Today is Valentine’s Day, so it feels appropriate to discuss the subject of love. Of course, much has been said (and can be said) on this topic, but for now I will focus on a part of God’s love that struck me as I read Psalm 106. Early in the Psalm, we read, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” So far, so good. Then in verse 7 we find these words of lament: “When our ancestors were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses.” Verse 21 echoes this failure as it tells us, “They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt, miracles in the land of Ham and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.” I remember thinking, as a younger man, that if God would just show Himself, then I could truly believe in Him and have an incredible faith that moves mountains. Well, as it turns out, God’s people did witness His miracles, including the plagues in Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea, and yet they forgot God and turned away from Him.

In spite of the many failures of God’s people, we read these amazing words about God’s love in Psalm 106: 43-45: “Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin. Yet he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented.” Why would God show such mercy and grace? Why would he help those who are so clearly undeserving? It’s because of “His great love.” I don’t deserve this kind of love and neither do you. But God is love and He acts accordingly toward His children.