His Love Endures Forever by Brittany Simmons
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever” (Ps. 118:1).
He will never leave me nor forsake me. If there is one constant, one truth, that echoes in my heart and soul through all the ups and downs of life, it is that God’s love is steadfast. The steadfastness of the Lord means that amid grief, anger, and chaos, He is always a refuge, a comfort, and a strength. The Old Testament Psalms are full of David’s cries and confidence in God’s steadfastness.
No matter how far I swerve or walk in a different direction, He remains constant. Without such hope, comfort, and confidence in the Lord, I would disappear into anger and grief in times of pain, and into egotistical arrogance in times of victory. 1 John 4 tells us over and over that “God is love.” Therefore, when we think of God as steadfast, it is not just that He is loyal and unmoving, but that his love is steadfast and committed. Can we find better comfort, peace, or security than in knowing that God and the very love that is his character is never moving, never failing?
A quick glimpse at any media declares the widespread war, death, and conflict that could easily leave us overwhelmed, distressed, and shouting, “WHERE ARE YOU, LORD?” Yet, because He is love, and He is steadfast, He can and does receive those cries with mercy and compassion. As the psalmist wrote, “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free” (Ps: 118:5).
Because of the very intense and steadfast nature of His love, He must allow the choices (good and bad) we make to play out. For God to do anything else would be tantamount to Him forcing His love upon us, without consent, and we know that forced love is not real love but actually violence. His love brings freedom.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul also demonstrates his reliance on the steadfast nature of Jesus. Through all of Paul’s many trials and tribulations, due directly to his sharing the good news of Jesus, Paul exclaimed in Philippians 1:21, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” The “to live is Christ” portion is not a soft or gentle proclamation, but an encouragement to sacrifice and take up our cross, knowing in full confidence that God’s steadfast nature, his love, perseveres over and through death. Give thanks to the Lord, for even in the worst of earthly circumstances, we can know that He is always life, even, and especially, in death. Give thanks to the Lord for He IS good, He is steadfast, He is love!
Prayer: Dear God, help me today to rest in you and walk boldly in the world knowing that you are steadfast; that you will never leave nor forsake me. Help me to find strength in your strength! Help me to live in the truth that your love endures forever!
Dig Deeper: Read Psalm 118:1-9, 14-29 and note how the author continually goes to the Lord to declare His faithfulness and extol His provision. There is power in our prayers when we cry out through the pain, and then immediately reflect in the power of His steadfast love! What would this look like in your life?
Discussion Questions:
1. How would declaring your confidence in God’s steadfast love change how you encounter the world?
2. What is one area of your life where you can “give thanks to the Lord”? Now, go! Give thanks to Him, He is good!
about Brittany Simmons
Brittany Simmons loves Jesus and is a wife, mom, and recently retired US Army Officer and West Point graduate with experiences ranging from combat action in Iraq to teaching cadets at West Point to human resources and recruiting. She is a leadership coach, trainer, and speaker with a passion for equipping leaders of character with confidence and competence. She, her husband, two boys, and two mini-goldendoodles live in Fishers, IN and are active members and volunteers at Grace Fishers Church. You can find her on Instagram at @brittesimmons or her website at www.brittanyesimmons.com.
