Steadfast Love
When I thought, “My foot slips, your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up” Psalm 94:18, English Standard Version
Living is an assurance for mistakes. Through the many situations we face we may feel as no one cares or can uplift us while we try to make the best of things. Yet, it was the psalmist that stated that when his foot slipped the unchanging and constant love of God held him up. This love that is difficult to explain yet so filling to our spirit is the one thing that gets us through another day. In the many stages we face we find that we struggle to first understand what is expected of us, then find our identity; only to finish with the assurance that in our deepest sorrows and our most exuberant joy God was the one sustaining us.
Is life perfect? In no way. Do we always feel joy? No. Do we fall short? Always. In trying to be the best child to our parents we often fall short of their expectations for our lives. In trying to be the best parent we find that there is much we did not understand and sometimes it’s too late to rectify it. In trying to be the best wife or husband we fall short and learn that true love oversees flaws and understands that it is only human to make mistakes. In seeking God, it drives me deeper to say that falling short is an understatement.
God’s love is steadfast which means its constant, unmovable, persistent and dedicated. A place that teaches us that we do not deserve such devotion from He who created us. I am reminded of Adam when God called for him, “where are you?” (Genesis 3:9) and of Elijah when he hid, “What are you doing here, Elijah” (1 Kings 19:12). Adam hid out of fear, Elijah felt hopeless and said they had killed the prophets but he escaped. Moses’ after having stood before the mountain of God could have hid but instead said, “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” (Exodus 33:15).
I am reminded of times of homelessness, depression, imprisonment and I can say without a doubt that as my foot slipped it was the Lord that held me. In times of confusion and fear of the unknown it is God’s love that sustained me. Although there were times when I felt alone and misunderstood it was only then that the presence of the Lord covered me and helped me face the day.
The preacher noted, “God has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has set eternity the heart of man yet he cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end” (Eccl 3:11). Even when I feel unloved, insufficient and unworthy I must remember that God made EVERYTHING beautiful in its time. I may not fully understand what I am facing but at its due time I will. God only expects me to seek him and when I hide he expects me to answer His call. Even when I feel as hopeless as Elijah, “Lord they have killed your prophets, they have torn down your altars and I am left alone and they seek my life” (Romans 11:3). This is when it is more evident to me that God’s steadfast love is present.
Beloved, may you find the strength to stand, the courage to move and assurance that God’s steadfast love will never leave you. Even when you feel you cannot understand and are broken and discouraged He in due time will help you see the greatness of abiding in His love. My prayer for you is that God will give us Moses’ assurance that God’s presence goes before us and rest is inevitable.