Devotional Thought of the Day:

¹  Thank GOD because he’s good, because his love never quits. ²  Tell the world, Israel, “His love never quits.” ³  And you, clan of Aaron, tell the world, “His love never quits.” ⁴  And you who fear GOD, join in, “His love never quits.“ ⁵  Pushed to the wall, I called to GOD; from the wide open spaces, he answered. ⁶  GOD’s now at my side and I’m not afraid; who would dare lay a hand on me? Psalm 118:1-6 (MSG)

286    There is nothing better in the world than to be in the grace of God.  (1)

If you’ve ever been to Disneyland, there is an experience that burns into your mind as you go on what seems to be a simple, sweet ride.  Just reading the title will bring back the melody that for the first 30 seconds seems nice, but after the three days inside the ride, you will never again be the same.  (Okay – Google said it is only a 12 minutes ride – but it does seem longer than that, like the length of Gilligan’s 3-hour tour!)

The same intense pain may have echoed through your mind, if you took your 2-10 year old child to see the movie “Frozen”, and proceeded to have every day for the next few years haunted by shrill remembrances of “Let it Go, Let it Go!

I sometimes wonder if the music teams will be tasked for providing the music in Hades

Now that I’ve traumatized you ( we call that preaching the law in all of it strength!)  it is time for another message to burn into your minds.  The message that the Psalmist repeats so often in scripture,

His love never quits

The Psalms have us repeat the message over and over, His love never quits! (Some translations prefer to translate it “His mercy endures forever!”

I prefer the “His love never quits” but also recognize that we have to understand the definition of love, in this case, the word “cHesed” in Hebrew.  It is more than just an infatuation, or a desire to be physically intimate with someone.  Matter of fact, it is much more intimate than can be seen just in physical actions.  It is a communion of souls, a dance of lives so intertwined that we cannot distinguish who is who anymore, for those who love each other not only fit that well together, they move that well together.

They are melded into each other’s life so completely that it is deeper than “it’s a small world” or “let it go” can burn into our minds.

It’s to receive God’s grace, the gift of His love and mercy, which we find our hearts and souls healed. That we find ourselves so caught up in His presence that we sing His praises even without consciously thinking to sing.   To know His mercy and love so well that His love and mercy exudes (I can’t think of a simpler way – except for sweat – and that doesn’t sound right)

Try whistling it’s a small world near someone over the age of 30… they will continue where you left off (warning – they will be upset at you) Or sneak up behind a family at Targe or Walmart and sign softly, “Let it go…”.  The impact of those songs will resonate with them, and though they hate it, it will dominate their mind for a while.

The same idea, without the hatred, is true of the gospel! It is true of this statement, “His Loves never quits”  You can use “His mercy endures forever” if you want.  The more we recognize this truth, the more it burns into our hearts and souls, the more it will affect our lives, our thoughts, our very being.   The more comfortable we will be, living in the presence of God, knowing our body is the temple, the place set apart for His body to dwell.

The more we will realize a level of joy and peace… that truly helps us to desire to dwell in His Kingdom.

That’s why we repeat these phrases, over and over, and over.

God’s love NEVER quits….

Lord have mercy upon us, and refine us in the fire of Your love that never quits!

AMEN!

Escriva, Josemaria (2010-11-02). The Way (Kindle Location 755). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.