How He Loves

…how good is a timely word!

—Proverbs 15:23 

“What? Just five days into my plan, and you fail me!” I talked to my tablet, as if that would help. I poked and prodded, opened and closed. But my daily Bible reading plan refused to appear.

I shook my head, Why did I ever sign up for this? I should have stuck with the old way.

Recently I told a friend that each year I choose a different version of the Bible to read and that I just purchased the English Standard Version. I boasted how I bought the study Bible half-price on New Year’s Day.

Casually she mentioned, “You can do that on your tablet. You can choose whatever version you want on the Bible app.”

“I know, but I like holding an actual Bible.”

But when another friend told me that he too used the Bible app, I thought, Perhaps it’s time for me to check it out.

When I did, I was sold.

But when the daily plan failed to load, I questioned my decision. Now what?

You could always open that brand new Bible, I told myself.

But I don’t even know which passages to read for today, I argued.

I’m a creature of habit. I function best in routine. If my morning routine is obstructed, the rest of my day is off-kilter.

Lord, I want to read Your Word this morning. I want to hear what You have to say to me today, I groaned.

We could always have a chat.

Haha, I guess we can, Lord. I certainly have more time for prayer this morning.

And so I prayed. Mentally I followed my prayer list, checking off each concern as I went—as is my usual routine. And I closed, Lord, You know how much I want a companion, my forever mate. Please send Him to me. And then I paused. Unless You don’t want that, unless You want me all to Yourself, because You’re jealous for me (Nahum 1:2).

Turn on the radio.

Huh?

I usually don’t turn on the radio in the morning. I turn it off…when it wakes me. And then I leave it alone. But I was obedient and flipped on the switch.

“And oh, how He loves us, oh…Oh, how He loves us, how He loves us all…He is jealous for me…”

“Haha!” I literally laughed out loud, “God, You are amazing! Those very words I just prayed!”

My feet were glued in place, as I continued to listen to the rest of the David Crowder song.

“…loves like a hurricane, I am a tree

Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy

When all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions

Eclipsed by glory and I realize just how beautiful You are

And how great Your affections are for me…” (written by John Mark McMillan)

The song ended, and then I heard a voice, “The right song at the right time.”

“Hahahahaha!”

Yes, it was.

Dear God, thank You for all the ways You speak to me...through the Bible, e-version or otherwise, songs, radio announcers, and chats. Through it all, I know I am loved. And I love You back.

How is God speaking to you today?

P.S. My Bible app worked fine the very next day and has worked every day since.