"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10
Recently a group of pastors were asked, if you had one last sermon to preach, what message would you bring to your people? I did not have to think too long or hard on this matter, for I have often thought, if I only had one message to bring, it would be on the faithful love of God; a love that established a covenant relationship with His people, that was ultimately displayed in the cross and the empty tomb, and is for the believer, a day-by-day treasure in which we can find peace and joy in a sometimes scary, unstable world.
God speaks through the prophet Isaiah, of His unfailing love (Isaiah 54:10) and the psalmist writes about His lovingkindness (Psalm 103:4). Both terms translate the Hebrew word 'hesed', which speaks of the loyal, consistent, ever-faithful, relentless, extravagant, unrestrained, unchanging love of the Father. The word is sometimes translated 'steadfast love', 'mercy', 'kindness' or 'goodness'. It carries the idea of a tenderness toward others. It is a practical love that is always directed outward, that desires to bless others. It is the love of God in action, as He cares for His people.
'Hesed' is one of the most fundamental attributes of God; His faithful love is revealed from cover to cover in the Holy Scriptures, it is consistent with His covenantal nature. The psalmist says, Your lovingkindness is before my eyes. (Psalm 26:3 - NKJV) Everywhere we look, we see the manifestation of God's goodness and grace, even in a fallen world. In part what makes this such a rich truth, is that, as theologian John Oswalt observes, 'hesed' is a completely undeserved kindness and generosity.
David would write, Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me (Psalm 40:11 - NJKV). As frail, fragile human beings we sometimes fail to understand just how much we need to experience God's faithful love; may we never take it for granted, but rather confess with David:
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the childrn of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light. Oh continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You. (Psalm 36-7;10 - NKJV)
God's loyal love is a bedrock truth of our faith that strengthens us and empowers us as we live out our faith in a world that desperately needs to see love in action. Because we have received an abudance of 'hesed' from God, we can be conduits of His love, we can be lavish in our expression of 'hesed' love to others.
Friends, no matter what tomorrow may bring, you can trust in, you can rely on God's 'hesed'!
Therefore, like the psalmist, we declare, Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. (Psalm 63:3)
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:22)
God speaks through the prophet Isaiah, of His unfailing love (Isaiah 54:10) and the psalmist writes about His lovingkindness (Psalm 103:4). Both terms translate the Hebrew word 'hesed', which speaks of the loyal, consistent, ever-faithful, relentless, extravagant, unrestrained, unchanging love of the Father. The word is sometimes translated 'steadfast love', 'mercy', 'kindness' or 'goodness'. It carries the idea of a tenderness toward others. It is a practical love that is always directed outward, that desires to bless others. It is the love of God in action, as He cares for His people.
'Hesed' is one of the most fundamental attributes of God; His faithful love is revealed from cover to cover in the Holy Scriptures, it is consistent with His covenantal nature. The psalmist says, Your lovingkindness is before my eyes. (Psalm 26:3 - NKJV) Everywhere we look, we see the manifestation of God's goodness and grace, even in a fallen world. In part what makes this such a rich truth, is that, as theologian John Oswalt observes, 'hesed' is a completely undeserved kindness and generosity.
David would write, Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me (Psalm 40:11 - NJKV). As frail, fragile human beings we sometimes fail to understand just how much we need to experience God's faithful love; may we never take it for granted, but rather confess with David:
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the childrn of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light. Oh continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You. (Psalm 36-7;10 - NKJV)
God's loyal love is a bedrock truth of our faith that strengthens us and empowers us as we live out our faith in a world that desperately needs to see love in action. Because we have received an abudance of 'hesed' from God, we can be conduits of His love, we can be lavish in our expression of 'hesed' love to others.
Friends, no matter what tomorrow may bring, you can trust in, you can rely on God's 'hesed'!
Therefore, like the psalmist, we declare, Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. (Psalm 63:3)
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:22)
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