TO LOVE HIM. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
Psalm 145:18-20

OBSERVATION
When David uttered this words, he had gone through all kings of disappointments in life. He was considered not worthy of honor by his own father, taunted by giants, persecuted by his king, and betrayed by his own son, among many things. He suffered bitterly all kinds of injustices on top of the pain brought by his own disobedience. Yet, after going through all these situations, he understands the compassion and the goodness of God. He does not grow bitter, he grows better. He understood that above all things, what truly matters in life is to love God. And out of a sincere love and devotion to God, the greatest blessings flow in such a way that they overwhelm the disappointments, erasing all bitterness and contempt.

APPLICATION
How easy is to let our disappointments overwhelm our heart! How easy is to blame God for our pain and consider Him distant or negligent to rescue us from trouble! Disappointment poorly handled will lead us to either guilt or judgment. And both roads lead to shame and bitterness. For that reason, the hey to steward disappointments correctly is to have a fresh and sincere love of God. Every time that our disappointments produce either shame or botterness, we need to see the need to grow closer to God in sincere love. My God is always closer when we call Him in truth. When we are desperate and hurting He comes to aid, not to rub salt in an open wound. To love Him is to trust Him, even when we don't understand Him.

PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, today I'm reminded of the importance of handling disappointments correctly. I know they will keep coming and I must fight the tendency to either feel guilty or judgmental. Give me wisdom beyond my years not just to handle things correctly, but above all things, to love you beyond my reality. Let every disappointment become and opportunity to fall in love more and more with You. I may not be the brightest or the strongest. That's fine! All I want is to love you and to experience all your blessings flowing abundantly until they overwhelm my disappointments. Amen!