Unfailing Love

Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him

Psalm 33:1 (NIV)

As I was reading this morning, Psalm 33 sounded familiar. Of course, I've read it many a time (at least once a year), but this was different. Oh, yeah I thought to myself. I wrote a song based on this years ago. So here it is (at least the lyrics, I don't have it posted online anywhere that I recall). As for how it sounds, I always thought it sounded like Triumph from the early 80s (although I could never sing like Rik Emmett.

Unfailing Love

Your Word is right, Your Word is true
You are faithful in all You do
You love righteousness and justice
The earth is full of Your unfailing love

Chorus:
I will sing to You Lord
It is fitting to give You praise
I will praise You with this instrument
I will sing of Your unfailing love

By Your Word, You made the heavens
The stars by the breath of Your mouth
For You spoke and it came to be
You commanded and it was

Repeat Chorus

Bridge:
You look down from Your heaven
And see all those who live on earth
Your eyes are on those who fear You
Whose hope is Your unfailing love

For You, oh Lord, are my hope
In You will my heart rejoice
May Your unfailing love rest on me
As I put my hope in You

Repeat Chorus

Much to learn

For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?"

Esther 8:6 (NIV)

Haman the Agagite was defeated, but the plan he set in place for the destruction of the Jews was still in place. Esther was distraught. She approached the king once again. He extended his sceptre to her once again. She pleaded for her people.

There are times that I think I should be more like Esther. She was bold in approaching the king over and over again. She had true compassion and love for her people and did not want to see evil befall them. Do I find myself being bold like Esther? Does my heart truly break over the suffering of those around me? I can only answer these questions by hesitating and mumbling "sometimes." There is a lot of Christ's character seen here in Esther. There is much for this forty-something man to learn from this young queen.

Do You Love Me?

¹⁵When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"

"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

¹⁶Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"

He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

John 21:15-17

Three times, Jesus asks Peter "do you love me?" All three times the question is phrased slightly different. Three times, Peter responds "yes Lord." Three times Jesus responds - each time slightly different in it's own right. Do you love me more than these? Do you love me? Do you have affection for me? With each question, the intensity of the love seems to lessen and Peter seems to become discouraged. When contrasted with Jesus' instructions back, there is no need to be discouraged. Do you have affection for me? Feed my sheep. Nourish your brothers. Care for the spiritual wellbeing of my people. Do you love me? Tend my sheep. Shepherd my people. Oversee my people. Take care of all of their needs. Do you love me more than these? Feed my lambs. Nourish the young believers. Nourish the children.

All of us who call ourselves Christians have a responsibility to take care of God's people regardless of how committed we are. As our love for Jesus grows, our commitment to serving Him and serving His people should deepen. Feed, tend, nourish. Not starve, hurt, cut off. Love. Feed. Love. Tend. Love. Feed. Do it today. Do it tomorrow. Do it every day.