The Everlasting Kindness of God
Verse:1 Chronicles 16:34
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."
These words, first sung with jubilant praise as King David brought the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem, echo a truth that transcends that single moment of celebration. They speak not merely of a general, distant goodness, but of a personal, everlasting lovingkindness that is the very core of God's character. It is a love that is not only eternal in its general nature but is extended specifically and personally to each and every human being. Our entire approach to God must be founded upon this unshakable reality.
David’s outburst of praise was not simply because his kingship was restored or his political position secured. The presence of the ark, the tangible symbol of God’s covenant and presence, made him realize profoundly that at the heart of the universe is a God of hesed—a Hebrew word so rich that words like mercy, steadfast love, unfailing love, and grace only hint at its depth. When the scripture declares this lovingkindness to be "everlasting," it is proclaiming a static, unchanging truth. God does not alter in His nature. His inclination toward you is not fickle; it is not based on your performance, your mood, or your circumstances. It is a steady, unwavering constant in a chaotic world, open to all and unchanging toward all. This is the bedrock of our hope. In a world that shows partiality to the successful, the beautiful, and the powerful, God’s lovingkindness remains the same for every soul that seeks Him.
To understand hesed is to understand the very heart of God. It is a covenant loyalty, a promise-keeping love, a grace that is both tender and relentless. Even without knowing its full theological weight, the very sound of it is cajoling and soothing to the spirit. This is how we are invited to see God. The psalmist understood this when he prayed, "But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house" (Psalm 5:7). We can approach God successfully not because we are worthy, but because His mercy is certain. It is on this foundation of His character that we can build our prayers and our lives. When we choose to look at God through this lens—especially in the murky shadows of trials and pain—it is like a sudden spring thaw in the dead of winter, bringing life and peace to the frozen landscape of our hearts.
How we see God matters immensely. He is deeply pleased when we hoist the flag of His goodness, when we look intently at our Creator and realize, against all contrary evidence, that He is fundamentally good and steadfast. This love is unconditional. There will be times when friends and family close their eyes and doors to us. There will be seasons when we feel utterly forgotten, avoided, when it seems our opportunities have been stolen and we have been deceived by life itself. In those very moments, God’s steadfast love is spread out before you. It is a feast prepared in the midst of a famine. It is for you, specifically, if you will but come near and seek Him from this angle. This truth is sufficient. More than sufficient. Everything the world can give you is temporary and can be stolen, but the steadfastness of God is an eternal inheritance that no thief can touch.
Prayer:
O Lord, my God, my heart hears the echo of David's song, but my circumstances often shout a different story. When I feel forgotten and alone, remind me that Your love endures forever. When I feel that opportunities are lost and hope is dim, fix my eyes on the unchanging nature of Your hesed. Help me to see You correctly, not through the lens of my pain, but through the truth of Your everlasting kindness. I come to You now, not relying on my own merit, but relying entirely on Your promise of steadfast love. Quiet my soul with the overwhelming reality that Your mercy is my home. Amen.