May 20

Morning

Show the wonders of Your loving devotion, You who save by Your right hand those who seek refuge from their foes. — Ps 17:7 BSB

When we give from our hearts along with our gifts, we give well, though we often fall short in this. Not so with our Lord. He always gives with His whole heart. He doesn’t send us leftovers but shares from His own table, seasoning our portion with the fragrance of His love. When He places His gifts in our hands, He does so with such warmth that the manner of His giving is as precious as the gift itself.

He enters our homes not as a distant or harsh guest but as one who sits beside us, never despising our poverty or weakness. Beloved, how He smiles upon us! What sweet words flow from His lips! What embraces of love He gives! Even if He gave us pennies, His love would make them worth gold. And when He gives generously, He does so in a way that makes His gifts shine even brighter.

His charity is stamped with a bleeding heart. He gives generously and never makes us feel like a burden. There’s not a hint of reluctance in Him. Instead, He delights in showing mercy, holding us close as He pours out His life for us. His love is like fragrant oil, sweetened by the very essence of His affection. Oh, the joy and communion we find in His boundless love! May we always know and experience the richness of His marvelous kindness.

Evening

I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them. — Hos 11:4 BSB

Our heavenly Father often draws us with His cords of love, but how slow we are to respond! We drag our feet when He gently calls us to trust Him more. Like Martha, we get weighed down with life’s busyness, when He’s inviting us to rest in His care. Our little faith leaves us spiritually malnourished because we don’t open our hearts wide, even though He promises to fill them.

Can’t we hear Him tonight saying, "Come, My child, and trust Me. The veil is torn—come boldly to the throne of grace. I’m worthy of your trust, so cast your cares on Me! Shake off your burdens and put on joy!" Yet even when called by His love, we hesitate.

At other times, He invites us into deeper fellowship with Him. We linger at the doorstep of God’s house when He’s calling us to the banquet hall to sit and dine with Him. There are secret places in His presence we’ve yet to discover, but we hold back. Shame on our cold hearts! We’re such poor lovers of our dear Lord, unworthy even to be His servants, much less His bride—yet He’s married us to Himself in an everlasting covenant of love.

If we refuse His gentle call, He may send afflictions to draw us nearer to Him. He longs to have us closer, and He will do whatever it takes. How foolish we are to resist His love, only to invite the rod of discipline. Even His correction is born out of His love, urging us to come nearer to Him. Let us not wait for affliction but run eagerly into His loving arms.