The Giving
By Paris Renae
Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Psalm 36:5
I'm in to reading then listening to old hymns these days. I didn't grow up with them - because I didn't grow up with Him. What I've learned is the soul's need is timeless.
Today I listened to a refrain and thought about all of us. About going into the Christmas season and all the giving. This is the 'giving season' - at least that's the intent. But the heart's intent is what counts. And the heart of God - no one can give like that.
So this old hymn's refrain goes like this: "His love has no limit; His grace has no measure; His power has no boundary known unto men. For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!" (He Giveth More Grace)
The writer probably couldn't say enough that God gives, then gives again, and doesn't stop. And still we ask. And still He hears. And the more we take of all He gives (be it material or in our spirits) our thirst continues. Because all here doesn't satisfy and because all we take of Him makes our longing for Him deeper still.
Yet what does the Giver get? Usually our leftovers - or maybe our desperate pleas. But He doesn't ask for gifts or rituals or anything - but one thing. One thing that He formed Himself - our heart.
Ann Voskamp says it best: "And the greatest gift we can give our great God is to let His love make us glad." Let's remember the reason for the next few days - a birth long ago. A birth so phenomenal, so outlandish it still rocks the heavens and earth with its magnitude. The birth of a Savior - One who gives and gives some more and makes forever ours.
"How great is God's love for all who worship him? Greater than the distance between heaven and earth!" Psalm 103:11 (CEV)
Father, Your greatest act of love revealed itself in a swollen womb, then a crude animal stall, then traversing a small place called the nation of Israel, and finally on a cross – arms spread wide. Not to receive nails, but to receive unto Himself anyone who would accept so great a love. Help us carry Jesus in our hearts and overflow Him to a hurting world as this Christmas approaches. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
For more encouragement, visit Paris at parisrenae.com
© 2019 by Paris Renae. All rights reserved.
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