Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures forever.” When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. Psalm 118:1-7 (NIV)
Heavenly Father, while owning the predictability of our daily stresses, the instability of world politics, and the complexities of human relationships, we join King David in shouting, “Your love endures forever!”
Indeed, the most certain, stable, dependable, and inexhaustible reality in our lives is your love, Father. We never could’ve deserved it or earned it, and now we can never lose it or reduce it. You love each of your children as much as you love your only Son, Jesus; and there’s really nothing we can do about it—except enjoy it, rely on it, and share it. Hallelujah!
In terms of the quantity of your love, we’re standing under the Niagara Falls of your affection, flowing out of the bottomless ocean of your grace. In terms of its reliability, though it’s cliché, your love is much more certain than death and taxes. In terms of its quality, the love you have for us is the same love, passion, and delight you’ve enjoyed forever with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In terms of endure-ability, you’ll cease to be God before you’ll stop loving your children.
Father, you give and you take away; you fill our lives with good things, and you grace our lives with difficult things. You are nearer than our next breath, yet sometimes you seem very far away. We can always count on you, but we can never manage you. But in all of it—in every last bit of the raptures and ruptures, ups and downs, windfalls and potholes of life, your love endures forever. Hallelujah! So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ strong and loving name.
