Rich In Love

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... The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down... The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth... The Lord watches over all who love him... My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.  Psalm 145: 8-9, 13b-14, 17-18, 20-21

What struck me as I read Psalm 145 was how many times God's love toward all of His creation was emphasized. I noticed other godly attributes included in this psalm such as being gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, good to all, faithful to His promises, righteous, near as well as upholding, lifting up and watching over us.

How many of these godly attributes do we apply to our own lives as we serve others? And what is our motivation for serving others?

Some years ago, Dr. Karl Menninger, noted doctor and psychologist, was seeking the cause of many of his patients' ills. One day he called in his clinical staff and proceeded to unfold a plan for developing, in his clinic, an atmosphere of creative love. All patients were to be given large quantities of love; no unloving attitudes were to be displayed in the presence of the patients, and all nurses and doctors were to go about their work in and out of the various rooms with a loving attitude. At the end of six months, the time spent by patients in the institution was cut in half. (Source Unknown)

This story about being rich in love toward others promotes what the psalmist is saying about God's love toward all He has made. Be encouraged that serving others through God's love can be even more powerful!

Question to think about: What are some ways that you can display God's love to those around you?