Originally published Sunday, 23 February 2014.
God remembered us when we were down, His love never quits. Rescued us from the trampling boot, His love never quits. Takes care of everyone in time of need. His love never quits. Thank God, who did it all! His love never quits! Psalm 136:23-26 (MSG)
Sometimes in my life, it has looked like God's love has failed: my husband’s cancer diagnosis, for instance, or when a car knocked down my brother’s best friend and he died from his injuries.
It looked like God’s love quit on the day my friends were told, after three dead babies, that by a fluke of nature, they both carried something in their genes that meant their children would never live more than a day or two.
On days like those, it looks a lot like God’s love has walked out on me and the people I love.
When I read Psalm 136, I think the people involved must have sometimes felt like God’s love had quit, too.
It says, “The God who struck down the Egyptian firstborn. His love never quits.”
Where is God’s love in this verse? I’m pretty sure the Egyptians, and those that took care of the Egyptian first-born children (most probably Israelites), must have felt like Gods’ love failed them.
When I read, “The God who marched his people through the desert. His love never quits.” The Bible says they walked around for forty years in circles. I'm pretty sure that at some point someone started wondering, “God, where is the love?”
Through the recounting of all these bad things, this Psalm tells me, not just once but 26 times, that God’s love never fails.
God’s love never quits. (tweet this)
In fact, it takes it one step further and says, “Thank God, who did it all! His love never quits!”
This chapter asks me to believe that God’s love never quits, and it tells me to thank God even when it feels like his love has failed.
The Bible tells me to offer God thanks when my husband is diagnosed with cancer, when my brother’s best friend dies, and when my friends are faced with infertility.
Really? Am I meant to say then: “Thank you that your love never quits.” I think that is what the Psalmist is saying.
I think this Psalm is reminding me that when the storm rages, when my worlds’ are crumbling, when life sucks, I don’t have to be afraid because I can know that God loves me. (tweet this)
I can know in hard times that God is working ALL things out in love. (tweet this)
This Psalm recalls the story of the Israelites. It is a story of great pain, great suffering, and great love. God showed up time and time again in their time of need.
Their lives weren’t easy, but it is plain to see that God loved them.
Interestingly, this Psalm wasn’t written in the midst of their struggles but penned hundreds of years later with the benefit of hindsight.
I can’t always see God’s love in my life, especially when I’m going through hard things, but that doesn’t mean it has ever quit.
The more I read this Psalm the more I comprehend that God is whispering the same thing to my heart.
In my life there may be many hard times but my life also speaks of God’s great love. (tweet this)
In my time of need, I can bet on the fact that God will show up time and time again. My life won’t be perfect, but it will be plain to see that God’s love has never failed.
And when I look back, with the benefit of hindsight, I will see that God’s love NEVER QUIT.
Ponder: Are you in a situation where it feels like God’s love has quit on you? Imagine looking back on this situation in 100 years where would you be able to see God’s love in what you are going through?
Prayer: Thank you God that your love has never failed me. When my circumstances tell me your love has failed me, I know that you haven’t. I believe you remember me when I am down. I am grateful that you take care of me always. I rest in your promise that your love never quits. Amen.
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- This was orginally published on my site in November 2013 to read more devotionals like this go to ilovedevotionals.com
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