[The term] unconditional love, translated into unconditional approval… Jesus, however, can be angered and grieved by stubborn hearts (Mark 3:5). He severely rebuked His own disciples (Mark 8:33). The mind and emotions of God are His mind and emotions. His responses toward those who were both for Him and against Him were rich and lively. They cannot be contained by the word unconditional, especially when the word suggests that there is never any disapproval of a person’s behavior. If there were no disapproval of our behavior, there would have been no cross.
Edward Welch

Bible Reading: JUL06: Psalm 119:89-176

JULY 6

Verse 89 says, “For ever O Lord, thy word is settled in

The answer to several questions about the Bible are given in
this Psalm. Some of those questions are as follows:
(1) What is the Bible?
It is water for cleansing (verse 9); it is wealth and treasure
(verses 14, 72, 122, 162); it is a companion and friend (verse 24);
it is a lamp (verses 105 and 130).
(2) What does the Bible do?
It blesses (verses 1 and 2); it gives life (verses 25, 37, 40, 50,
88, 93); it gives strength (verse 28); it gives liberty (verse 45);
it imparts wisdom (verse 66); it creates friends (verse 63); it
gives comfort (verses 50, 76, 82, 92); and it gives direction (verse
133).
(3) What must we do with the Bible?
We must love it (verses 97 and 159); we must prize it (verses 72 and
128); we must study it (verses 7, 12, 18, 26, 27); we must memorize
it (verse 11); we must meditate upon it (verses 97, 99, 148); we
must trust it (verse 42); we must obey it (verses 1-8); and we must
declare it (verses 13 and 26).

This Psalm has been very neglected because of its length,
but it exalts the Word of God as few other chapters in the Bible.