I've read through the Psalms many times in my almost six decades of living, but as I'm currently reading through it again it's as if I'm noticing for the first time how frequently the steadfast love of the Lord is mentioned. In last week's Sunday Soul Food post I mentioned some of those verses.
In Psalm 57:7 and Psalm 108:1 the Psalmist says that his heart is steadfast. In Psalm 112:7 it says that the Psalmist is not afraid of bad news because his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. In the original language the word firm could also be translated steadfast. As I am rereading the Psalms, I am convinced that the key to our own heart being steadfast-unafraid, at peace, trusting-is being fully persuaded about God's steadfast love for us. When we are confident in God's love, when we know in the depths of our being that nothing can separate us from His steadfast love for us, then we can face what comes our way in this life trusting in Him and His steadfast love. We can trust that He will lovingly care for us, come what may.
Earlier this summer, I took the photo above while we were enjoying some time away at a little cabin on the Umpqua River in Oregon. The mountains, trees, and sky were reflected perfectly in the quiet waters of the river. Similarly, I believe that our own heart can be steadfast and still, perfectly reflecting the steadfastness of God's heart, when we are deeply and firmly rooted in His steadfast love. May I suggest that you do a word search in the Bible of the words steadfast love. (Bible gateway is a free online tool you can use.) In my Bible I underlined each of those verses and marked them with a red heart. Perhaps you may just want to print out the verses so that you have all of them handy in one place. Spend some time each day meditating on the truth about God's steadfast love for you. See if you notice a resulting difference in the state of your own heart as you grow in your confidence of God's love for you. I am confident that your own heart is going to reflect more steadfastness, more peace, more trust. Give it a try and see!
still following,
Amen! This is truth. We must be convinced that nothing can ever separate from His love. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you, too!
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