February 4: God’s Love is Better Than Life
Psalm 63:3 (ESV)
“Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.”
Read The Full Devotional Below.
THE RESCUE IN THE STORM
The night was relentless. Rain pounded against the windshield as Liam gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white from the tension. The hurricane had been forecasted, but no one expected it to hit so suddenly, trapping his small town in chaos. Roads were flooding, power lines were down, and cell service had become spotty at best.
Liam’s heart pounded. His wife and daughter were at home, alone, and in the direct path of the storm’s fury. He had stayed late at work, and now, the only road leading back to them was swallowed by raging water. Every alternate route was blocked. Panic set in.
Then, through the static of the radio, a message broke through: “Emergency responders are stationed at the community shelter. Seek higher ground immediately.”
Higher ground. Safety. But safety wasn’t enough. He needed to get to his family. His love for them drove him forward, reckless and determined. That’s when the thought hit him—Is this what God’s love looks like? A love that isn’t just safe but relentless. A love that doesn’t just protect but pursues.
Liam turned around, knowing he couldn’t reach his house in time, but he could pray. Right there, in the middle of the storm, he surrendered. God, You love them more than I do. Get them to safety.
Hours later, he found them at the shelter, shaken but unharmed. His wife’s words wrecked him: “A neighbor came just in time. He said he ‘felt led’ to check on us and got us out right before the worst of it hit.”
Liam wept. Not just because his family was safe, but because he realized something deeper—God’s love wasn’t just better than life. It was life itself.
And isn’t that exactly what Jesus did for us? He didn’t just offer safety—He gave Himself. He didn’t just promise us relief—He became our rescue. His love moves with an urgency we often fail to recognize until we are in the middle of the storm.
UNDERSTANDING THE VERSE
David wrote Psalm 63 while in the wilderness, running for his life. He had every reason to be desperate, to cling to survival at all costs. Yet, in the midst of exile, hunger, and uncertainty, he declares something radical: God’s love is better than life itself.
That’s a bold statement. Life is the most precious thing we have—or so we think. We do everything to preserve it, extend it, and protect it. But David isn’t speaking from a place of comfort; he’s speaking from desperation. He had lost his throne, his safety, and his security. And yet, he knew that if he had God’s love, he lacked nothing.
Why? Because God’s love isn’t just a feeling—it’s a force. It’s the unshakable, unwavering, pursuing love that rescues, protects, and satisfies in ways nothing else can. It’s the kind of love that sent Jesus to the cross, enduring suffering for the sake of those who didn’t deserve it.
God’s love is different from human love. We often love in response to something—kindness, familiarity, or shared experience. But God’s love moves first. It’s not reactive; it’s proactive. He loved us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). He reaches for us before we even realize we’re lost.
HOW THIS APPLIES TO US
GOD’S LOVE PURSUES US EVEN IN THE STORMS
Just like Liam’s neighbor was “led” to his home in the middle of the storm, God moves in ways we don’t always see. When we feel lost, He is already making a way. His love isn’t passive—it finds us. He doesn’t wait for us to cry out; He is already running toward us like the father of the prodigal son.HIS LOVE IS GREATER THAN OUR GREATEST FEAR
Liam was terrified of losing his family, but he had to reach a point of surrender. Sometimes, God allows us to feel helpless so that we remember that His love is our true security, not our ability to control the outcome. Fear fades in the presence of perfect love (1 John 4:18).KNOWING HIS LOVE CHANGES THE WAY WE LIVE
If we truly believe that God’s love is better than life, we will live differently. Our priorities shift. We don’t chase temporary comforts; we chase the presence of the One who is love. We start making decisions with eternity in mind, investing in relationships, and showing grace to those who least deserve it—just as Christ did for us.HIS LOVE BRINGS PEACE IN THE CHAOS
When everything is falling apart, God’s love remains steady. The world’s version of peace is dependent on circumstances, but God’s peace is rooted in His unchanging character. Even when life feels uncertain, His love holds us firm.
PRACTICAL STEPS TO REST IN GOD’S LOVE
Surrender Your Storms – Take a moment to name the things you’re holding onto in fear. Pray a simple prayer: God, You love me more than I can comprehend. I release this into Your hands.
Dwell in His Presence – Psalm 63 isn’t just about knowing God’s love—it’s about experiencing it. Spend intentional time with Him today. Worship, pray, and listen.
Love Relentlessly – God’s love moves toward people, not away from them. Ask yourself: Who can I love like Christ today?
Remind Yourself Daily – Meditate on Scriptures about God’s love. Write them down. Let them shape your heart and renew your mind.
When we truly grasp the depth of God’s love, it shifts everything. It’s not just a theological idea—it’s a reality that transforms our fears, our priorities, and our purpose. Today, live in that love. It’s better than anything this world can offer. It’s not just an idea to believe; it’s a truth to be experienced.
Let’s Close in a Prayer…
Father, Your love is better than life. Help me to trust You when the storms come, to remember that Your love pursues me even when I feel lost. Let me rest in the truth that nothing can separate me from Your love. And in that confidence, help me to love others with the same relentless grace You have given me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
An Invitation to go Deeper….
And friend, if today’s message stirred something in you, consider joining the FaithLabz 30-Day Prayer Challenge. Let’s dive deeper into God’s presence and let His mercy transform us from the inside out. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s walk it together.
