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"O give thanks to the God of heaven, for His steadfast love endures forever" (Psalm 136:26). "The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love" (Psalm 145:8). "Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" (Jeremiah 33:11). "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases" (Lamentations 3:22).


Sunday afternoon we led a service at Longwood Manor, a local nursing home. As is often the case I wear a tie with a Scripture verse on it. Prior to the service an elderly resident approached me, looked at my tie and slowly read the verse (John 3:16). During my message I had the folks recite the verse together. A reminder of God's love, regardless of our age or how long we've walked with God, is always a great source of encouragement.

Today let us consider God's rich and steadfast love. Our daily verse makes a statement that I believe is often taken for granted even by devout believers. "The Lord is ... rich in love".  Perhaps when Matt Redman wrote his popular song, "Ten Thousand Reasons" that has the line "You're rich in love" he had this verse in mind. Consider the multitude of ways that God's attribute of rich or abundant love is extended to this world, waiting to be received.

Contrast God's rich, steadfast love with the often fickle love that is expressed by humans. A couple may stand before the altar of the church being united in marriage, pledging their love to one another, "till death do us part." But so very often that pledge just doesn't hold. Surely marital love is to be the greatest form of human love, along with that of parents to their children.

In contrast we consider the searing pain in the voice of one who has been rejected. We've heard it more than once through our years of ministry. "He (or she) left and said, 'I just don't love you anymore'." Due to the vacillations of human love we may tend to transfer that over to our understanding of God's love.

But the Scriptures abundantly teach about the immutable character of God, as expressed in our fourth daily text, "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases." The verse has a repetitive impact for emphasis. His love is steadfast and it never ceases. Other versions translate:

"Certainly the faithful love of the Lord hasn’t ended."
"The faithful love of the Lord never ends!"
"The Lord's unfailing love and mercy still continue."
"The Lord’s love never ends."
"How enduring is God’s loyal love."

God's love is rich and steadfast. "The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love." Another version states "abounding in steadfast love."

Today we know there are many reading this encouragement who have been deeply wounded by faltering human love. You may be an abandoned spouse or you may be a child who never knew the love of a responsible, caring parent. Sadly we have observed parents essentially abandoned by their adult children who are too busy to give them the attention they need in life's twilight years. You may be experiencing the rejection of those whom you considered friends or even your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Hear the words of Holy Scripture today and rest in God's rich, steadfast love. It is steady, sure and unfailing. He continues to express His love to us without ceasing, without vacillation, and without condition. "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness" (Jeremiah 31:3). No matter the troubles before us today, we can declare the praises of Him who is rich and steadfast in love toward those whom He created, and that includes you!



Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we are a blessed people because You choose to be "merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" toward Your creation. These complimentary characteristics of mercy, grace, longsuffering and steadfast love are evident in Your choice to forgive those who repent and believe Your promises in Christ Jesus. If You had merely sent Jesus to teach us about Himself and serve as our example, that would have been far more than we deserve.  But You sent Him to die for our sins. He was rich in love toward us, not after we cleaned up the mess of our lives, but even while we were dead in our trespasses and sins. Such love is supreme, steadfast and unending in supply. Thank You for meeting our greatest need and caring about our smallest one. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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The Psalmist asks "Has His steadfast love for ever ceased? Are His promises at an end for all time?" (Psalm 77:8).

"Satisfy us in the morning with thy steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days" (Psalm 90:14).

"Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy" (Psalm 103:4).

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" (Psalm 103:8).

"For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him" (Psalm 103:11).

"But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children" (Psalm 103:17).

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"10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)"  Video  Matt Redman

"The Steadfast Love Of The Lord Never Ceases"  Video  Maranatha Singers

"If That Isn't Love"  Video  The Isaacs An outstanding example of family harmony with a rich old song with a different arrangement common to the Isaacs style of singing.

"Remember O Lord (Psalms 25:6-7 & 36:7)"  Video  Scripture Memory series

"Satisfied (Hallelujah I Have Found Him)"  Video  GVB

"At Calvary"  Video  The Collingsworth Family

For fun! Tomorrow evening we are going to see the Lancaster Barnstormers minor league baseball and watch some Cowboy Monkey Rodeo!  Video  This is especially interesting to us since Ester has stuffed monkeys all over her room and the monkey cowboys ride on border collies, which we know from having Mollie, they can never get enough play, NEVER!