Week 3 | Day 1 | A Faithful Love for All

Command:

If you love me, keep my commands. John 14:15 (NIV)

Read:

But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! Psalm 103:17-18 (NLT)

Reflect:

When the world was shut down, a song rose to meet the ears of the nations.

“May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
…May His presence go before you
And behind you, and beside you
All around you, and within you
He is with you, He is with you”

The song still lifts my soul to remind me of the one thing that will satisfy all my longings: to want his presence before me, behind me, beside me and all around me. 

As a new year is set before us, I wonder how different the next 12 months would be if I sought that presence and expected him to show up. To ask him where he’d have me go and what he’d have me do and then - obeying. The type of obedience that isn’t reluctant and begrudging, but understands that the benefits it will reap go far beyond a brief moment in time. My heart, aligned with his and my soul, aware of his presence in and around me. 

As Psalm 103 tells us, that faithful love isn’t just for me. It’s for my kids. It’s for the stranger eating alone at the restaurant. Or the person that cut me off on the freeway. 

In a world that begs us to cast off restraint and do what makes us happy, Jesus calls us to something deeper, more meaningful, and more lasting - a life lived in his presence. 

React:

What is a small, practical way I can seek God’s presence in my daily life? How can I lean into his commands and trust that his ways are better than mine?

Pray:

Lord let our eyes be opened to your presence. Help us seek you first this year - obeying the commands you set before us with confidence knowing that you love us.