Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
Psalm 63:3
Life is good. You’ve probably said that a few times – perhaps in response to a passing “How are you?” from a friend. The response has become almost a cliché, on par with:
- Can’t complain!
- Awesome!
- Fine!
- Great!
One organization has successfully transformed “life is good” into a thriving business. (Maybe you own a Life Is Good tee shirt.) Their mission is to spread the power of optimism and their tag line reads:
LIFE IS NOT PERFECT. LIFE IS NOT EASY. LIFE IS GOOD.
As a follower of Christ, I can’t argue with that statement. In fact, I agree with it. My life is good. I am grateful for the life I have and am well aware that I am blessed well beyond what I deserve. Even though life is never perfect and is often not easy, life is still good.
Life … is … good.
But God’s love is better. Because of God’s love we need not settle for good. We get better. We get eternal life. We get freedom in Christ. We get hope for eternity. And all that is made possible because of God’s love. Love that is better than a life that is good.
The nerdy part of me wants to make it work in an equation:
Life = Good
God’s Love > Life
If we pause to count our many blessings – to make a list of all the things that make this life good – that list might include:
- A devoted, godly husband
- Children that bring delight
- Grandchildren that bright delight multiplied!
- A safe home
- Plenty to eat
- Friends I can count on and confide in
- A pastor who preaches the Word
- Coffee
- My Bible
- The ability to read
- Air conditioning
- A gas fireplace
- A library card
- A Kitchen-Aid mixer
- Photo albums
- Chocolate
- Laughter
The list is endless. Some seem trivial and others more substantial, but all are blessings of a good life.
As good as this life may be, God’s love is better. God’s love trumps every other blessing. God’s love brings peace and joy that transcends this life and reaches to eternity. Because of God’s love, my destiny for eternity is secure. I have confident hope.
Life here is good. I love the blessings this life brings. Anticipating that life for eternity is even better brings wonder … amazement … peace … joy.
As I ponder and embrace the truth that God’s love is better than life, the only possible response is praise. I can’t help but glorify Him. As natural as breathing is the song on my lips to the God who loves me. The one whose love is better than life must be praised. He must be glorified. The deep sense of belonging – of abiding in Him – brings a delightful desire to glorify Him.
Surely, there is no better way to observe the Sabbath than to allow our lips to glorify our great God! Let’s declare with the Psalmist: My lips will glorify you!
Although our Spring Bible study is taking a break this week, Laura has a few thoughts to share about II Kings 8 in this short bonus teaching video:
