Feeling Love and Experiencing God

We read in the Bible: ‘’God is love‘’. We believe this, but often only in theory.

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Ro 5:5 NIV

How is it possible to receive strong love without experiencing tender feelings?

We hold to the truth of the Bible with conviction and determination, but when it comes to experiencing God's love, feeling His tenderness, many Bible-believing Christians shy away.

... to search for God, if perhaps indeed they might feel around for him and find him. And indeed he is not far away from each one of us, Ac 17:27 LEB

According to the Bible, we may find God by feeling around.

This should shake Bible-believing intellectuals out of their theological world of thought.

The Holy Scriptures tell us in plain language that we can feel God.

O God, you are my God; I will seek you diligently. My soul thirsts for you; my flesh longs for you as in a dry and weary land without water. Ps 63:1 LEB

My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Ps 84:2 NIV

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Ps 34:5 NIV

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Ps 34:8 NIV

They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. Ps 36:8 NIV

The Song of Solomon is intended to illustrate the love of God.

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— for your love is more delightful than wine. So 1:2 NIV

We also read in the New Testament that extreme emotions are quite all right.

You have sorrow now, but I will see you again and then you will rejoice; and no one can rob you of that joy. Jn 16:22 The Living Bible

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 1 Pe 1:8 NIV

No Fear in Love

The Hebrews were afraid of God's immediate presence.

And they said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!” Ex 20:19 NLT

Should we look down on the Hebrews in the Bible? Not at all.

Many Christians today want to have a dry faith, holding fast to the written Word of God but wanting nothing to do with dramatic supernatural experiences.

We read the Psalms of David, and we see a very different attitude.

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 NIV84

How precious is Your loving-kindness, O God! Therefore, the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.

For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. Psalm 36:7–9 NKJV

It is good and important if your thoughts agree with God's Word, but did God save you so that you should be right in everything, or to experience His holy and tender love?

Many Christians theoretically believe in the delight and joy of God's presence, but they only expect it after they die. David did not think like that, neither did Paul.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace … Gal 5:22 NKJV

So many Christians suffer anxiety and stress. The overwhelming experience of the Holy Spirit is a wonderful therapy that God wants you to have.

You don’t need to be afraid of God. He wants to love you and share his joy with you.