January 3 | Bible in a Year: Genesis 7–9; Matthew 3

When Love Never Ends

The Lord watches over all who love him. Psalm 145:20

READ Psalm 145:8–20

“Whenever my grandfather took me to the beach,” Sandra reminisced, “he always took off his watch and put it away. One day I asked him why.”

“He smiled and replied, ‘Because I want you to know how important my moments with you are to me. I just want to be with you and let time go by.’ ”

I heard Sandra share that recollection at her grandfather’s funeral. It was one of her favorite memories of their life together. As I reflected on how valued it makes us feel when others take time for us, it brought to mind Scripture’s words on God’s loving care.

God always makes time for us. David prayed in Psalm 145, “You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near” (vv. 16–18).

God’s goodness and thoughtful attention sustain our lives each moment, providing us with air to breathe and food to eat. Because He is rich in love, the Creator of all things mercifully crafts even the most intricate details of our existence.

God’s love is so deep and unending that in His kindness and mercy He’s even opened the way to eternal life and joy in His presence, as if to say, “I love you so much, I just want to be with you forever, and let time go by.”

By James Banks

How does your availability to others reflect God’s faithful love for them? In what ways can you follow His example by making time for others today?

Father, thank You for Your perfect love. Please help me to praise You for it and to share it with others today.

Read God Is Love. 

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Psalm 145 is the last of David’s psalms and introduces the hymns of praise (Pss. 146–150) that fittingly complete the book. This psalm specifically praises God for His generosity and goodness toward His people. One special feature is the many different words it uses for “praise”: “exalt” (v. 1); “extol” (v. 2); “commends” and “tell” (v. 4); “speak” and “meditate” (v. 5); “proclaim” (v. 6); “celebrate” and “joyfully sing” (v. 7). Verse 8 extols God for being “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” For some, these phrases seem contrary to the God of wrath often depicted in the Old Testament. But He’s always been the God of justice and mercy! We see the phrase “gracious and compassionate” attributed to Him throughout the Old Testament (Exodus 34:6; 2 Chronicles 30:9; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 86:15; 103:8; 111:4; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2).