Psalm 117

Praise the Lord, all nations;
Laud Him, all peoples!

For His lovingkindness prevails over us,
And the faithfulness of the Lord is everlasting.

Praise the Lord!


Romans 2:4

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?


I Timothy 1:5

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure hear and a good conscience and a sincere faith.


Why is it that Father has to pursue us with His love? “Stop loving me! I don’t want You to give me something my soul longs for with all its being!” It would be like saying, “Thanks anyway, but I don’t really want that billion dollars your trying to give me.” I’m reminded of Aunt Ruth trying to give me another piece of pie after I’m stuffed and can’t move, pleading with me to have one more bite. In her mind she was giving me her love. Why do we run from such a loving Father? Still we run and He pursues.

That’s what David was saying. How is it that love has to prevail against/over anyone? Isn’t that what everyone really wants? Oh, there I go again hiding in obscurity. Isn’t that what I really want? And, if so, why is it that I fight against the love of God. But alas, it is that great demon fear within me. (We all have our demons to slay, you know.) In a previous post, I commented on 1 John 4:18, “perfect love casts out fear.” A closer look assists in our understanding of Ps. 117. The word “cast”:

bal'-lo – A primary verb; to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense).

I believe Father’s love toward me is active, violent, intense. He overwhelms me with his love. Rom. 2:4: “the kindness of God leads you to repentance.”

Father is a fearless lover and He models that for us. I need to let Him love me.