God’s Garden
A holy heart is the garden where God plants the flower of His love.
God’s love to His people is an ancient love, it dates from eternity. (Ephesians 1:4)
He loves them with a choice, distinguishing love; they are the “dearly beloved of His soul.” (Jeremiah 12:7).
The men of the world have bounty dropping from God’s fingers—but the godly have love dropping from God’s heart. He gives to one—a golden cup; to the other—a golden kiss.
God loves the godly, just as He loves Christ (John 17:26). It is the same love in kind, though not in degree. Here the saints merely sip God’s love; in heaven they shall drink of rivers of pleasure (Psalm36:8).
The love of God to His people is permanent. Death may take their life away from them—but not God’s love: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness!” (Jeremiah 31:3).
– Thomas Watson, The Godly Man’s Picture