People love to live longer and seek a better quality of life. A healthy and comfortable life is not enough. King David sings: “Your lovingkindness is better than life.” (Psalms 63:3) For David, life is meaningless and senseless without God’s great love and care.
Natural and supernatural: David regarded life as natural, but God’s great love as supernatural. Yes, human physical life is temporary and will soon come to an end. The love of God is eternal; those who humbly and earnestly receive His love in faith will have eternal life in His presence of love.
Enjoy: Generally, people would like to enjoy life, but David enjoyed God’s great love that encamped His life. In the world, to be alive is a great gift and opportunity. Yet, to truly enjoy life, God’s love is essential. His love provides meaning and purpose in life.
Value: For several people, life is valuable. But for David, God’s love was more valuable than his life. Human life without God’s love is misery, pain, suffering, and hopelessness. God’s love transforms the perspective, values, and priorities of life.
Gift of love: It is noble to give life to others, like medical professionals, helping the poor, orphans, and widows. Such help could change the course of their lives in the world. However, David wanted to give great love to others. It is not enough to give temporal and material needs to others. They need God’s love; hence, preaching of the gospel becomes essential in this broken and fallen world.
Despair: People despair when they are sick or not able to breathe. They fear that their life will be shortened, hence running to doctors for help. Strangely, they do not despair for eternal life. However, David despaired when he could not sense or experience God’s great love. Good health is not enough; awareness of God’s loving presence is needed for every believer.
Shalom: Without the love of the Lord, people live with broken hearts and are emotionally hurt. In Him, there is peace that is incomprehensible to human minds.
Do I realize and cherish God’s great, steadfast love?