ABOUNDING. This is another adjective. It is also translated as “great” but great seems too ordinary to describe what this word often describes — the love of God. A Bible dictionary defines it as “remarkable or out of the ordinary in degree, magnitude, or effect.” This is a word about size and quantity.
Almost all uses in the OT are in this phrase: “abounding in steadfast love” with a few adding “and faithfulness.” Most of them have a certain context . . .
‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’ (Numbers 14:18)
In other words, God’s love covers sin yet for those who will not receive it, their sin will affect them and all who come after them. Rejecting the love of God means suffering for children, their children, and their children’s children.
They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. (Nehemiah 9:17)
God’s immense love will cover anything for anyone who desires forgiveness. His love abounds in grace and mercy as well as slowness of anger and His faithful presence. We are loved, not because we deserve or earn it but because His vast love covers a multitude of sins.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. (Psalm 86:5) and rend your hearts and not your garments.” . . . Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. (Joel 2:13)
Again, this abounding love is for all who call upon God. It is huge, a love that melts our hearts because it also melts the heart of God.
In the NT, abounding most often describes what God’s abounding love will do in the lives of His people. It gives us the love we need for one another and is the source of our ability to care for and serve others. In our own strength we falter and cannot do it.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8) . . . And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, (Philippians 1:9) I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. (Philippians 4:12)
This love is received from God when He saves us and comes into our lives. It is there for us as we walk with Him for the rest of our lives:
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6–7)
It is also increasing — because there is no end of its supply. As I learn to empty myself of all those sinful “I wants” His love comes in to fill the space so that the Lord can “make me increase and abound in love for one another and for all” (1 Thessalonians 3:12)
GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. Of all the hugeness and greatness of God’s attributes, the one that is described as “abounding” is His love! It is odd — something that seems self-serving (like wallowing in and totally drinking up this love of God) works the way it does. The more I experience and appreciate His love for me, the easier it becomes to pour out that love to others. Love tends to be a sacrificial action, but when it is sourced in the love of God, the well never runs dry. The more love is given, the more there is to give “because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)
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