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Devotional for April 30, 2020

Glorious and Majestic Love

"They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works." (Psalm 145:5 NIV)


Even though slowly but surely many states are going to attempt to open their economies back up starting tomorrow, in many ways things remain the same. Where I live, gatherings of more than ten people are still prohibited, so going back to in-person worship is going to be cancelled for at least another couple of weeks. We are still encouraged to practice social distancing out in public, and wear masks when shopping. A growing number of people have filed for unemployment in the past month. Schools will continue to meet online for the rest of the school year.

We continue to pray for an end to the pandemic and everything it has caused, because we believe that God is all-powerful, mighty, and majestic. As a result, He has the power to stop the pandemic, and we believe that, even now, He is working to bring a solution to the pandemic, more ways of "flattening the curve," an antidote, or even a cure. However, in addition to being all-powerful, we are also to remember that God uses His power for one purpose: to show His love. Since His love is connected with His power, His love is greater than any love we could ever possibly experience.

God's love is generous. We do not have to do anything to earn His love, He simply loves us because that is His chief characteristic and first inclination - to love. We do not have to make ourselves more "lovable" or acceptable to God: He simply loves us because that is who He is and is His very nature. He not only gives us everything we need, He does so willingly. He even provided for our salvation by sending His Son to die on the cross and rise again, in the greatest expression of love ever. He has an unending store of provisions for us, so He is able to provide us with everything we need, for our spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. He not only provides for us materially, but He also cares about our hearts and minds. He is always there to encourage us, reassure us, and comfort us. He does all this not out of some sort of obligation, but because He wants to. He cares for us so deeply that He wants to love us in this way.

God's love is also all-encompassing. He is generous to everyone equally. He shows His generosity to everyone unconditionally, and regardless of any other factors. He is even generous to those who do not know Him, or do not yet know Him. He embraces and accepts all people, and all of us. He is no respecter of anything we may set up as divisions between each other. He unites us in His love by loving each one of us unconditionally. He shows us, and everyone, true love by loving us all equally and unconditionally. His love also changes us: as we experience His love, and His loving care and provision frees us from having to worry about whether we are loved, we become free to love others as He loves us. We learn to love others unconditionally, and are changed each day to love unconditionally, becoming more like God. Today, as we await the end of the pandemic, let us continue to experience God's mighty love, and be changed by it more, to show His unconditional love.

Dear God, thank you that your love for me is always so generous. Help me to be thankful for everything you have given me in your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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