The Divine Hug

Do you sometimes need a hug? Do you sometimes long to be held close and embraced fervently by someone who loves you dearly? Probably. The need to be loved is universal. We were created to love and be loved. Without love, people dry up. Without it, they die.

But no one needs to suffer, or die, for lack of love. God is love. He loves us, period. And His love for us is immeasurable.

The Prodigal Son doubted his father’s love. He departed his father’s house. He depleted his father’s gifts. The father’s love, however, he could

not exhaust. Thinking about returning to his father, he wondered how he would be received. The most he could hope for was to be accepted as a servant and be allowed to work for his food.

But was he in for a surprise!

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20 NKJV)

The expression, “fell on his neck,” is a powerful figure of speech. It is an idiom for showing great affection. It pictures the father throwing his arms around his son, drawing him close, embracing him fervently and hanging on his neck in welcome. Oh, how he loved his son!

Interestingly, this is the same expression used in Acts 10:44, to describe what happened to Cornelius and the members of his household as they heard the Gospel.

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the message.” (Acts 10:44 NET). The Holy Spirit “fell on” them. That is, the Spirit put His arms around them and gave them a long, gigantic, passionate bear hug!

Child of God, the Father’s love for you is more than a doctrine. It is real. It is tangible. It is active. It is present. God’s love for you is a gigantic, never-ending hug. Believe this and you will never starve for love again!