Lovingkindness

October 3

Isaiah 62-64

Psalm 108:7-13

Proverbs 24:8-9

1 Timothy 1

Lovingkindness

“I shall bring to remembrance the loving kindnesses of Yahweh, the praises of Yahweh.  According to all the ways that Yahweh has dealt bountifully with us, and the abundant goodness toward the house of Israel, which He has dealt bountifully to them according to His compassion and according to the abundance of His loving kindnesses.”  Isaiah 63:7 LSB

There is a word in Hebrew, hesed, that is often translated into English as lovingkindness.  While it is the closest word we have, it really doesn’t fully describe its meaning.  Hesed is the loyal, merciful, gracious and steadfast love of God to His people.  It is a covenant love based on God’s faithfulness to keep His promises.  It is unconditional.  Our unfaithfulness does not cause Him to be unfaithful.  “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”  2 Timothy 2:13 LSB   Hesed is part of God’s character.  His goodness and compassion is demonstrated to humanity in mercy and forgiveness.  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end;  they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV  “Yahweh is gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.  Yahweh is good to all, and His compassions are over all His works.”  Psalm 145:8-9 LSB  Hesed is steadfast and constant.  “’For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,’ says Yahweh who has compassion on you.”  Isaiah 54:10 LSB   “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38-39 LSB 

The love of God is beyond our comprehension.  It cannot be put into words because it is unfathomable.  The Creator, Ruler, Lord and King of the universe loves me!  Of the 8 billion people currently on the Earth, He cares about me, He listens to me, and He is watching over me!  How is that even possible?  And why would He bother?  I am insignificant and unworthy and yet the Bible tells me over and over that He loves me.  “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being firmly rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”  Ephesians 3:17-19 LSB

While His love is amazing, it is also significant that He treats us with kindness.  Kindness is in short supply in our world.   It’s demonstrated in simple gestures not grand displays.  His kindness toward us can be overlooked if we aren’t paying attention but it can make all the difference.  It may be nothing more than a word from someone that lets us know He is watching over us and that He cares.  His gentle kindness welcomes us into His presence where we can find safety and peace when life is hard.