God is great, immensely worthy of our worship. Over and over the Psalms spell out God’s provision, protection, and worthiness; but they also chronicle the repeated unfaithfulness of God’s people. We read the Old Testament and shake our heads at the Israelites, wondering how they could forget what God had done for them and turn to other gods. We look at the Psalms and nod our heads in agreement to God’s faithfulness and greatness. But do we recognize our own unfaithfulness, and do we even begin to comprehend how great and worthy our God is and what we have in him?
The Hebrew word hesed is used several times in the Psalms and the prophets as a term for God’s love for us. It’s difficult for us to grasp because it’s a love that we cannot fully evidence ourselves. Some Bible versions use the term “lovingkindness” to interpret it. Others speak of God’s “steadfast love” or “everlasting love.” It implies a relationship, but it’s used only to express God’s commitment to the relationship. Commitment. That’s a big word. Sometimes young people consider marriage but are scared off because of the commitment involved. Perhaps you’re newly married; you’ve recently made a serious commitment to another person. Hopefully, you sense the gravity of a promise to remain faithful and devoted. But that degree of commitment you feel, no matter how strong, is minuscule compared to God’s steadfast, everlasting love for you. The theme of the book of Hosea is God’s hesed for Israel. Hosea’s wife Gomer depicted the unfaithful Israelites; yet Hosea was to remain loyal and loving, picturing the steadfastness of God’s love.
We are not capable of hesed, but we should try to comprehend and appreciate it in our God. While we’re shaking our heads at the Israelites, let’s consider our own tendency to forget what God has done and who God is. As the Psalmists review God’s steadfast love, review God’s steadfast love in your own life. Think of those times when God fell a few places on your list of priorities, when ministry for him and faithfulness to his plan for this age took second, third, or even fourth place. God was still faithful. When you turned back to him, he forgave and welcomed you home.
Praise the Lord! Read the Psalms with greater attention and join the psalmist as he praises the Lord. Tell others about God’s greatness. Sing. “Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you”(Psalm 63:3). “It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night”(Psalm 92:1-2).