02-25-2026 PART 2: Everlasting Love and Guarding the Joy

Section 1

Jeremiah 31:3 declares, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” That everlasting love stands at the center of the gospel. John 3:16 reinforces it: God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life. The love is not abstract; it is demonstrated through giving—through Jesus Himself. Many remember the early days of faith when Scripture seemed alive, prayer felt immediate, and God’s hand appeared everywhere. Simple trust produced bold prayers and visible answers. Those honeymoon moments were real and beautiful, revealing a relationship that was personal and alive.

Section 2

Yet growth in Christ also introduces spiritual opposition. Paul warned in 2 Corinthians 11:3 that just as Eve was deceived, believers’ minds could be led astray from sincere and pure devotion to Christ. The enemy’s tactic is subtle—small questions, whispered doubts, suggestions that God’s love has diminished or that failure has disqualified the believer. Spiritual warfare intensifies once allegiance shifts to Christ. Ephesians 6 reminds believers to armor up because the battle is real. The simplicity of devotion can be clouded by accusation, distraction, or shame. The enemy does not need spectacle; he only needs suggestion. That is why guarding the heart and mind is essential to sustaining joy.

Section 3

David’s prayer in Psalm 51:12 captures the heart of the struggle: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” Even a man after God’s own heart needed restoration. Joy can fade under pressure, distraction, or spiritual attack. The solution is not abandonment but renewal. Remembering the days of first devotion, returning to simplicity, and asking God for a willing spirit restores strength. Everlasting love does not fluctuate with human performance. God’s kindness remains constant, even when feelings waver. The call is to fight for joy, to cling to the truth of His unchanging love, and to guard the simplicity of devotion that began the journey.