Loving-kindness

Weekly Inspiration for 21 - 27 January 2023

Our Valentine's Day decorations

This week, we took down our outside Christmas decorations and put up my Valentine’s sprays and such. I’ve always loved the approach of this holiday. It’s a bright spot on Winter’s landscape—literally and figuratively—and it brings with it feelings of joy and hope.

Soon, earth will be in transition. Already, we’re hearing the songs of more birds in the area. And the very idea of love brings a smile to my lips. In case you haven’t guessed, I’m a bit of a romantic at heart. But did you ever think of Jesus’ loving-kindness as a bright spot to your life, everyday?

Let’s look at a few places in Scripture, that show how this beautiful quality describes His care for us:

1. Jeremiah 31:3, tells us, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you (AMP)." In other words, God’s loving-kindness is an invitation of relationship.

2. Psalm 42:7-8, gives us amazing imagery to consider. “Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and billows have gone over me. The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me—a prayer to the God of my life (NKJV)." Notice, that God’s care covers us by day, by night, always.

3. Psalm 36:7, gives us a picture of the Lord’s protection—as refuge. “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings (AMP)."

4. Psalm 138:2, expresses praise for God’s goodness, His Word and His holy name! “I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth; for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all (WEB)."

5. Psalm 117:2, describes this quality as “great” (endless, abundant, full in its nature). “For His lovingkindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord (NASB 1995)!"

6. And Psalm 63:3, offers loving-kindness as a reason we have to praise God. “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You (NKJV)."

Here’s one more place that I found to be a sweet spot of meditation and worthy of prayer: Jeremiah 9:24 “'Let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the Lord (NASB1995)."

Dear Lord, let it be our desire to know You, to appreciate Your loving-kindness (mercy, goodness, tenderness, favor, faithful care of us). Help us to cherish Your divine nature of justice and righteousness. And let us take delight in our God, Who has such an amazing character and is filled with such infinite love toward us. We worship You, Jesus, for all of these. And we will boast (express gladly, share with others) the blessings that come from Your generous heart. Amen.

One of the sweetest compliments that I have ever received … was to be thanked for my loving-kindness. Has this ever been said of you? Have you ever made this observation about someone? And told them so? Have you ever thanked God for His loving-kindness—which knows no end for you?

One more thing worthy of observation? Jeremiah 9:24 says, “the Lord exercises loving-kindness.” Exercises—means that God is taking the action of being loving toward us. What a wonderful thought! He’s always watching over us. He’s always displaying His love for us. He’s always reaching out to meet us, so that we can be conduits of this quality as well.

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