The Blessings of His Steadfast Love

My Bible study this year is studying The Book of Psalms, and it has amazed my soul to see God’s steadfast love. I believe when we soak in God’s steadfast love and meditate on His agape love, obedience comes as a desire. When I look at His wondrous works and see the majesty of His hand upon creation, it brings His light and His passion for His own front and center within my heart.

Does obedience for any of us come easy? I don’t believe so. I think it is exceedingly hard to focus minute by minute making every decision with the idea of compliance and obedience to our Lord. There are a multitude of decisions we make in day, a week, a month and a year. Some of those decisions can affect us for years or even a lifetime. It’s one thing to do what someone tells us to do; it’s another to do what the Lord calls us to do. We all know that the Lord calls us to obedience for His glory and for our good. He loves to lavish His steadfast love on us and desires us to walk the path He has purposed for us.

The act of obedience is directly associated with respect, reverence and awe, which is known to us as “fearing the Lord.” I never associated walking in obedience as being directly related to fearing our Father, but isn’t that a part of His constant steadfast love?

Psalm 3:3-4

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

I cried aloud to the Lord, and He answered me from His Holy Hill.

The Psalmist reminds us that He answers us when we call so we can put our trust in Him alone. Verse 8 says, “In peace we lie down and sleep: for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

If we think for just a moment of how much He lavishes His love on us, shouldn’t it be easy for us to be obedient in love back to Him? I have never taken part in social media. You see, I know myself. I know how easy it is for me to get pulled into the desire to keep up with all that’s going on around me. That doesn’t mean I don’t get hooked on Pinterest or You Tube, but I have to make a conscious effort to put the phone down. It is the most difficult thing for me to do at times. I find that when I focus on God’s steadfast love for me, I’m able to slow down, listen and soak Him in, finding peace and joy.

Psalm 5:7

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house,

I will bow down toward Your holy temple in the fear of You.

His love is overflowing, generous, full of grace and mercy, patient, perfect, and approachable. Who would not want to walk closely with the Lord knowing what we know? He saves for the sake of His steadfast love. (Psalm 6:4)

Psalm 8:1, 3-4

O Lord, Our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! When I look at your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, And the son of man that you care for him?

He still cares for us though we put our own agendas, desires and directions ahead of Him. The creator God of the universe - majestic, mighty, mindful of us - cares for His sheep. He has delivered our lives out of the pit, granted us eternal life, used the good, bad and ugly for His good, restored our relationships, transformed our lives, healed our sickness, answered our calls, and lifted our heads.

Obedience out of reverence for all He has done seems easier when I look at it in a deeper level. Recalling what Jesus Christ has done within my life brings me to a place of awe. Truly, through many ugly and horrendous choices in my life, I can’t help but fall on my face, overwhelmed by His grace and mercy.

He saved a wretch like me? I am reminded of Psalm 9:1-3, “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you, I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”

Psalm 25:6-7

Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness.

He is worthy of thanksgiving and praise for all He alone has done in our lives. As the Psalmist says, “But I have trust in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord because he has dealt bountifully with me.” (Psalm 13:5-6)

Psalm 52:8-9

I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.

Psalm 63:3-4

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So,

 I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

All we have to do is look at through Scripture, especially the Psalms, and see how His steadfast love endures forever. As I focus on His unending, abundant, life-giving, steadfast love, I fall into a place of heartfelt worship desiring obedience. Without knowing God or remembering what He has done within my life and those around me, obedience would be a chore, another thing required of me. But recounting all He is and what He has done, captivates my heart in gratitude and joy. His steadfast love endures forever; shouldn’t mine?

Psalm 145:8-14

The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that he has made. All your works shall

give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting

kingdom and your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful

in all His words and kind in all His works. The Lord upholds all who are falling and

raises up all who are bowed down.

Psalm 147:11

But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,

in those who hope in His steadfast love.

I have found abundant joy in researching His steadfast love, and I truly can say that it has made all the difference in my walk with Him. He has sustained, enabled, comforted, and brought understanding when I didn’t understand, and given me patience when I thought I couldn’t endure. His steadfast love has made all things possible and has given grace and mercy when I didn’t deserve it. He was faithful when I was unfaithful, believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, and loved me when I was unlovable. He is the mountain mover, the perfect planner, the visitor in times of need, the designer, gift-giver, timekeeper, and my mediator. He is steadfast love to the fullest. How could I not draw near to Him? How could I not walk in His obedience knowing of His steadfast love?

PRAYER POINTS:

~ Lord, please lead me to obedience through your steadfast love for your glory. You  are abundant in your love for us Father. Please enable me to love like you love  and to reach those around me through your love.

~ You hear us when we call Lord, and you never ignore our needs. Help me to see  the needs of those around me so I can shower them with your love. Please give  me strength to love those who are unlovable.

~ Father, you are the perfect planner. Please order my day so I can see you first.

Father God, You are love and your love has changed my life. You are gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. I praise you for coming after me when I have been lost, for saving me from a dark pit and for transforming my life. I praise you for your steadfast love that captivated my heart and has given me a desire to come near to you. I rely upon you, Father. You are everything I have looked for. You are faithful, true, patient, and understanding. Thank you for saving me, using me, directing me, and never giving up on me. You heal the brokenhearted, and You apply Your healing balm where it is needed. Your love has reached me and given me a desire to be obedient. Please give me direction in continuing to walk in this journey of life for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Nikki Fenske

Flourish Women’s Ministry

Mid-Way Baptist Church