by Jordy van Gaalen

His Steadfast Love

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“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.”
Psalm 86:5 NIV

Forgiveness is an incredibly difficult thing. 

And yet God, who has the most to hold against us, is quick to forgive. In times when I was hurt deeply by a friend, it made me reflect on my actions toward God. I find other things more important than Him on a daily basis. I don’t call to check in and I put myself above Him. I hurt His children and I slander His name. I am a horrible friend and child toward my loving Father. I would not want to be treated the way I too often treat Christ. 

Yet He is quick to forgive. He does not hold these things against me. He is good. He is holy. He is forgiving. His love is unchanging. It is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He loves us beyond what we could ever do, ever say, ever accomplish. His love is forever present and forever reaching out to us. 

“They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them.”
Nehemiah 9:17 NIV

The Lord, our Savior, will never desert you. He will forgive every wrong and wipe away every tear. He is gracious and kind and merciful. You can never travel so far away that His love cannot reach you. He is waiting with open arms, just as we see in the parable of the father in the Prodigal Son – running with arms open wide and giving a big sloppy kiss.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado