The Loyal Love of God
Psalm 138 is famous for the refrain between every phrase: "his steadfast love endures forever"
It is recited in each of the 26 verses. One line after each of God's acts as recorded in Scripture from who He is to what He made to who He chose and how He is enthroned in heaven.
What's interesting is when the Psalm uses the term "steadfast love" it's using the Hebrew word, "Hesed", which means loyal love. This Hebrew word for love is almost exclusively used for God's relation to His people. HE alone is the TRULY loyal lover of His people. What a God we have!
Do you know what to be thankful for?
His LOYAL LOVE.
When you read the account of Psalm 138, you learn just how loyal God is in spite of our doubtful His people were.
He delivered Israel when they didn't trust or believe in Moses.
Psalm 136:10 (ESV) to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever;
He saved them dramatically while they claimed they were dead before Pharaoh's army
Psalm 136:13 (ESV) to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;
He was patient with their constant complaining in the wilderness.
Psalm 136:16 (ESV) to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever;
He gave them victories over their enemies in the midst of their complaining:
Psalm 136:17 (ESV) to him who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
He delivered them back from exile and reestablished them as a people in Israel:
Psalm 136:23–24 (ESV) It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; 24 and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever;
If there is one consistency of this Psalm it is the LOYAL love of God for His people IN SPITE of their constant doubt, fears, insecurities and faithlessness.
I can imagine the words of this Psalm reminding every Israelite of their God's faithfulness when their nation was at their worst. A humbling and yet incredibly important refrain for His people to sing.
Yet that's how God is. He's the loyal one in this relationship. We are those prone to wander. This Psalm calls us be thankful first and foremost. God doesn't need your promise to do better. There's a good chance you'll break whatever promise you make. God is looking for your gratitude that HIS goodness is always BETTER. He is at His best when we are at our worst. GIVE THANKS!
Amen.
It is recited in each of the 26 verses. One line after each of God's acts as recorded in Scripture from who He is to what He made to who He chose and how He is enthroned in heaven.
What's interesting is when the Psalm uses the term "steadfast love" it's using the Hebrew word, "Hesed", which means loyal love. This Hebrew word for love is almost exclusively used for God's relation to His people. HE alone is the TRULY loyal lover of His people. What a God we have!
Do you know what to be thankful for?
His LOYAL LOVE.
When you read the account of Psalm 138, you learn just how loyal God is in spite of our doubtful His people were.
He delivered Israel when they didn't trust or believe in Moses.
Psalm 136:10 (ESV) to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever;
He saved them dramatically while they claimed they were dead before Pharaoh's army
Psalm 136:13 (ESV) to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;
He was patient with their constant complaining in the wilderness.
Psalm 136:16 (ESV) to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever;
He gave them victories over their enemies in the midst of their complaining:
Psalm 136:17 (ESV) to him who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
He delivered them back from exile and reestablished them as a people in Israel:
Psalm 136:23–24 (ESV) It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; 24 and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever;
If there is one consistency of this Psalm it is the LOYAL love of God for His people IN SPITE of their constant doubt, fears, insecurities and faithlessness.
I can imagine the words of this Psalm reminding every Israelite of their God's faithfulness when their nation was at their worst. A humbling and yet incredibly important refrain for His people to sing.
Yet that's how God is. He's the loyal one in this relationship. We are those prone to wander. This Psalm calls us be thankful first and foremost. God doesn't need your promise to do better. There's a good chance you'll break whatever promise you make. God is looking for your gratitude that HIS goodness is always BETTER. He is at His best when we are at our worst. GIVE THANKS!
Amen.
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