When Love Never Ends

Hey, friend. Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. The devotional writer for today is James Banks, and he's written for us, When Love Never Ends. Whenever my grandfather took me to the beach, Sandra reminisced, he always took off his watch and put it away. One day, I asked him why. He smiled and replied, because I want you to know how important my moments with you are to me. I just want to be with you and let time go by. I heard Sandra share that recollection at her grandfather's funeral.

It was one of her favorite memories of their life together. As I reflected on how valued it makes us feel when others take time for us, it brought to mind scripture's words on God's loving care. God always makes time for us. David prayed in Psalm 145, You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near. God's goodness and thoughtful attention sustain our lives each moment, providing us with air to breathe and food to eat. Because he is rich in love, the creator of all things mercifully crafts even the most intricate details of our existence. God's love is so deep and unending that in his kindness and mercy, he's even opened the way to eternal life and joy in his presence, as if to say, I love you so much.

I just want to be with you forever and let time go by. It's time for today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading, and it's taken from Psalm 14 verses 8 through 20. The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all.

He has compassion on all he has made. All your works praise you, Lord. Your faithful people extol you. They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all his promises and faithful in all he does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.

You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him. He hears their cry and saves them.

The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. Now let's pray. Father, so often our lives are filled with racing from one thing to the next that we don't have the time to truly be present with one another or with you. Would you help us to slow down and take this life in? Help us to truly see one another and see you in each other and celebrate your eternal presence with us. Thank you, Lord. It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen.