LOVE'S REWARDS

God offers so many promises, yet we must remember they’re for those who love Him in return. When we think of all He’s done for us and what He gives us moment by moment, how can we not love Him?

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES             by Sally Bair

God’s love

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him … set him on high because he has known My name … He shall call upon Me and I will answer him … be with him in trouble … deliver him … honor him … With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” (Psalm 91:14-16)

These final verses of Psalm 91 contain seven of God’s prophetic promises to those of us who love Him. God takes great stock in our love relationship with Him. To love God is to know Him intimately. It cannot come through education, heritage, maturity or religious good works and rituals. Loving God requires time spent with Him daily, even hourly, in our “secret place.” (See Psalm 91:1)

His first promise, that of deliverance, takes in all the circumstances listed in previous verses of Psalm 91. If you haven’t read the entire Psalm, I urge you to do so. His deliverance includes that from lion, young lion, cobra and serpent problems. It includes night terror, arrows, pestilences and destruction. It covers every aspect of life that we confront when we are weak in spirit.

God’s second promise, setting us on high, means He pulls us up to where He is. What a promise! When we’re seated with Him, we can look down at any problem and know He will keep us from falling when we avail ourselves of the power of His name.

And when we love God and call on His name, He will answer us. Whether we pray alone or in a group, as did whole nations during past wars, God promises to answer. Countless stories told by servicemen and women about God’s miraculous deliverance prove He does indeed answer prayer. The same applies to His promise of rescue.

God wants to honor us, too. We all know the value of giving credit where credit is due. And we have the promise that God loves us so much He honors us. He recognizes each one of us when we are serious about His Word and about our faith and love for Him.

God’s sixth promise is for a satisfying, long life. When we choose to fill our internal, empty spaces with Jesus, we will be satisfied. In the same vein, God promises His salvation, which includes more than salvation from sin. It also promises health, healing, rescue and deliverance, safety and protection and provision.

Lord, thank You for Your promises of Psalm 91. Increase our love for You and our obedience to and faith in Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.