Welcome back, and I pray these devotionals have been a blessing on your journey. Today, our meditation leads us to Psalms 134-139. While I often focus on a single verse or Psalm, today’s reading unveils three powerful, interconnected themes that resonate with our lives: the enduring nature of God’s love, the raw anguish of praising Him amidst trials, and the profound comfort found in His complete understanding and unwavering control.
God’s Enduring Love
What might surpass the boundless, unwavering love God lavishes upon us daily? Nothing. We, in our fallen state, deserve condemnation, but Jesus did not step into the world to condemn it; our sins had already secured that verdict. (John 3:17, NIV) Instead, He came with a singular mission: to seek and save the lost. (Luke 19:10, NIV)
This divine rescue came at an unimaginable cost. To redeem us, He gave His life. Rarely do we witness someone sacrificing their life for a worthy individual, and we commend heroes who lay down their lives for their comrades. Yet, Romans 5:8 declares, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (NIV) Indeed, Jesus himself proclaimed, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13, NIV)
Why would a holy God undertake such a sacrifice? He created us for intimate fellowship with Him (1 John 1:3, NIV), a communion that all believers will one day experience (Revelation 21:3, NIV). We witnessed this profound love in Genesis 3:8, as He walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden, and we see its ultimate expression on the cross, and its glorious fulfillment at the close of Revelation. Therefore, we must echo the psalmist’s declaration: “His love endures forever!” (Psalm 136:1, NIV)
When Shadows Fall
We affirm God’s enduring love, and we believe it with all our hearts. Yet, life throws us off course. We face job loss, the pain of losing a loved one, declining health, or fractured family relationships. These raw realities flood my mind when I encounter Psalm 137.
This struggle is acute for those in ministry. There’s an unspoken pressure to exude joy at all times, a feeling that any outward sign of sadness might disappoint the Lord. I’ve felt it myself: warming up my hands before playing guitar in the praise band. All I crave are the mournful strains of blues riffs. Not to perform, but because, in some mysterious way, they offer solace when my soul aches. Some mornings, no matter how much I resist, I feel broken by life’s weight.
Others may urge you to smile, but it’s often a facade. You’re not in a good place, yet the expectation lingers to pretend otherwise. It echoes the poignant question from the psalmist in exile: “How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?” (Psalm 137:4, NIV)
Then, a profound truth breaks through. Just as the Edomites cried out, “Tear it down! Tear it down to its foundations!” (Psalm 137:7, NIV), the crowds once screamed, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” (Luke 23:21, NIV) If Jesus could show such love for us even in that darkness, I can discover the joy of loving others.
Comfort in His Control
This capacity to find joy, even in suffering, stems from the deep assurances found in Psalm 139. Jesus knows everything we are experiencing. We are never alone, not even in the deepest valley of darkness (Psalm 138:7, NIV). He is aware of all our movements (Psalm 139:2, NIV), and even our most hidden thoughts (Psalm 139:4, NIV). He promises us that no matter where we go, His presence is with us (Psalm 139:7-8, NIV).
Therefore, we grasp the comforting reality that the darkness cannot conceal us from Him (Psalm 139:11, NIV). While the Bible convicts us of our sins, it also lifts us when we are down. Regardless of your current feelings or circumstances, I urge you: come to the Lord today. Experience His enduring love, His perfect understanding, and His comforting control.
As we close our reflection for today, let the powerful truths from Psalms 134-139 anchor your heart.
