This week I am sharing a daily devotional each morning that I originally wrote for Lifeway’s “Open Windows” devotional guide. I hope you are encouraged in your faith by these short meditations!
1 John 4:16, “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”
It is one thing to know a fact, but it’s another thing entirely to believe that fact. I may know that exercise is good for me in an intellectual way. But when I get outside and go for a run, I show that I believe that exercise is good for me. Knowing I should run usually keeps me on the couch. Believing I should run has helped me to finish a marathon.
This distinction is especially important in love. A wife may know that her husband loves her because of his marriage covenant with her, but she believes it when she sees him sacrificing for her. A child may know that his mother loves him, but he believes it when she hugs him after he falls down. It’s important to know that you are married or who your mom is. Knowledge brings crucial assurance of our relationships. But believing that those relationships are good for you is necessary to feel love.
John wants the readers of 1 John to both know and believe the love that God has for them. The gospel tells us that God is love, but putting our faith in Jesus means that we believe His love is for us. Know it. Believe it. Feel it. God loves you.
Father, looking to the cross changes me. Help me to both know and believe Your great love for me.
He Must Become Greater 
Sometimes it’s hard to believe God’s great love for us because we aren’t liking who we are.
Pastor Tim, your devotionals are both appreciated and meaningful…. thank you for your ongoing efforts! In spite of relocating to Ohio and joining a local church, I still view Northshire as my “home church” and in so many ways, you as my Pastor. You are a blessing to many of us… may our Lord continue to bless your ministry! With love from the midwest… Jim