The Steadfast Love of God

As we read through the Psalms, we discover that they continually proclaim wonderful truths about the steadfast love of God. Whether described as mercy, lovingkindness, kindness, or goodness, the core attribute of God’s love is its steadfastness. This steadfast love is consistent with His character and consistent in its nature. Among the lessons that we learn as we read through the Psalms, we learn the following about the steadfast love of God:

We Can Delight In It

Psalm 63:3 – “Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.”

As believers who have experienced and continue to live in the goodness of God's steadfast love, we have many reasons to praise Him. When we consider all that He has done for us, it should cause us to rejoice. John writes in his epistle, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God.” The fact that we, who were far off and enemies of God, have been made children of God and co-heirs with Christ should cause us to delight in His love and should draw out a response of praise.

We Can Depend On It

Psalm 109:26 – "Help, O LORD my God! Save me according to your steadfast love."

The unchanging nature of God’s love means it remains constant through every circumstance. During hard times and difficulties, we can take refuge in this steadfast love. We can face adversity in the knowledge that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Conversely, in times of blessing, we can still rely on His steadfast love. Psalm 136 recalls the history of the people of Israel, recounting the marvellous deeds God performed for His people. After recalling each incident, the psalmist declares, “His steadfast love endures forever.”. The love of God is steadfast in good times and bad.

We Can See It Demonstrated

‭Psalm 51:1 - Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

God’s steadfast love is not merely a theological concept; it is a reality which we have experienced. It is because of the steadfast love of God that we can have our sins forgiven and our transgressions blotted out. This was only made possible through the greatest demonstration of God's love - “that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Our love - steadfast?

Reflecting on these truths should also prompt us to examine our love for the Lord. Is our love for Him steadfast? Standing on the seashore, Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” Despite the fact Peter had denied Him, he responded each time, “You know that I love you.” In His grace, Jesus restored Peter, and in doing so demonstrated His steadfast love.

If we were asked the same question, what would our honest answer be? Do we truly love Him? It’s easy to say, “Of course I love Him!” yet our love often falters and wavers. We may not publicly deny Him, but our hearts can grow distant and our love cool.

In His letter to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2, the Lord Jesus commends their works and faithfulness. There was no issue with morality, and they had not allowed false doctrine to creep in. However, he warns them about a serious fault from which they had to repent: they had left their first love. Despite their outward actions, their love for Him was not what it once had been. 

We can be guilty of the same. In the busyness of life, it can be easy to mistake activity for devotion. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13 that even the most sacrificial acts are meaningless without love.

We must regularly examine our hearts. If our love has cooled or wavered, take heart in knowing that His love remains steadfast. Just as He called the Ephesians to repent, He calls on those who have left their first love to repent. Just as He graciously restored Peter and used him in His service, He restores us. 

When our love is not what it should be, let us delight in, depend on, and recall the demonstration of His steadfast love.