Do You Know the Steadfast Love of the Lord?

April 08, 2023

By Brooke Holt

“You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 118:28-29

This past Sunday, my husband and I attended a church nearby where he was asked to preach and then teach Sunday school. Throughout his teaching, Charlie repeatedly used the Hebrew word “hesed”. About halfway into the class, a man raised his arm and asked what that word “hesed” meant. He asked a fabulous question as the class hinged on an understanding of God’s "hesed" love for his people.

The psalmist today speaks into what God’s "hesed" love looks like: God is merciful, kind, good, and loving. Meanwhile, God’s people were not (and are not) always merciful, kind, good, and loving. They forget the commandments of the Lord; they fail to honor him; and they do not love him and extol him. Despite their unfaithfulness, God remained perfectly faithful to his covenants with Abraham, Moses, and David. Though they forsook him to run after the gods of other nations, the Lord held steadfastly to his promises. He disciplined his people, but he never did forsake them.

Jesus is the fulfillment of every Old Testament covenant and promise. You see that fulfillment as Jesus processes into the city gates of Jerusalem: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Should aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). Five hundred years later, Jesus rode through the city gates on the foal of a donkey.

The most important question of your life is whether you will honor Jesus as the Messiah. Is he truly Lord of your life? The psalmist proclaimed, “You are my God” (Psalm 118:28). This is the life-changing affirmation that God seeks. He has been faithful. The Lord has showered his “hesed” love upon you. That love is steadfast and secure; it will never end.

For the psalmist, worship is the only appropriate response to God. He gives thanks, extols him, and recalls God’s divine attributes and steadfast love. This holy week, may you also respond with a life-changing affirmation about God whether it is a renewal of your faith, a commitment to pursue his will, or the acceptance of Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Reflection:

Spend some time praying these words back to the Lord. Acknowledge that he is your God and worship him alone. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Recommended Resource:

The Resurrected Life: Making All Things New - The Bible promises that those who are in Christ are "new creatures." But how does that transformation take place? This unique Easter-season small group Bible study provides a space in which we can discover what it truly means to live a new life. As we listen, we'll learn how the resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything - for us. Begin the journey to new life today!