July 3 - Psalms 103-105: Ever and Always

We had a birthday party for the girls yesterday. There's nothing quite like an outside party on July 2nd in Texas! It seemed like a good idea when I originally planned it; I thought the ridiculous 100+ degree weather would be gone. Um, not so much. While the parents were sweating profusely, the kids had a blast in the pools and bounce house.

Before I had kids, I would have laughed in your face had you told me what I would do for my children. You see, I'm the girl who doesn't like to sweat. Seriously. I've shared before that I'm the selfish one who who prefers that the world revolve around me.

Even so, I was very excited about the party and thrilled that my girls were having so much fun with their cousins and friends. It made every bit of effort totally worth it, and I'd do it all over again just to see the joy on their faces. I love these precious girls more than I could ever adequately express.

After the party, I sat quietly in my air-conditioned bedroom and read the Psalms. It's funny how often God speaks to my circumstances, especially in the Psalms. Not surprisingly, 103:13 jumped right out at me:

As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him.

Even as a sinful parent who makes mistakes daily, I would do anything for my children. It wasn't until I had kids of my own that I actually felt that kind of sacrificial, all-encompassing love. It is overwhelming, unlike anything I've ever experienced. When Claire was born, it caught me so off-guard that I asked my Mom, "Do you feel that way about me??" She just nodded and smiled at me.

And God says He feels the same way about me. Incredible! He's the Perfect Father whose love is pure and holy and complete. I've done nothing to deserve it. And His love is infinitely more than the love I have for my kids because it is eternal. Verse 103:17 says:

God's love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear him.

This is the kind of Father we have! He's eternally present. He loves us ever and always. It's not based on our performance. This is one of the many reasons the psalmist says:

O my soul, bless God, don't forget a single blessing! (103:2)

"If...we forget God's blessings, we'll only be able to see our own efforts at making the best of a bad situation, only see our own haphazard attempts at capitalizing on the chances available to us. If we forget his blessings, we slip into what psychologists label "sensory deprivation," and we become deaf, dumb, and blind to the flourishing miracle of God at work, not only in the catastrophic circumstances of our lives, but also in the casual circumstances." Eugene Peterson, Conversations, pg. 881.

Lord, may I not forget any of your blessings, especially in my casual circumstances. May I not take anything you give for granted. Thank You for Your unfathomable love for me and how You've enabled me to love my children. Lord, thank You for all You've done for me. Thank You for the gift of Your Eternal Presence.

Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence. (105:4)