Over the weekend I attended a concert where the choir sang, can you feel the love tonight? from Disney’s Lion King.
On hearing the title I coupled this with a talk I had listened to recently on Jeremiah 29 v 11.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
The true context of this passage was when the defeated Jews, at a very low moment, were being led off in shame and humiliation by their captors the Babylonians God was saying you still have, not the world’s hope, but my hope. I have not abandoned you. My grace and its promise are still there. I am with you; I will listen to you.
Joining the song with this passage which so often is not read in its true context enabled me to see the link.
Taking this more personally,
When there appears to be no answer,
Can you feel the love tonight?
Where prayers go off into what feels like a bottomless pit rather than being immediately answered,
Can you feel the love tonight?
When you are feeling lost, hopelessly inadequate and consequently wretched,
Can you feel the love tonight?
When you can’t see the light of the world, only the sinful darkness of night,
Can you feel the love tonight?
When others refuse you, reject you, ridicule and ignore you for your beliefs,
Can you feel the love tonight?
When it just seems to be one wilderness trial after another and you feel so crushed,
Can you feel the love tonight?
When you feel abandoned and deserted,
Can you feel the love tonight?
When things happen that you just can’t explain or understand or find too hard to bear,
Can you feel the love tonight?
When you are misunderstood and your heartfelt good intentions are thrown back at you,
Can you feel the love tonight?
When you sin, fall short, can’t find the words to adequately express what you mean,
Can you feel the love tonight?
Can you feel the love tonight, from someone who knows the very hairs on your head, who has known you since before creation and who was betrayed, rejected and killed by those He came to love and save.
Who is faithful, who will never turn away, who is there in the darkest hours or the brightest times and who dearly wants to spend, the rest of eternity with you.
Can you feel the love tonight of your heavenly father who is the very personification of love?
Can you feel His love tonight?
With all blessings
Tony
PS this blog is normally updated each Monday.