There is Only Love in Drawing

"Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." Jer 31:3

The word "drawn" must not be overlooked here. Notice that drawing is used in this text and not driven. The Hebrew word drawn means to lengthen, develop, or delay. It is as if the Lord is saying, "Because I love thee, I will not speedily force thee; I desire to win thee by my love." Our world is subject to creation's laws and yields submissively to them. Gravity is one example. No sooner does the apple ripen on a tree than it begins its fall downward. Gravity did not draw it from its place but forced it. Yet man's heart does not yield so willingly.

By nature, we resist at every point. But Christ's love does not relent. The heart upon whom Christ's affections rest may resist for a while but will eventually yield. Why doesn't Omnipotence rip down rebellion and crush pride into submission? The text answers, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." Christ's salvation has two gravitating forces: love and kindness, that blend into one irresistible drawing power. Omnipotence can command the stars, but the stars are not Christ's affection. The human heart is. You see, He has made us such that the human spirit can only be won by love. Jesus would have sinners drawn to Him by the beauty of His salvation, the multiplicity of His benefits, and the love of His heart. Therefore, He removes from Himself all that would force the will. He will not conquer by fear what may be won by affection.

God is love. And by that attribute, we understand why He moves so slowly. Love is patient, love is kind. This drawing lets us see His precious Person by degrees, wooing us with His kindness as He canticles to us His song of redeeming love. Who can compare the cross to the crown? Only Jesus can. And while both are equally glorious, Christ would have us drawn by His cross rather than driven by His crown. That drawing is not always beautiful. Not always poetic or pleasant. But is, by every inch, pure love. Because we are fallen, Jesus draws us by the slow cord, by the soft song, by the wooing of the heart. 

Dear one, there is only love in drawing.