Author and speaker Rachael Adams joins us today, sharing an excerpt from her book entitled “Love Never Fails” from her latest book, Everyday Prayers for Love: Learning to Love God, Others, and Even Yourself (A 31-Day Devotional and Reflective Journal for Women). I had the privilege of being on the launch team for this book, which was released on Monday. Here is the link to Amazon to get your copy today!
This devotional really touched my heart as I read it. I hope that you are blessed by it as much as I was.
Praise the LORD! He is good. God’s love never fails. -Psalm 136:1 (CEV)
Love Never Fails
“I received my first Valentine’s gift in fifth grade. I nervously approached my ‘boyfriend’ and handed him the mixed tape I’d worked hard to compile with what I considered to be the perfect playlist. In return, he handed me a heart-shaped box of chocolates.
‘I was a little hungry, so I ate a few,’ he sheepishly admitted. To my dismay, I slowly opened the red-foiled container to discover only a remnant of chocolate left. I can laugh about it now, but my childhood heart felt empty at that moment. His lack of care for my feelings was evident in his actions. Needless to say, that relationship didn’t last long.
I imagine your heart has been broken more than a time or two in this life, as well. Human love has failed us and triggered so much pain. Likely, we have also caused heartache by our lack of loving actions. Every affection we hoped to receive on earth has come up short of perfection because we are fallen, sinful beings. Our unmet expectations leave us with unfulfilled hopes for what is possible. Due to our hurtful experiences, we have a tainted understanding of the emotion. Consequently, we have difficulty grasping the concept that God’s love is ‘everlasting’ (Jeremiah 31:3).
When we struggle to see the evidence of God’s adoration in our lives, it is helpful to read accounts of His loving presence in the lives of our biblical ancestors. Scripture is the story of the Lord’s love for mankind. Psalm 136 provides one of the most concise examples of His faithfulness to humanity. The Contemporary English Version of the chapter repeats ‘God’s love never fails‘ twenty-six times–in each verse–after recounting God’s provision for the people in the Old Testament. The author of this psalm is anonymous, but scholars have concluded it may have been a responsive reading, where the congregation would have said these words in unison after each sentence. While the repetition helped engrain this conviction in the hearts of these ancient congregations, it is a timeless truth we must also take to heart.
Something To Think About
Since God’s love never failed our forefathers, we can be confident that it won’t let us down either. In a world of constant change, God says, ‘I do not change‘ (Malachi 3:6). ‘He is the same yesterday, today, and forever‘ (Hebrews 13:8). In other words, God has been and will be the same for all eternity. He is ‘I AM’ (Exodus 3:14) – endless and constant. So if we believe God’s presence is continuous–meaning that He was, is, and will be–then we can also trust His affection is inexhaustible towards us.
It’s helpful to reflect on our lives and consider how God has displayed His infallible devotion to us. Try making a list of all the ways you’ve experienced evidence of His presence in your life. Then, after each statement, write, ‘God’s love never fails.‘ Let this sentence become a mantra to remind you, ‘Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is His faithfulness’ (Lamentations 3:22-23).
If you feel empty today and disappointed by the absence of love from the people in your life, I can empathize. Our hearts have an insatiable longing that always seems to remain unfulfilled. Only God is capable of filling the void. Allow God to saturate you with abundance (Ephesians 3:19) to the point you are overflowing into the life of others (1 Thessalonians 3:12). We never have to worry that He will run out of love because it flows from a well that will never dry.
Prayer
Father, heal my broken heart. I’ve been hurt by the people in my life who have let me down. Help me to forgive them. I also acknowledge that I have caused heartache. For that, I am sorry. Make my heart more like Yours. Remind me of the ways You have exhibited Your affection for me. I don’t want to go to anyone else looking for the love only You can give. Thank You for being steadfast and never failing me. In Jesus’s name, amen.” (Adams, 2024, p.83-85).
The author granted permission to use this excerpt.
Adams, R. (2024). Everyday Prayers for Love: Learning to Love God, Others, and Even Yourself (a 31-Day Devotional and Reflective Journal for Women). Whitaker House.
Meet Rachael
Author of A Little Goes a Long Way and Everyday Prayers for Love, Rachael Adams, hopes to help women realize God’s love and purpose for their lives. She and her husband, Bryan, live in Kentucky with their two children, Will and Kate. Her work has been featured on Good Morning America, Crosswalk, Proverbs 31, Today Parenting, and YouVersion. Connect with her by visiting rachaelkadams.com, searching @rachaeladamsauthor on Instagram and Facebook, and tuning in to The Love Offering podcast every Tuesday on your favorite listening platform.
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