ServantOne
Helping Others Get To Where They Want To Go
His Great Love
“How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your delights. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light.” (Psalm 36:7-9 ESV)
I don’t use the word “precious” too often . Having four daughters, the word brings back memories of stuffed baby dolls or tiny kittens.
The psalmist uses the word often. His purpose is not to describe something as “cute” or “adorable”, but to illustrate its “high value or cost”, or something that is “held in great esteem for its admirable qualities due to its intrinsic nature.”
The “steadfast” or never-changing, never-ending, never-diminishing love of God is of high value. We stand in awe of His compassion and care. God’s love is truest reflection of His nature. His precious love prompted the probationary peace offering of His Son (John 3:16) and provided for us, while we were still seperated from Him by sin. (Rom 5:8)
The psalmist reminds us that God’s love not only grants us eternal hope, but also gives us everyday help.
Our Refuge. “How precious is Your steadfast love, Oh God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.” (Ps 36:7) David knew how God’s passion was reflected in God’s protection. He writes, “The Lord is the strength of his people; He is the saving refuge of His anointed.” (Ps 28:8). As God’s anointed and designated leader, David was abandoned to and dependent on God’s love. It supported him. It sustained him. It sheltered him.
Our Refreshment. “They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your delights. For with You is the fountain of life;” (Ps 36:8-9a) God’s love renews and replenishes. David writes that we “drink from the river” of God’s delights. Cheryl Johnston Barton, a life long missionary with her husband, Bernie describes the “river of God’s delight” as an unending rushing flow of God’s abundant blessing. Jesus tells the woman at the well that He gives thirst quenching water that will spring from within and will never end. (John 4:14) His love is a refreshing fountain of life that always satisfies . . . it is our provision.
Our Reflection. God’s love allows us to see ourselves as He sees us . . . flawed, but forgiven . . . sinners with guilt, but saved by grace . . . seeking approval, we are surrendered and accepted. “In Your light, do we see light.” (Ps 36:9b) God’s love allows to clearly see our yesterday, our today and our tomorrow. Paul reminds us of the reflecting perspective of God’s love in 1 Cor 13:12, “We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing Him directly just as He knows us!” (MSG)
Fredrick Lehman wrote these words, “Oh, love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong It shall forevermore endure . . . The saints’ and angels’ song.”
His love is precious.
ServantOne 