Listening to Love

by Karen Kurth

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes 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. (Psalm 103:8-17, ESV)

I came to faith while reading this Psalm. Just me and God. God spoke as His words washed over me for more than a year – until I had ears to hear.

Whenever I am discouraged, doubting, confused or afraid, I return to reading Psalm 103 daily.

Steadfast love. Steadfast love. Steadfast love.

When I am struggling with a sin. He loves me steadfastly.

When I see the news of hatred and violence. He loves me steadfastly.

When I rejoice in a victory and come to Him as a child bringing a parent a fistful of flowers. He loves me steadfastly.

Steadfast: immovable, not subject to change. God is love. God is steadfast love.

I am packing to move apartments and I found a small book where I have written quotes for more than 25 years. I flipped through to see if my taste had changed. No. But I found something.

“I was driving home from church today feeling sad, belittling myself for my weight. Into this – God spoke. He impressed this on my heart. “Karen, I love you. If you lost # pounds and dedicated the rest of your life to serving dying AIDS patients in Africa, I would not love you more than I love you now. And if you never lost a pound nor changed one iota, I would not love you less than I love you right now.” I could barely drive for my sobs.”

How could I have forgotten that moment?

God gave me words for 2020. “Don’t try harder. Trust deeper.” So far, this has meant that I soak in His love daily. And I’m trying for hourly!

Warmly in Christ,

Karen Kurth

For Reflection:

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:16-19, NIV)

1. Prayerfully ask God to show you every moment in your walk of faith where He has made His love personally known to you. Keep your journal with you to record these moments as you go through your day.
2. Read Surrender to Love by David G. Benner and DO the end of the chapter reflections.