LOVING RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

David begins Psalm 63 by describing how much he thirsts for the presence of God, "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water." As we all know, David is not a perfect person, but he has a deep love for God. Even when he was still a boy tending the sheep of his family, he already had a loving relationship with God. In Acts 13:22, God said this about David, "But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do." David always had a sensitive heart before God. When God rebuked David when he committed adultery and murder, he immediately confessed his sin and returned to God. David's relationship with God is not transactional. A transactional relationship is based on performance and not on love. For example, we are only accepted by God if we follow his ways, but when we sin against Him, we are outside of our relationship with Him. God will only accept me based on how I obey Him.

Our relationship with God is not transactional but loving. God's love never diminishes, even when we fail or sin against Him. He is disappointed that we sin, but we will never be out of His loving relationship. The more we understand the unfailing love of God towards us, the more we hunger for his presence. He disciplines us as His children when we disobey because He loves us. David did not deserve a second chance because of what he had done, but God was the God of forgiveness and restoration. How many times have we blown it and felt helpless with our own struggle with sin, yet God never gives up on us? His love, mercy, and grace are always with us. When we experience God's love, we are drawn to worship Him and long for His presence.

Let us remember all the goodness that God has shown us. It is through our experience with Him that we realize how much He loves us and how much we long for his presence. 

Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through carefully, meditate on the questions while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) When was the last time I sat down and remembered how God showed His love toward me? How should I respond to His unfailing love? Do I long for God's presence? Why or Why not?

Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God. 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for making my relationship with you not transactional but based on your unfailing love. As I contemplate your goodness in my life throughout the years, I want to worship you because of your faithfulness in my life. You have forgiven me time and time again and restored my life so many times. No matter what lies ahead before me, I know that you will be there for me, and your love will remain forever. Thank you for your unfailing love. I pray all these things in the name of my Lord Jesus. Amen.