Abounding in Love

David recounts many positive qualities of God in this psalm. He is forgiving, good, and abounding in love. He listens. He answers. He is unique. He is worthy of our worship. He is powerful.

David’s plea to this abounding-in-love God? David longs for “an undivided heart,” one that turns only toward God. A divided heart has divided loyalties and interests. It does not truly absorb the love God freely gives—instead, a divided heart looks for love in other places.

Because you have received God’s focused love, your response can be similar to David’s. First, you can rest in knowing that God deeply, truly loves you. Then, you can ask him to give you an undivided heart. After that, like David, you can choose to praise God with everything within you. That’s a normative response to being loved well.

We see this kind of abounding-in-love character when a devoted parent tosses a giggling child into the air, then catches her every time. The child responds to the parent with affection and joy. You can respond that way to God too, particularly since God’s love for you has no measure. It’s as high as the heavens and wider than the earth.

Lord, thank you that you abound in love for me. It’s hard for me to grasp. But as I do, I pray you would grant me an undivided heart that worships only you—with joy and abandon. Amen.

Recall a time when you knew down to your toes that you were loved. What happened? Why did that memory reveal love to you? How much more does God love you?