“Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever” (Psalm 136:26).
In his best selling book, “The 5 Love languages” the renowned counselor, Gary Chapman, shares the story of Ashley, a 13 year old girl who run away from her home and got entangled in one relationship after another, with none lasting. Explaining her circumstances, she shared how she was hurt by her parents’ divorce: “I felt my father left because he didn’t love me…when my mother remarried.. I thought she now had someone to love her, but I still had no one to love me. I wanted so much to be loved…!” Once Ashley felt no longer loved by her “new catch” she quickly moved on to “Mr Next!”
Chapman noted that Ashely’s love tank was empty and hence the search to have it filled from anywhere and regardless. Within every human being God has placed that tank seeking to be filled with a well of love. Babies cry for love. Children are desperate for love. Adults search for love. When adults fail to find love in a certain person those with means seek it in all sorts of alternative avenues. Aside from running from one relationship to another, many choose to buy acceptance. There is a reason why many people spend so much purchasing status things they don’t need! It’s all about acceptance and being “loved!”
Now, if we are longing for love and acceptance, as is only natural, then there is a place where we don’t have to cash in for it. God’s love. It is a comfort to know that God has shared with us His love at no cost. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).
Ashely moved from one relationship to another desperately searching for love. She was often disappointed. Yet there is the permanent love of God, which is there for us: “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” ( Psalm 86:15).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, thank you so much for the love that you have for me as your child, and I know I don’t have to buy it from anywhere, because you have accepted me for whom I am, and this I pray in Jesus’s name.
Related upcoming events
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
