How is the love for God defined?
Scripture: Psalm 136:1-10
A question is been asked of us this morning in regard to a common word that is often used in many of our daily conversations in one form or another: that word is love.
You and I, I do believe like most believers in God, that the word love is most often used in frivolous ways and does not give honor to God, so how should love for God be defined?
Love for God is generally defined as a deep, all-encompassing devotion encompassing heart, mind, and strength. It involved a complete surrender to God’s will, prioritizing Him in all aspect of life, and expressing this love through action like obedience and service. This love is not solely an emotion, but a way of life centered on God, as the steadfast love always.
The one hundred and thirty-six psalm specifically uses the phrase a lot! It is a long list of God’s attributes, and gives thanks for the fact His steadfast love endures forever. What does it mean for love to be steadfast?
The Hebrew word that the ESV translates as steadfast love’ is checed, and is also translated as love, faithful love, lovingkindness, gracious love or even mercy in other translations. The word is hard to define because it’s a deeper kind of love.
It is a unique covenant love that only God can give. It is a love that never changes, never fails, and always true. It is a love, a mercy, a compassion that we can trust in regardless of what our circumstances may be.
The idea behind the word is that God not only practices steadfast love, but God is steadfast love. He loves us in this way not because He is required to, or because He just want to, but it is out of an obligation to His own promise to do so no matter what.
The kind of love that led Him to the cross on our behalf, and the kind of love that remains faithful today. A covenant promise that is only valid because it is a promise based on His own character and faithfulness to keep His promises.
What does it mean that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases?
Believers can trust in God Almighty with every fiber of their being at every moment in time and in every circumstance because His faithful love never runs out or fails. Jeremiah remembers and declares this truth in Lamentation 3:22: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never comes to an end.
Jeremiah speaks these words at a time when he and the people of Judah feel forsaken by God, Jerusalem is in ruins, and Jeremiah himself is suffering from physical affliction. He compares his situation to that of a hopeless prisoner (Lamentation 3:7-9) but as he looks back on the experiences of his past, he suddenly remembers the steadfast unceasing love of the Lord.
This renewed revelation of God’s faithfulness changes everything for the prophet. Now he places his hope in the goodness and salvation of His God. Lamentations 3:22-39)
In Lamentations 3:22, the word for steadfast love in the original Hebrew (chesed) means loyal love. It in corporates God’s unfailing kindness, goodness, and mercy and is directly related to the faithfulness of His covenant.
God’s love towards His covenant people can never be extinguished. (in Deuteronomy 7:9; Ezra 3: 11; and Daniel 9: 4) He calls them my treasured passion. In Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6) and His love for them remains eternal (Psalm 136)
When our hearts struggle with fear, discouragement, loneliness, pain, or grief, reminding ourselves of the constancy of God’s love can be a tremendously encouraging game-changer, if our faith falters, we must remember God’s immovable, undying steadfast love.
He will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, declares the psalmist (psalm 37:28. Even if we are faithless, explains the apostle Paul, he remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13 and Romans 3:3-4)
Mankind often says this is what I want, how I want it, when I want it, but if it is not what God intend it to be, it will end in destruction. When we fall short of the mark by giving in to sin, the steadfast love of the lord never ceases. He is faithful at such times to discipline and correct us. We cannot please God our own way.
In His loyal love and compassion, He brings us to repentance and confession (Lamentation 3: 39-41; Romans 2:4) when we repent and confess He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. Bless are the peace makers, for they shall see God.
Now let’s stop and take a look at ourselves, can others see Christ in me? Christ is gentle, loving and kind, can others see that quality in me? Christ is peaceable, forgiving and gentle in all His ways, can others see that quality in me?
Christ never goes around with anger in His heart and never willing to forgive, or is full of pride: He is always saying take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and you shall find rest unto your souls, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Can others see Christ steadfast love in me?
We started this message with a question and is ending it with a question, are you satisfied with the answer you got?