For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. Psalm 26:3
David sings of God’s steadfast love, or chesed. Some translations say unfailing love, lovingkindness, mercy or grace. The word has connotations of benevolence and is something that can’t be reciprocated. It also hints at the idea of overflowing boundaries. It is love that cannot be contained.
The Psalm says that God’s steadfast love was before David’s eyes – and he walked in faithfulness. What is this connection between our walk and God’s chesed?
God’s goodness is all around us, but do we choose to look at it? Do we have a heart spiritually trained to see? I can miss things that are obvious right in front of me, because I was focusing on something else. I need to focus on God’s lovingkindness that is before my eyes.
It also seems a choice to keep it before my eyes. What am I meditating on? Do I notice His grace but give it only a passing thought? Or do I choose to immerse myself in His Word and gratitude? God’s chesed can be a constant presence in my soul because it is reliable and will never fail.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. Lamentations 3:22
If my mind is so consumed with God’s grace, His kindness to me, His boundless love – I will not wander into fear, worry, or resentment. Since I have been shown grace, I will be more gracious to those around me. I can dispense chesed generously in the same way I’ve received it. His lovingkindness leads me to walk faithfully.
Lord, give me eyes to see and a heart disciplined to keep your love ever before me. Help me to understand Your great chesed and let it free me to pass it on.
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