The One Thing We Can Rely On
When was the last time you relied on something and it failed you? Maybe it was an appliance, a vehicle, or an electronic device. Perhaps it was a provision, a position, or success. Or maybe it was something far deeper — a relationship, your health, your family, or even your church community.
It’s disheartening, sometimes heartbreaking, when things fail. But the truth is, none of these things are completely dependable.
Electronics eventually wear out. Success is fleeting. Relationships shift. And churches are made up of imperfect people just like us.
Yet there is one thing we can always rely on: God’s love.
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.” (1 John 4:16)
This is what the apostle John wrote in one of his letters as an older man who had endured tremendous persecution, loss, and hardship. And in his final years, life didn’t get any easier. He was exiled to the remote island of Patmos—far from comfort, community, and familiarity. Yet even then, despite his hurts and hardships, John never doubted God’s immense love for him. He relied on it. He trusted it. He believed in it.
Relying on God’s Love
Relying on God’s love begins with the absolute assurance not simply that God loves, but that He loves us. It’s this knowledge that makes His love both personal and profound to us.
This is why John wrote, “We have come to know [by personal observation and experience], and to believe [with deep, consistent faith] the love that God has for us.” — 1 John 4:16 (AMP).
This matter because knowing about God’s love is not the same as experiencing it personally. Instead, knowing God’s love means recognizing it as greater, bigger, more powerful, and more real than our present reality. It means knowing that nothing we have or will ever face can separate us from His love. And ultimately, it means knowing that God loved us so much He sent Jesus to die for our sins so we could know Him as Friend and Father.
What This Looks Like
Practically, relying on God’s love looks like:
Trusting His perfect love that casts out fear (1 John 4:18).
Depending on His steadfast love that never ends (Lamentations 3:22).
Resting in His love that delivers and protects us (Psalm 91:14).
Believing in His mercy, His love, and His saving grace (Ephesians 2:4–5).
Finally, it looks like remembering His love that “never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” (1 Corinthians 13:7).
The truth is, relying on God’s love is a daily commitment and choice. We can choose to rely on ourselves, on others, or on whatever feels most dependable in any given moment. Or, far better, we can choose to trust the truth of Scripture:
“I have loved you… with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3)
“You are precious to me… and I love you.” (Isaiah 43:4)
“…with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord, your Redeemer.” (Isaiah 54:8)
These are just a few of the many verses that reveal God’s heart toward us. Our Father loves us so very much (1 John 3:1)—nothing will ever change this. His love is consistent, persistent, and patient. It is trustworthy, infallible, and unshakeable. It is beautiful, matchless, and holy.
This is the love God has for us.
It’s certain, steady, and sure.
It’s eternal.
It’s the one thing we can always rely on.
Pray
Father God, thank You for Your unfailing, forever love. Empower me to trust, believe, and depend on it always, not only when life is easy and predictable, but also when it is hard and hurtful. Help me rely on Your love more than anything or anyone, including myself. I take peace in knowing Your love never changes. And like You, it never will. Amen.
Reflect
In what area of your life do you sense God inviting you to rely on His love more deeply? What steps will you take to rely on His love more than anyone or anything else?
My friends, your thoughts matter! I’d love to hear from you. Consider sharing your responses in the comment section below!