Sometimes relationships grow stale. We go through the steps of being a friend, a family member, or a spouse, but something goes missing. What gets lost is love. Without love pulsating through them, relationships grow cold. This is why love has an up-front place in the letter of Revelation to all of Jesus’ family members, his church.

Revelation begins by recognizing and rejoicing in the truth that God loves us. In fact, this theme runs like a common thread through every book of the Bible.

God’s love was well known to his people. So why would this letter state the obvious? Because the people and the churches they were part of, who were the first to receive the letter of Revelation, were facing tough times. Living by faith in Jesus, they met with public persecution and opposition. And that tempted people to let their faith cool and grow lukewarm.

You may be facing a tough day today too. As we walk through dark valleys in life, we especially need the assurance that God loves us.

Let this good news enter your heart. Be sure to take it with you to the tougher places in your life, and be assured that nothing in all of creation “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).