Sorry this is yesterday's devotional. The one for today will be posted at 5 PM EST.
For your love is as high as the heavens, your faithfulness extends to the clouds. Psalm 57:10 NRSV
When we tell someone we love them, we do mean it. But how deep or high is our love? Would we die for them? Be willing to watch them fail -- knowing it would make the stronger -- without stepping in to "help?" Could we give up everything for their sake without a guarantee that they would recognize our own sacrifice? Can we allow the ones we love complete control over all we have created with our own hands, trusting that they will eventually do their best on our behalf?
That is the kind of love that God has for us.
A love that is completely steadfast. There is nothing we can do to end God's love for us.
A love that is higher, deeper and broader than we can contemplate or imagine. God's love will always go beyond what we think God is capable of in loving us.
A love that we can only emulate without truly coming close.
That is God's love for you and me.
God, thank your for constant and deep love. I am truly in awe. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Showing posts with label God's love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's love. Show all posts
Friday, May 28, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
God's Attention
What are human beings, that you make so much of them, that you set your mind on them, visit them every morning, test them every moment? Job 7: 17-18 NRSV
In Job's response to his best friend's assumption that Job has sinned, Job takes a line from the Psalms (Psalm 8:4) and makes it a complaint. It is not a wonderful and amazing thing that God notices us humans. Instead, it is dreadful because God seems to be trying to catch us humans being bad. For Job, God seems to be watching us to see if we make mistakes. Job doesn't like this because he wants just a moment to get away from God's powerful eye. Job wishes just to take a breath after all that has happened to him.
Job has done nothing wrong and he knows this. He is trying to make sense of why God would allow all his crops and cattle to be destroyed. He wants to know why God would notice Job so much to allow all his children to be killed. Job struggles to make sense of why his own faithfulness is being rewarded by his ill health.
"Stop looking at me!" Job laments. "Why do you notice me? This is not a great thing at all!"
Have you ever felt like a bug under God's microscope? Have you ever wished that God would stop noticing you if only for a moment? Perhaps you have never been there. Right now you may enjoy God's attention. Suffering, however, can seem like God's punishment for something you may feel you have or haven't done. In either case, to be noticed by God when it comes to tragedy is not a good feeling.
God, we like your attention when it is protective and loving. When we feel you are searching our hearts and minds for things we have done wrong, it is not so great. Thank you for continuing to love us regardless. You attention is really an amazing thing. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
In Job's response to his best friend's assumption that Job has sinned, Job takes a line from the Psalms (Psalm 8:4) and makes it a complaint. It is not a wonderful and amazing thing that God notices us humans. Instead, it is dreadful because God seems to be trying to catch us humans being bad. For Job, God seems to be watching us to see if we make mistakes. Job doesn't like this because he wants just a moment to get away from God's powerful eye. Job wishes just to take a breath after all that has happened to him.
Job has done nothing wrong and he knows this. He is trying to make sense of why God would allow all his crops and cattle to be destroyed. He wants to know why God would notice Job so much to allow all his children to be killed. Job struggles to make sense of why his own faithfulness is being rewarded by his ill health.
"Stop looking at me!" Job laments. "Why do you notice me? This is not a great thing at all!"
Have you ever felt like a bug under God's microscope? Have you ever wished that God would stop noticing you if only for a moment? Perhaps you have never been there. Right now you may enjoy God's attention. Suffering, however, can seem like God's punishment for something you may feel you have or haven't done. In either case, to be noticed by God when it comes to tragedy is not a good feeling.
God, we like your attention when it is protective and loving. When we feel you are searching our hearts and minds for things we have done wrong, it is not so great. Thank you for continuing to love us regardless. You attention is really an amazing thing. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Thursday, November 12, 2009
An Endless List
You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you, were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted. Psalm 40:5 NRSV
This verse reminds me of the song that says "List your many blessings, count them one by one...." I cannot recall the song's title but I think of listing out all the things that are right in my life.
I have done this once or twice, especially when it seems like everything is going wrong in life. I simply thank God for a roof over my head, food on the table, clothes to wear and a vehicle to drive. I don't do this kind of thing to make myself as better or more worthy than others. However, I do realize that people in my own neighborhood may be without those same things.
The psalmist points to not just those personal blessings but communal ones as well. Such communal blessings include things like the creation of the universe, a beautiful fall day or God's love for each of us. In fact, what the psalm tells us is that we can never list all of God's blessings; they are simply too many for us to realize. God has given us so very much: there is no end to God's blessings. In the same way, there should be no end to our thankfulness.
God, our thankfulness to you for what you have given us has no end. Thank you! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Name at least one blessing that you are thankful for in this very moment.
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
This verse reminds me of the song that says "List your many blessings, count them one by one...." I cannot recall the song's title but I think of listing out all the things that are right in my life.
I have done this once or twice, especially when it seems like everything is going wrong in life. I simply thank God for a roof over my head, food on the table, clothes to wear and a vehicle to drive. I don't do this kind of thing to make myself as better or more worthy than others. However, I do realize that people in my own neighborhood may be without those same things.
The psalmist points to not just those personal blessings but communal ones as well. Such communal blessings include things like the creation of the universe, a beautiful fall day or God's love for each of us. In fact, what the psalm tells us is that we can never list all of God's blessings; they are simply too many for us to realize. God has given us so very much: there is no end to God's blessings. In the same way, there should be no end to our thankfulness.
God, our thankfulness to you for what you have given us has no end. Thank you! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Name at least one blessing that you are thankful for in this very moment.
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
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