that He’s earned as our inheritance!

Fourthly, God’s love is good for the future! It is, “Everlasting love.” Hallelujah. It’s not only for the past but also for the time that’s coming! We have failed and know ourselves sinful, but now we know that He will stick with us. We don’t have to worry about tomorrow: His love will be sufficient. He will chasten us if we need it, but He will not stop loving us with compassion. We fear His anger, but we hope in His delivering power. We know now more than ever that He is faithful, and we tell the world that He can be trusted. He will not let us go, and He will not falter. He will keep us to the end.

Fifthly, God’s love is for the sinner. Do you see how we’ve transgressed, and He has healed us? Look to Him, if you’ve never tasted this love, or if you have long forgotten. He restores our First Love, after years of languishing. He receives sinners, and He is their Friend. The Pharisees' accusation is His very glory: God is gracious, merciful, and He delights in one sinner who repents [Luke 15]! He rejoices to find the lost soul. He makes you a trophy of His grace. He did not compromise His standard, but He brings us to confession, repentance, and faith. He satisfied His own law, and none can cavill against His justice. He has a right to love and save sinners. He is justified to show mercy.