According to the book and movie Love Story, “love means never having to say you’re sorry.” A chart-topping pop song declares “love hurts.” If popular entertainment is any indication, we are obsessed with love. One researcher asserted that 60 percent of songs in the modern era were devoted to the subject of love and relationships. Today’s passage defines love from God’s perspective. John explains that being loved by God shapes our behavior. John says love can be a gauge to reveal if you know or do not know God. If your life is marked by hate and disgust for others, it indicates that you do not fully understand God’s love. God demonstrated His love to us through His Son Jesus, and by sending Him into the world as an “atoning sacrifice” to pay for our sins (v. 10). We were not deserving of that gift. This act of God’s love should produce results in our own lives. It should change the way we act toward others. God’s love “is made complete in us” (v. 12). This does not mean that God’s love is lacking but that others can more fully experience God’s love through us. When God’s love changes our hearts and behaviors, others get a glimpse of who He is and how He loves. Certainly, this should affect the way we live. Fear has no part in love (v. 18). The atoning sacrifice of Christ has removed fear from our lives. We no longer fear judgment. We can face the future without fear of failure. Finally, we are only able to love because we have been given the supreme example. “We love because he first loved us” (v. 19). As God’s children, we should reflect through our lives what He has modeled so clearly for us.

What lasts forever? You may be hard-pressed to think of anything that matches that description. But today we know of one thing that is never-ending: God’s love. In today’s passage, the same phrase is repeated 26 times: “His love endures forever.” Again and again, the chorus reinforces the central thought: God’s love will never fail us. This gift of God’s love will never end. This psalm or song is divided into distinct sections. You can recognize the pattern by looking for areas of repetition. For example, in verses 1 through 3, we see the character and person of God. The identity of God as not only “a god” but “God of gods” and “Lord of lords” enables us to trust His promises (vv. 2–3). We worship a God who will never go back on His word. The second section focuses on God as Creator (vv. 4–9). This is a God who made the heavens and the oceans. He placed the sun in the sky and lit the night sky with the moon and stars (vv. 7–9). The same God whose outstretched hand formed the universe promises to love us. “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him” (Ps. 103:11). The expansiveness of creation reminds us that God’s love for us endures forever. The third section focuses on the history of God’s relationship with His people (vv. 10–24). We see specific times when God delivered His people from danger, guided them through difficulties, and eliminated their enemies. He gave them the Promised Land as inheritance (v. 21). The final verses return to the gift of provision. God does not forget those whom He has given life. He provides for “every creature” and nourishes us. His love endures forever! To the Giver of the very best gifts, we should respond with thanks.

Talifolau Veikoso survived five heart attacks by age 39. In 2016, he became the recipient of a donor heart. “I got a second chance,” said Veikoso. “Without that donor heart, I wouldn’t be here. It’s the best gift anyone can have.” A single organ donor has the potential to save up to eight lives and transform as many as 100. The beautiful gift of organ donation saves the lives of thousands of people every year. In today’s passage, we are reminded of an even greater gift. God gave us the incredible gift of His love. He gave the life of His Son, Jesus Christ, so we could live. There is an urgency to this gift. Just like a donor heart arriving when a patient is about to die, God’s gift came “at just the right time” (v. 6). Consider the fact that rarely will anyone willingly give up their life for another person. Yet, while we were undeserving in our sin, rebellious “enemies” of God (v. 10), Christ gave His life for us (v. 8). This undeserved gift of God’s love rescues, saves, and transforms us. As the passage explains, we existed in a state of death since Adam. Through the fateful act of Adam and Eve, sin came to all people, and therefore we were all condemned. Sin is the common denominator of humanity, the common ailment of us all. No one is exempt (Rom. 3:10). The good news is that God provided an incredible gift of salvation through His Son. We didn’t have to become good enough to deserve God’s love. It was freely given to us. Every sinner can receive “God’s abundant provision” through Jesus Christ (v. 17). “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (v. 8).

When David was chosen by God to be Israel’s king, he was not the obvious pick. The prophet Samuel was sent to the family of Jesse. At first glance, Samuel thought God would want Jesse’s oldest son, Eliab. Samuel said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord” (1 Sam. 16:6). But God did not. “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (Sam. 16:6–7). In today’s passage, Paul says, “Think of what you were when you were called” (v. 26). Most of us were probably not notable according to the world’s standards. We were not born into wealthy families. We might not claim a huge social following or have achieved multiple degrees that mark our intelligence. But God does not choose His children because of their outward appearance or status: “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” (v. 27). What does this have to do with the gift of wisdom? Paul is reminding us that God’s wisdom and His way of thinking do not align with our own. What the world admires is not the same as what God holds valuable. In our connection to Christ, being made new, we have been given access to His divine wisdom. Through Christ, we are made right with God and set apart. We are holy! If we are to boast of anything in this world, we are not to boast of our wealth, degrees, or popularity. Our value is based solely on our connection to Jesus. In Christ, we are chosen and given wisdom, confidence, and a certain future.

King Solomon was the third king of Israel. Known for his incredible wealth and power, Solomon reigned for 40 years during one of the most prosperous times in Israel’s history. According to Scripture, “The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones” (2 Chron. 1:15). Solomon was known for his extravagant lifestyle, taking 700 wives and 300 concubines. He is credited for the building of a lavish palace and the temple to house the Ark of the Covenant. But perhaps most of all Solomon was renowned for his wisdom, which we learned yesterday was a gift (at his request) from God. According to rabbinic tradition, Solomon penned the dismal reflections in the book of Ecclesiastes in his old age. This may be especially shocking, considering the source: “So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me” (v. 17). Ecclesiastes repeats the theme that life “under the sun” is vanity. By acquiring everything commonly desired by humanity, the writer learned that bounty does not equal happiness. Both the rich and the poor meet a common end. No amount of wealth or possessions guarantees happiness. Even accomplishments, of which he had many, did not produce joy (v. 19). Notice how many times the word meaningless is used. Again and again, Ecclesiastes reaches the same conclusion. The one who is wise, seeing life through a godly lens, can view the end result of earthly labor. It will not produce eternal results. The key verse and the hope is found in verse 25. Without God, “who can eat or find enjoyment?” God is key to life’s purpose. It is not enough to work hard, to chase pleasure, or even to achieve greatness. Rather, a life spent pointed toward God will bring wisdom and happiness (v. 26).

In the story of Aladdin, a young man finds a mysterious and tarnished golden lamp. When he rubs it, a genie appears, granting him three wishes. In that moment, Aladdin’s world is changed because he has the ability to receive whatever his heart desires. Maybe you have wondered what you would request if you had the opportunity to receive anything your heart desired. In today’s passage, God gave King Solomon the opportunity to make such a request. His answer may surprise you: Solomon asked for wisdom. Solomon was now king, taking over from David his father. The people he would lead were “as numerous as the dust of the earth” (2 Chron. 1:9). Surely the prospect of this responsibility was daunting, so Solomon asked: “Give me wisdom and knowledge” (2 Chron. 2:10). Wisdom is referred to throughout Scripture, and it is not just another word for knowledge. Wisdom is marked by obedience to God. “Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city” (Eccl. 7:19). Knowledge refers to the accumulation of facts. As one person said, if you have knowledge but no wisdom, you are merely a walking encyclopedia. While knowledge might help you win at the game Trivial Pursuit, wisdom brings discernment and helps put knowledge into action. God granted Solomon’s request: “wisdom and knowledge will be given you” (2 Chron. 1:12). But God also gave the new king unprecedented wealth, possessions, and honor: 1,400 chariots, 12,000 horses. Gold and silver were “as common in Jerusalem as stones” (2 Chron. 1:15). The request for wisdom was met with great pleasure by God. It was an indication (at least in the beginning) that this king not only wanted to rule but that He wanted to follow God.

If you’ve ever seen the sun rise over the ocean, you know it is breathtaking. Over the darkness of the horizon, you see a tiny pinpoint of light. Then, steadily and surely, the light rises, and the point becomes a circle. The entire sky is transformed by this fireball of light. People often burst into spontaneous applause at the sight of a sunrise. What a magnificent reminder of God’s daily provision. While today we are focusing only on the first portion of Psalm 18, the entire psalm celebrates God’s faithfulness. The first verse sums up the Psalm: “I love you, Lord, my strength.” David had been delivered from his enemies and from Saul, whose intent was to take his life. Here David sings praise to God, who consistently comes to his rescue. David’s situation was so severe that he teetered on the brink of death. Note the poetic description he uses, as death entangles, overwhelms and confronts him (vv. 4–5). When we face significant trials, it can certainly feel like the problems take on a life or character of their own. But those problems pale in the face of the mighty God, our redeemer and rescuer. David believes God can and will rescue him. When believers pray, God hears and reacts (vv. 6–10). God does not sit passively by and ignore our call. He takes dramatic action against David’s enemies and rescues the one He loves: “he rescued me because he delighted in me” (v. 19).

Although the chances of winning the lottery are more remote than getting struck by lightning, millions of Americans regularly purchase tickets for the chance to claim a windfall of cash. Even more surprising is the number of winners who have discovered that being suddenly wealthy does not guarantee happiness. Today’s passage reminds us that concentrating our efforts on being rich in this lifetime is misguided for the believer. In fact, we are to “flee” from that way of thinking. We are instructed instead to pursue “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (v. 11). Paul is not necessarily saying that being wealthy is wrong; rather, he suggests that the problem lies in the “love of money” (v. 10).  We are not to fixate our efforts on wealth. The reason Paul rejects a love of money for the believer is that it shifts our focus away from who we are in Christ. Everything we have belongs to God. When we are connected to God, we realize He alone is our provider. God not only ensures that we have our basic necessities of food and clothing but so “richly” provides for us that we also experience “enjoyment” (v. 17). We find joy in putting the things of God above the things of this world! Recognizing this abundance from God motivates us to be generous. Rather than setting our sights on acquiring an enormous bank balance, we share whatever we have been given with others. Our treasure is really not ours at all! We are citizens not on this earth but of heaven (v. 19). Our pursuit of godliness should be combined with a deep sense of gratitude and contentment for what God has given. By recognizing our eternal purpose, we will have a healthy attitude toward our earthly possessions.

Stacey Utecht, a Moody alumna, gave up her job to follow God’s leading. This meant financial risk, but God provided. “Yesterday, my pastor shared how God provides for His people. Today, I had friends in town visiting. Before we parted, they put an envelope in my pocket saying they wanted to bless me. When they pulled away, I saw it was $1,000. God saw my need and was extravagant in meeting it. I share this to encourage you if you are also in need. God is able!” Today’s passage addresses worries we face on a daily basis about our finances and other needs. The word therefore means you should look at what came before. Earlier in Matthew 6, Jesus teaches His disciples the Lord’s Prayer, reminds them to store up treasure in heaven (v. 19), and calls them to serve God rather than money (v. 24). Why does Jesus turn our attention from prayer to worry? The earlier verses remind us to keep an eternal mindset. While we live and work in this world, we are citizens of heaven. While we share the same concerns as our neighbors, we can be certain of the Lord’s care and a guaranteed eternal future. “Therefore” we should not worry (v. 25). God, our faithful provider, values us and will provide for us. Just like the Israelites, we tend to forget this truth. We believe we are in control and responsible for our own destiny. This passage reminds us that God will provide down to the smallest detail. Verse 28 asks: “Why do you worry about clothes?” God is concerned about what you eat, drink, and wear! God as our Father knows what we need and will provide. Rather than let our heart worry about temporary needs, we are to shift our focus to “his kingdom and his righteousness” (v. 33). This alone is an antidote to worry.

If you or someone you love served in the military, you may be familiar with the acronym MRE, “Meal, Ready to Eat.” In 1963, the Department of Defense began developing a food ration that would utilize modern food preparation technology to create a lighter version of canned goods. The dehydrated meals are stored in pouches and accompanied by a flameless heater that allows meals to be prepared and served no matter the conditions. For the Israelites, finding daily rations was becoming increasingly difficult. Having fled Egypt, their supplies were running low. Time spent on the journey meant that what was left was probably inedible. How could they continue without nourishment? God took notice when the Israelites grumbled. There is no doubt that God heard His people, for He appeared to them in a cloud. He informed Moses that He would supply their needs with quail in the evening and manna in the morning (v. 12). The manna, a sweet, honey-like grain, would carpet the desert floor each morning and could then be ground into fresh bread. What an amazing gift from God! God also gave a few restrictions. First, they were not to hoard the supplies, keeping extra for themselves. Rather they were to believe that God would be faithful and that He would daily supply their needs—which He did for 40 years (v. 35). If they kept extra, it would become infested with maggots and rot (v. 20). Of course some did not listen, did not trust God, and hid supplies. The second rule was that they were not to gather manna on the Sabbath. We must understand God’s faithfulness. He can and does meet the needs of His people. He is reliable and true.