Press the arrow to listen to Newsboys sing “He Reigns” as you read today’s devotion about the love of God.

Scripture
“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and I called my son out of Egypt.
But the more I called to him,
the farther he moved from me….
I myself taught Israel how to walk,
leading him along by the hand.
But he doesn’t know or even care
that it was I who took care of him.
“Oh, how can I give you up, Israel?
How can I let you go?
My heart is torn within me,
and my compassion overflows.
Hebrews 11:1-3; 8

Observation
The heart of God is so great that it takes entire nations of millions of individuals to absorb his capacity for love and relationship. It is almost strange to read this description of God’s emotions toward the entire nation of Israel. He refers to millions as if they were just one person, a son whom he loves.

This shows us the greatness of God, that it takes entire nations to satisfy his desire for fellowship.

This shows us the limitlessness of the love of God, for there is so much love in him that he can give all he has to all there are and yet have more to give.

This shows us the greater marvel of God, for though he is powerful he is so very personal. A God who can speak of millions as if he were talking to his own son, is the same God who can locate me in the crowd and love me personally. He knows my name and how to speak it in such a way that I want to come to him.

Application
Sometimes I am too selfish in my relationship with the Lord. I need to give room in my heart for millions to be as close to him as I feel him near to me.  All the while, I must keep a confidence that he loves me with personal precision.

Prayer
Father, the enormity of your heart is beyond words, it must be experienced. Love nations through me and find me in the middle of my nation loving you. Amen.

From Norway the Oslo Choir sings the Power of Your Love. Press the arrow to listen as you read today’s devotion.

Scripture
….His love endures forever. Psalm 135

Observation
I had a friend who came to Christ by the sunrise. His teenage daughter announced she was pregnant and he not only thought the sun would never rise again, he never wanted the sun to rise again. But morning after morning, the sun rose, birds sang and life went on. The persistence of sunlight, combined with years of the witness of his wife, brought him to Christ. It was God who pulled that sun up over the horizon to remind him that his love does endure forever.

God’s love does endure forever. Psalm 135 is a bullet point tour of times when God showed up and did something to save his people. The psalm tells many facts but it gives only one lesson: no matter what happens next, there is more love to come from the Lord.

In this long list of accomplishments, there are two constants.

First, God’s love can persist through any hostile opposition. No human anger, force of nature or enemy is greater than he. God’s love is not lipid; it is lethal to those who oppose it. We think of problems as the persistent thing of life. This Psalm lifts our eyes beyond that to see that the love of God is the persistent thing.

Second, God has left persistent reminders to us of his love. The heavens, sun and moon are starters. Then littered through our lives are accomplishments we were strong enough or smart enough to muster. These accomplishments are God’s valentines to us.

Application
There is almost an unspoken invitation at the end of this psalm to us to continue this list for ourselves in our own lives. As I look backward in my life, what are the monuments of God’s love to me? As I look forward, what intimidates me that his love will outlast?

Prayer
Father, it is humbling to pray to a God like you, who not only feels love for me but acts it out. Your love does endure forever. Amen.