“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.” Ps. 63:3–5
Lord Jesus, since reverence means “to offer a fitting response to a greater,” then King David invites us to rethink our old notions of what it means to truly revere you. Your love “undid” David, then “re-did” him. Oh, to know you in such a heart-thrilling, soul-satisfying, life-liberating way. Praising lips, raised hands, satisfied soul… all in response to the way you love us.
By the work of the Spirit, take us on a fresh journey into the geography of your great love for us—it’s width, length, height, and depth (Eph. 3:17-19). Nothing is more compelling, transforming, and counterintuitive than your love. Your love isn’t “like” anything; it is the meaning, magnificence, and measure of our deepest craving for connection and affection. As Charles Wesley taught us to sing, your loves is “pure, unbounded, divine, and excels all other loves.” Jesus, make us blush with astonishment, for this is the way you love us.
During a week when human romance will be exalted (A heads-up: Valentine’s Day is Wednesday!), may your “better-than-life-love” shatter all comparisons, fuel our gratitude for the Gospel, and compel us to love others with great delight and kindness.
David danced with shame-free joy because the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1-23). How much more so should we live with shame-free joy before you? Your empty tomb is behind us. Your occupied throne is above us. Your righteousness is wrapped around us. Your Spirit’s presence is inside us. Your return is barreling towards us… Jesus, thank you for loving us as you do. So Very Amen.