Well, it’s Valentine’s Day – a day to celebrate love in all its glorious forms. While romantic love gets top billing, phileo, or friendship love and agape, or self-sacrificing love, are also a part of this day dedicated to love and matters of the heart. Valentine’s Day is a day of cards, candy, flowers, flowery love poems and hearts – always hearts.

It is believed the first Valentine ever sent was from Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife. He wrote to her, penning a romantic poem, while imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415. It must have been well received, because we are still sending Valentines to this day. Valentine’s Day can be cause for celebration, or it can be cause for heartache for those whose special love is no longer here or for those whom love has hit and run, leaving wounds that have not healed. (some hurts even chocolate can’t heal)

For the broken hearted, Valentine’s Day may be the most dreaded day of all the days on the calendar. It is a day reminding those of us with hurting hearts of the love we lack, painfully pointing it out for all to see. And yet, there is hope for the hurting heart, not just on Valentine’s Day but on every day of the year. Psalm 34:18 reassures me,

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Then I am reminded what God says in Jeremiah 31:3,

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”

That’s what we all search for, long for, wait for our entire lives isn’t it? – a love so strong as to be everlasting – a love that doesn’t wear out or get bored or give up on us. That’s how God loves you and me, dear readers. He loves us with an inexhaustible love, a love that says to us,

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

If you’ve been looking your whole life for that one great love, consider these words from John 15:13,

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” That’s exactly what Jesus did for you and for me. He laid down His life so that we might live.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Valentine’s Day is all about love and about the heart. God is the maker of our hearts and the author and initiator of true love in every life. God has revealed His love for us in His love letter to the world, the Bible. (maybe the Bible is actually the first Valentine – it certainly contains some love poetry) In the Bible, God proclaims His love for us and reveals His plan to redeem us, His intention to return for us and what it will be like when He takes us to be with Him forever.

“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4)

We have a romantic, dramatic rescue in our future, which is described in Revelation 20:11-14 like this,

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.”

Loved with an everlasting love, rescued by Someone both Faithful and True riding in on a white horse to save me – the Bible really is the ultimate love letter for all time, and it was written to you and to me! This Valentine’s Day we might be in the midst of trials and troubles – but we can take heart – our Deliverer is coming and He will make good on every single promise. Jesus says to us,

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Jesus, the only One strong enough to protect my heart, strong enough to hold my heart securely – the only Person gentle enough not to completely crush my heart in the process. Jesus said,

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3)

take heart! – the Rider of the white horse is returning for me and for you – He has overcome the world and He has not forgotten us – we have His love letter – I am His valentine, you are His valentine!

sincerely, Grace Day