Fifth Friday of Lent: The Vast Array of God’s Love

“The breakers of death surged round about me,

the destroying floods overwhelmed me;

The cords of the nether world enmeshed me,

the snares of death overtook me.

In my distress I called upon the Lord,

I cried to my God for help.

From his temple he heard my voice;

my cry to him reached his ears.

From on high he reached down and seized me;

he drew me forth from the mighty waters.

He brought me out to a place of freedom;

he saved me because he loved me.” Ps. 18:5-7,17,20

I am continually amazed by the many facets of God’s love for us. He weeps with us in our moments of sorrow. He strengthens us during challenging times. He sweetly whispers during quiet, prayerful moments. He counsels us when we weigh major life choices. He lovingly corrects us when we make poor decisions. He constantly gifts us with each new day. Perhaps it should not be all that surprising since God is love, and God is infinite. So it would stand to reason that His expression of love for us is also infinite.

The Psalm in today’s reading focuses on one particular way God loves. With dramatic imagery and poetic language, it beautifully describes the times in our life when everything seems to be on the brink of unraveling or when we are surrounded by either personal, relational, or professional challenges that are seemingly insurmountable. Although it may be difficult to accept, there is nothing we can do but surrender. It is then on the precipice of total despair that He deigns to intervene and rescues us “because he loved us.”

I remember reading the story of the Footprints in the Sand when I was young and being deeply affected by it. I could not have been more than 10 years old and certainly had not experienced any great tragedy, except maybe an unrequited crush. What moved me was a personal God who walks, shares and laughs with me as a companion and then would carry me when I grow weary from the burdens of (a 5^th grader’s) life…a God who personally loves me through the various circumstances in my life.

Lord, open me to become sensitive to the vast array of Your love.

Reflected by Michael Jamnongjit