Rich in Love

I will exalt you, my God the King;
    I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
    and extol your name for ever and ever.
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another;
    they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works—
    and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness
    and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.
The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.
All your works praise you, Lord;
    your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom
    and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
    and faithful in all he does.
The Lord upholds all who fall
    and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand
    and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways
    and faithful in all he does.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
    he hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
    but all the wicked he will destroy.
My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
    Let every creature praise his holy name
    for ever and ever.
— Psalm 145

One of the most defining traits of God is his hesed— a Hebrew word that means “loyal love.” This is more than just a feeling of love; it is kindness backed up by action. This psalm outlines the richness of God’s love, revealing how he cares for us.

Not only does God do awesome works in and around the world, but also, he is utterly good. What he does flows from his character. And that goodness extends to you, his child. His love informs the grace he lavishes upon you. When you sin and confess, he forgives. When you are wayward, he compassionately leads you back to him. Instead of blasting you with righteous anger when you stray, he demonstrates his love by being slow to anger. He is patient with you.

But perhaps the most endearing promise of love comes in verse 14: “The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” God doesn’t kick you when you’re down. No, he lifts you up. Perhaps you need that reminder today. Instead of trying to muster the energy to pick yourself up and dust yourself off when life knocks you down, remember that God in his hesed— his loyal love— will lift you back to your feet again.

Reflect & Pray

Recall a time when you were sick, and someone helped you heal. What did they do that helped you feel less alone? How did they encourage you?

Lord, I need your rich love today. Please lift me up from where I’ve stumbled and set my feet beneath me. Your love undergirds me, and I’m so grateful. Amen.

Devotional drawn from the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible.