08/07/2026
Daily Groundings with Pastor Darrin
“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” — 1 John 4:16 (NLT)
Understanding the Father’s Heart
“God is love.”
We are deeply familiar with this truth, and we should always remember that love is the very essence of who God is. At the same time, we must remember that as a loving Father, God is also completely just in how He treats His children. Just as a good earthly father disciplines out of care, there are times when God must correct and guide us back to the right path.
Even when Scripture speaks of the wrath of God, it stems from His love.
You might wonder: How can wrath co-exist with love?
Consider the story of S***m. God revealed His plan to Abraham, allowing Abraham to intercede and plead for mercy if righteous people were found there. Lot, who sought to live righteously, was warned and delivered before destruction fell. The judgment on that city was real, but it was driven by love—a love so profound for creation that God dealt decisively with corruption to keep it from destroying everything.
Love That Protects and Prunes
An orchard keeper cuts away a diseased tree, not out of malice, but to protect the health of the entire grove.
A shepherd shields the flock from danger, intervening before harm spreads to the rest.
God operates with that same protective care. He loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Part of that love involves pruning. At times, God removes habits, desires, or influences from our lives that hinder our spiritual growth. We may not always understand why He allows or does certain things in the moment, but we can rest securely in this: God is love, His heart is good, and His ways are higher than ours.