By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Why Do You Love us, Lord?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

“What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”
Psalm 8:4 English Standard Version

Sometimes when I think of the goodness of God, I get very puzzled.  I cannot understand why God cared so much about this world that even after we sinned by disobeying Him and rebelled against Him, that He would show His grace and mercy toward us all.  And when I think of myself and my selfishness and pettiness and lack of faith and stubborn pride, I can’t put the pieces of God’s love for me together at all.

No matter how long I stare at this mystery of God’s grace, it just doesn’t quite come together in my mind.  Why should God make creatures who had the free will to choose to not obey Him or worship Him?  Why should God choose the family of Abraham to bless and through him be a blessing to all people?  Why should God choose to send His own Son to be born in a manger and suffer and die for my sins to be taken away?  Why does God continue to send His Holy Spirit to His people even when we so often do not love Him and others as we ought to love?

This is the mystery, the great puzzle of His grace, a free gift given to all who would receive.  As we begin this new year, it is good to ponder God’s love for us, His grace demonstrated on Calvary.  It is good to wonder with David, “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” God’s mercy is from everlasting to everlasting and His love for us is unfathomable.  What a wonderful puzzle!  What an amazing plan!  Though I may not understand God’s grace, I am so thankful for it!  “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”  Amen!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado