Abandon the Backup Plan

5 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
    your justice like the great deep.
    You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
7 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
    People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house;
    you give them drink from your river of delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light we see light.

Psalm 36:5-9

Contemplation:

What does it mean to be in relationship with One whose love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice are without limit?  We establish well worn paths in our lives that anticipate our shortcomings and those of others.  We adapt to our own imperfections.  That is what makes a relationship with God so remarkable.  He doesn't just love us but he loves us perfectly and without limit.  His righteousness and justice are good.  We can trust God.  We do not need to account for the possibility of alterior motives, broken promises, or flawed judgements.  

Walking with God is a new experience.  It is a new way of life.  When we are loved to the core, it changes the way we live our lives.  We can be poured out for others as God has poured Himself out for us.  That's because the protections we once felt we needed to keep our egos from bruising and our dignity intact no longer matter.  When we have God's approval, when we are loved without measure, we can risk doing the same for those around us.  We can overcome our normal fears and insecurities to rest deeply in a love and faithfulness that will not fail.  We can assume right motive and judgement.  With God, we must rethink everything we once thought we knew.

Question:

Do I live my life counting on God's goodness or building contingency plans?

Prayer:

Lord, the thing I need the most is to trust the infinite measure of your goodness.  It is a difficult journey.  And though my fears are irrational, they are real.  Most days I find that the familiar patterns of behavior in my life assume that you are broken like me.  My actions belie your love for me.  Distrust runs deep in my veins.  I need to learn a new way of life, one that counts on you absolutely.  I want to be free of my fears.  I want to risk loving as you have loved.  I want to find a deeper contentment in my relationship with you than in my circumstances.  Teach me to trust you, O God.