Heavens Above

For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:11-12 (NKJV)

As we gaze at the night sky we are seeing the twinkling lights of some stars that no longer exist. It takes time, even when traveling at the speed of light, for the light of those doomed stars to travel across the expanse of the universe and to be seen by human eyes. It helps put into perspective the incredible enormity of the universe which seems to be endless, and according to many scientists is still in the process of expanding. For all practical, knowable purposes, this means that the heavens that are above the earth have no end. They extend forever.

This expansion with no end is what the Psalmist David compared to the lovingkindness of God. (I prefer the translations that use "lovingkindness" as opposed to "mercy.") There is no "knowable" end to the lovingkindness of God towards those who fear Him--who love Him--who belong to Him! His love literally fills the universe and spills beyond time and space. This is the essence of Agape. It is love without end...love that never fails...love that never reaches the end of its capacity.

Years ago I went to a seminar at Idaho State University where Josh McDowell contrasted God's Agape love to the general conditional love that is so common to mankind. He called the conditional love of man, "Love if..." and "Love because..." "Love if" causes us to love people "if" they live up to our expectations. "Love because" causes us to love only when certain conditions (such as beauty or riches) exist. Both of these human standards of love fall short of God's love that is steeped in grace, overflows with mercy, is steadfast in its patience, and ultimately does not fail! There is no question that God's love is superior--it also happens to be the kind of love that God wants to be evident in the lives of Believers!

Prayer: "Dear Father, thank You for Your love. I know that I must test the ends of Your patience and yet I remain a beloved Son. I know that Your love is great--I have experienced Your lovingkindness. Even in the times when I have experienced Your chastening it has been motivated by Your love. Lord, I pray that You would fill my life with Your Agape and that I would be a more loving person. May I be a better reflection of You and be a better example of Agape in this world. Amen"