LOVE Lent 33

Scripture

The Lord is merciful and gracious,
   slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always accuse,
   nor will he keep his anger for ever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
   nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
   so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
   so far he removes our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
   so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.
For he knows how we were made;
   he remembers that we are dust.

As for mortals, their days are like grass;
   they flourish like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
   and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
   on those who fear him,
   and his righteousness to children’s children,
to those who keep his covenant
   and remember to do his commandments.

Psalm 103.8-18

Reflection

The character of God, Scripture tells us, is loving. Whatever else we may say about God, the Scriptures return again and again to this theme, this understanding, this experience of the deep love of the Divine. Our understanding and the way we express our Theologies and Philosophies may change, our approach to doctrine, dogma, tradition may fluctuate - but what is changeless about God is love. 

In our first LOVELent post on 1 Corinithians 13 we read in verses 8-10 of that 'hymn to love':

"Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end." 

We are told that everything else in our universe will one day end, the Earth will be destroyed, the sun will burn out, the stars will disappear, that all will return to it's source - but, says our Scripture, Love never ends. The eternal love of God will continue. That love is our gift, our promise, and our hope. 

Prayer

Your love
flows like a stream
into the ocean of your Grace.

Your love
encircles this world,
displays your faithfulness.

Your love
is patient and kind,
brings wholeness and true peace.

Your love
is all we desire
to heal our brokenness.

As all things pass
and fade away
love remains
eternally

From Faith and Worship