The Upper Room Devotional for 14th February 2023

But I, [Lord] by your great love, can come into your house. – Psalm 5:7 (NIV)

I am a singer and songwriter and have written and performed many songs over the years. I wrote my most recent song for my wife, and it opens with the lyric, “When you told me that you loved me, you set my heart free.” I have always said that I was not fully myself until I met the woman who was to become my wife. Loving her set me free from the longing and loneliness I had felt for years.

Now I realize that this is also true about my relationship with God. I tend to be keenly aware of my failures and feeling that I am somehow not worthy of love. But God’s love is unconditional and complete. God knows all my failures, and God loves me truly and completely in spite of myself. This knowledge has set me free to love and to be loved in Christ. I am no longer focused on my failures but on the redeeming power of God’s love for us all.

My love for my wife has helped me understand God’s love for us. And love has given me the freedom to live fully in the grace of God. God’s desire for us is to live abundantly joyful lives.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy and loving God, free us to live as your beloved children, eager to do your will. Amen.

PRAYER FOCUS
Married couples