Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 136:1-9
Ps 136:1-9
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. 4 to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. 5 who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. 6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. 7 who made the great lights--His love endures forever. 8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.
1 Tim 4:4-5
4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
“His love endures forever.” Love is not something that God has learned or that he practices because he is nice. God is love. Love is a part of his very nature, of who he is. His love is not some fuzzy feeling or some erotic desire. The love of God is that part of him that wants what is best for each person, and only what is the best for them. It can never be the intention of God to act from an evil motive.
But his love must be accepted by a trusting heart. The example of King David is filled with the love of God and how it was shown to him. Even when David did wrong, it was because of his heart that God treated him with compassion and was merciful to him. God delivered him from his enemies, gave him victory over the defiant giant, and subdued the nations before him. David trusted God.
His love is to be perfected in us. John says that when we allow the love of God into our hearts so that it shows to others and it controls us, his love is perfected in us. He also says that when we obey his commands the love of God is perfected in us. The Spirit works in us as the children of God and one of the results is love.
We are told to imitate the Father and walk in love. This love allows us to forgive any who have done us wrong just as we have been forgiven in Christ. It prompts us to be patient toward others as he is patient with us. Perfected love will cause us to be kind toward even those who are unkind to us. This love is from God.
Heavenly Father, God of love, I am so thankful for what you have done for me in Jesus Christ and what you continue to do every day. Thank you for loving me and showing me how to love others. When I look at myself and my life in comparison to you and your holiness, I am but filthy rags. But because of your grace, your abounding kindness and your great love, I can be counted as righteous. Use me to do your bidding and to serve you as I serve others. I ask you to be with our leaders so we can live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness. In Jesus name.
Robert
