Steadfast Love
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end. (v. 22)
In the ESV translation of the Bible, the adjective translated steadfast is used to describe God’s love for us about 200 times. If you look up the word steadfastin a dictionary or two, you will find definitions such as “unchangeable,” “firmly fixed in place,” “unwavering,” “firm in purpose,” “loyal,” and “immovable.”
In our reading today, we see that God’s steadfast love for us is unceasing—it never ends. That is hard for us humans to understand—we are so accustomed to everything ending. Chapters in our lives close, years go by, relationships change, our bodies age, and someday, our human life in this world will end. But God’s love for us lasts forever. This love “never ceases” (v. 22), which connotes a relational attachment that’s consistent, constant, and steady. Like gravity, God’s love is always present on earth, and we are always affected by its pull. It doesn’t fade in and out with time or circumstances.
God’s love for us is unceasing and unconditional regardless of who we are, what we have done, what our life experiences are, what we think, or whether we even believe God loves us. His steadfast love for us is a fact, not a feeling. We can depend on it like nothing else in this world.
As you pray, ask God to reveal to you his unceasing steadfast love.
Scripture
”This I recall to my mind, Therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, Because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; Therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, To the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly Wait for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man that he bear The yoke in his youth. He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, Because he hath borne it upon him. He putteth his mouth in the dust; If so be there may be hope. He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: He is filled full with reproach. For the Lord will not Cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion According to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly Nor grieve the children of men.“
Lamentations 3:21-33 KJV