Happy Valentine’s Day!

I am absolutely amazed by God’s hesed (covenant faithfulness, also translated loyal love).  Hesed is manifested in relationships whether between God and man or between two individuals. When God reveals Himself to Moses, He says, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love…” (Exodus 34:6-7 ESV, italics added). In Hebrew the word keeping is a participle (verbal adjective). Participles in Hebrew indicate continuous action. God is continuous in keeping steadfast love. At no point in time will this be void.

The Apostle Paul says, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8 ESV, c.f. 1 John 4:9-10). Based on this premise the Apostle John states, “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them” (1 John 4:16 NLT). Love is an action, it is a verb, it is something that we do. We love (action) because God first loved us (4:19). The love, faithfulness, kindness, holiness, righteousness of God is perfect. His perfect love expels all fear (4:18).  “Love is characterized by fear when there is a doubt it will be returned. We have no fear of this since God’s love was prior to ours” (Akin, 1,2,3, John, 2001, p. 187). Whatever your thoughts and feelings are toward Valentine’s Day, do not forget this truth: the Cross is the ultimate expression of God’s covenant faithfulness, loyal love. As God’s love and faithfulness are poured into you, may you pour out on those around you. Love does not happen in isolation (see 1 John 4:20-21). Whatever your thoughts and feelings are toward Valentine’s Day, may you be encouraged by God’s love (hesed) for you! Taste and see that the LORD is good (Ps 34:8).

Father, thank You for Your covenant faithfulness. Thank You that love is both Your nature (who You are) and Your action (what You do). Lord, help us to display Your hesed. Help us to be loyal and faithful to You and to those in our lives. Lord, may we not take Your love for granted nor as an excuse to do whatever we please. Lord, may we live and love in a way that brings Your name glory, honor and praise. Thank You Lord, for this reader. May this reader be overwhelmed, encouraged, motivated and awed by the incredible love that You have for them. May they drink and savor Your goodness. May they live free knowing that Your perfect love expels all fear. Hold this reader close to You. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.