March 19

Steadfast Love 

Children in my generation grew up quoting “God is love” every time the occasion called for quoting a Bible verse.  It is eternally imprinted in our memory.  We sang “Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so.  Little ones to him belong.  We are weak, but he is strong.”   

Did we realize as we sang this song and quoted this verse that one of God’s most profound truths was planting itself into our hearts?  Probably not, because as children we were taking the easiest path to please our teachers.  It never occurred to us that God was taking his easiest path in making us His forever.   

The psalmist declares: “I will sing of thy steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim thy faithfulness to all generations.  For thy steadfast love was established for ever, thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens.”   [Psalm 89:1-2] 

The rest of the psalm tells of God’s covenant with David, and with his children forever.  It sings of God’s faithfulness in keeping his promise, even though David and his descendants sinned.  God is love.  God is steadfast love.  God sent his Son to take our sins upon himself.  During this Lenten season I see my sins adding to the burden Jesus, who is love, bore on the cross and I truly repent. 

Jesus loves me, this I know.  Now, in my old age, I know his steadfast love forgives my sins and keeps me His forever.