By Brooke Holt
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 118:1
“Nothing lasts forever.” Maybe you have heard this phrase used or have used it yourself. Beyond the frequently quoted phrase, it’s also the title of a song produced by Maroon 5 in 2007: “Nothing Lasts Forever”. The writer used these words throughout the song to justify why it was time to end the relationship. Love doesn’t last; relationships don’t last; therefore, it was time to make the break.
Do these rather depressing words have validity? Thankfully, the words of our Psalm today provide a different message. The steadfast love of the Lord does last forever. If you take some time to ponder this truth, you can find great comfort. The world in which we live is temporary: our lives here come to an end, relationships are severed, and people move, die, or simply forget us. We have no way to avoid the uncertainty of this life and world.
While we find continual uncertainty in the world and its inhabitants, we can find certainty in the Lord. He is the source of perfect and enduring love. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13, the love of God is patient and kind; it does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. The love of Jesus bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Jesus’ love never ends (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-8). God’s love is the one constant you can count on in this world and in the world to come.
Therefore, the psalmist tells you to give thanks to the Lord. Why? Because the Lord is good and steadfast, trustworthy and true. God is eternal, and his love for you will last throughout eternity.
Reflection:
Are you trusting in the steadfast love of the Lord, and is your life characterized by thanksgiving as one loved steadfastly and eternally? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Recommended Resource:
Could you use some hope right now? Join Peter’s first audience—“elect exiles” undergoing persecution—and experience the apostle’s powerful call to follow Jesus in the midst of life’s challenges, knowing your Living Hope is not a distant one, but a daily, glorious, life-giving reality! This unique six-week small group Bible study, A Living Hope: A Study of 1 Peter, helps you uncover the priceless promises written specifically to the struggling and the hurting, with pastoral gentleness and bold confidence for the future. This study of 1 Peter will help you become utterly convinced that Jesus is the only sure, true, incorruptible, and permanent hope for you.
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