January 22 – Unfailing Love (Psalm 107)

“Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord.” (Psalm 107:43)

IN WORD:
In a secular society, depression statistics rise dramatically. Suicide rates soar. Anger, bitterness, and hopelessness are evident in the cultural expressions of our times. Why? There is often a missing ingredient in the psyche of modern man: the love of God.
Whenever we take retribution into our own hands; seek to feed ourselves with substances or ideas that only soothe bruised egos; become envious, strive to get ahead, or lose hope; we have forgotten this missing ingredient. The love of God renders all of our false emotions pointless.
Think about your emotional tendencies. Don’t most of our behavioral problems and psychological flaws come from an insecurity deep within? But if we, the redeemed, were thoroughly convinced of God’s love — the unflinching goodness which He has shown us since the dawn of creation — then we would lose the basis of nearly every one of our insecurities. Those who have immersed themselves in the immeasurable love of God are wise indeed — and extremely secure. They have no need to envy; no desire for revenge; no reason to fear; no time for pettiness; and no cause for self-promotion.
Read Psalm 107. Are you wandering in a wasteland (v. 4)? Are you suffering in chains (v. 10)? Have you been rebellious (v. 17)? Has the tempest threatened your safety (v. 25)? The wise response is found in verses 6, 13, 19, and 28: “They cried out to the Lord in their trouble.” The result is always deliverance, at least by His definition if not ours. Why? Because God’s love is unfailing. This psalm alone says so 5 times. The Word could not be more emphatic.

IN DEED:
Human nature tells us to hide when we’re in trouble. God’s Word tells us to cry out to Him. Following God’s Word is infinitely wiser than following fallen human nature. The next time you’re in distress, cling to one unalterable fact: the unfailing love of God for His redeemed.

“God does not love us because we are valuable. We are valuable because He loves us. -Bishop Fulton Sheen-