DAY 5: WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

I think that most of us would agree that trust is probably the most significant building block in intimate relationships. The moment when someone starts doubting their lover’s motives, distance forms between them. It may also be our own insecurities that cause us to wonder why someone would love us while we are not worthy of their affections. David experiences a moment like this when he sings to his Lover.

During David’s intimate moment with God, the love that he feels from God is so great that he starts to wonder why God continues to pursue him despite his weaknesses. His human nature cannot even grasp the magnitude of God’s love for him, how can he ever return it? “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, You are still with me! (Psalm 139:17-18, NLT).

In the same way, we often lose out on intimacy with God when we struggle to understand the depth of his great love for us. It simply does not make sense that God wants to love us and spoil us with blessings while we can only offer weakness in return. We automatically fall back on our default understanding of love. We know from experience that love only lasts while the needs of both sides are being met. You see, the difference is that God does not need anything from us “‘Since he is the Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs - for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need’” (Acts 17:24-25, NLT).

Do you often feel that you should do something for God in return for his love? Do you think your understanding of God’s love may be keeping you from being intimate with God?

There is only one reason why God lavishes us with love, that is to invite us closer to Him “‘His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him - though he is not far from any of us’” (Acts 17:27, NLT).

Let us accept God’s great gift of salvation completely by trusting his motives with us. It is free! “When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners” (Romans 4:4-5, NLT).

Scripture readings:

Psalm 139:17-18

Acts 17:22-28

Romans 4:4-8