Quiet Love

Daily Reading:  1 Peter 4-5

Scripture Focus: Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4.8)

Devotional Thought: Keep on loving...  That message is desperately needed today.

I’ve never been on the inside of a jail.  But, a friend once described what the "pods" were like, particularly how crowded they are.  He said that no one even bothers to watch the TV in the common room because you can’t hear them.  In some of the larger pods, he told me you can’t even think because of the noise.  I realized that his situation was multiplied across eighty-eight counties in Ohio and thousands of jails around the nation.  I thought to myself, if people really loved each other, the jails and prisons would be very quiet - and lonely - places!

Speaking of quiet, wouldn't MSNBC and FOX NEWS be different if the politicians heeded Peter's advice to love one another?  Do you grow weary of politicians whose only message is hate against those in the other party?

Across my years of pastoral ministry, I counseled many couples who were experiencing marital problems.  I was often amused and always discouraged by the little things that cause grievances.  On the other hand, I am appalled and disgusted at the big things that cause unnecessary pain and anguish.  If couples would just show love, patience, and respect to one another, many of them could avoid the counseling office.

When I read how "love covers a multitude of sins," I think about how quiet love is.  It doesn't have to proclaim grievances or make loud arguments or push its way to the front.  Wouldn't this world be a quieter place, a better place, if we would just love one another deeply?

Prayer: O Lord, you have loved me with a deep love.  Help me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love my neighbor as myself.  Use me to make this a quieter, calmer world.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 57.6-11

6 They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah

7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!

8 Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!

9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.

10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!