Monday, May 25, 2009

Steadfast Love

God you truly are amazing. It is in the low of lows that your power is made perfect in our life. Thank you for creating us to need you. As much as it costs us to turn from our ways, it brings a peace that surpasses human understanding. It doesn’t make sense to trust in your unseen hand, but your ways are not our ways. Although many things may not make sense logically, your word declares “my thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways not your ways” Isaiah 55:8. The truth is, in the midst of this storms hope is found in your character. You are faithful, you are strong, you are merciful, and you are true. There is life in your words, there is hope in your promises, and there is purpose in your plan.
Although my heart turns from you, you remain. To me, that is what steadfast love is all about. It represents a love that will ‘weather’ the storm; a love that clings to truth and endures criticism. The love of Christ is a true reflection of steadfast love. In moments of adversity, moments of harsh criticism, moments of despair, Jesus chose to love mankind. As he was being beaten, spit at, laughed at, he demonstrates an undying love as he prays “forgive them Father, for they know not what they do” For it is only God, in Christ, that could have displayed a love so foreign to our world’s ways. What kind of love is this? It reminds God’s word in 1 John 3, “see what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God and so we are”. In this statement a promise and declaration that reflects God’s love for us is made. A declaration that states we are his simply because he called us to be. There is a power in his perfect love that makes grown men weep. It is that same love that conquers fear, heals addiction, overcomes ridicule, and fills the empty place of our heart. This love is at the center of his will for our life. Over thousands of years, God has continued steadfast in his ways, to reach out to us, desiring we would live in his ways and follow after him with all of our heart. His love for mankind has never ceased. Even in times of wickedness, after God chose to destroy cities and peoples, his love still shows in his ability to have mercy and build new convenants. This is the love God has for us. An undeniable, everlasting, steadfast love.