LOVE, Tried & Proved™

We consider Psalm 16:6, 7, 11

As part of my preparation for grad school, my wife gave me a quilt. Fine cotton quilt, perfectly stitched together. Small diamonds daintily sewed together to form bigger diamonds. Then there were stars with small lines of flowers that go through. The stars were bordered twice by straight flowery lines and larger diamonds of different flowers. When I kneel by my bed each day, I am impressed with the beauty of this perfect tapestry.

The book of Psalms is also a tapestry – of praise. David had experienced so much loving kindness from God that he bent his heart and mind towards showing his appreciation. Our text suggests that David had become fortunate. He shows us the source of his good fortune in the following verse. You guessed right – God.

David had Tried & Proved™ what it meant to belong to God. He knew that those who spend time in God’s presence daily leave laden with goodies. After all, they had been with the divine-good-gift Giver (Ps 103:1-5).

Worshipping God first thing in the morning is more beautiful than a quilted tapestry and incomparable to anything under the sun. Worshipping God is sweeter than the true love of a soul mate, more refreshing than that of a tremendous global goal achieved, tastier than your favourite food, a full course prepared by the world’s best chef, more stimulating than a successful PhD defence, and much more peaceful than winning a lottery that can build a bridge over the sea.

The Supreme Lord of the heavens and earth spoke things into existence without help from a prototype or guidebook. He is the One who runs the gargantuan planets and galaxies (our planet is like a speck of dust in comparison with some of these planets!). When He got ready to create you, He stepped out of infinity and eternity onto our earth. He stooped to mould you out of clay, then knelt down to kiss you with the breath of life! You are clearly not some mutating ape. That this Being loves you endlessly, hears you, and enjoys your company… this is mind-blowing.

This stunning love is more than worth returning. Some people can’t understand why a God so great should make Himself so vulnerable as to risk being rejected by His creation. He woos you in Jeremiah 31:3; assures you in Isaiah 49:16; Num 23:19; Matt 24:35; cares in Isaiah 54:10; 2Pet 2:9; gives in Matt 7:7; Heb 6:18 to list a few of His Tried & Proved™ loving promises. Taste this love yourself.

Heaven above is softer blue, earth around is sweeter green;

Something lives in every hue. Christless eyes have never seen

Birds with gladder songs o’erflow, flowers with deeper beauties shine

Since I know as now I know, I am His, and He is mine;

Since I know as now I know, I am His, and He is mine.

His forever, only His: Who the Lord and me shall part?

Ah, with what a rest of bliss, Christ can fill the loving heart.

Heaven and earth may fade and flee, Firstborn light in gloom decline;

But, while God and I shall be, I am His, and He is mine.But, while God and I shall be, I am His, and He is mine.[1]

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[1] https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/284