“ . . . for his steadfast love endures forever!” – Psalm 106:1b
In the month of October, we celebrate the Reformation. Many have often wondered what enabled Dr. Martin Luther to be the driving force he came to be, during the Reformation. The answer can be found in our verse this month. Dr. Luther knew the security of God’s love. Sharing in that security of God’s love is the heart of our heritage of faith. It is firm and sure, an immovable rock on which to build, and an anchor to cling to in stormy seas. Vastly different from human love, it is not based on chemistry, feelings, like-mindedness, or performance. We can trust in his love no matter what we do or what happens to us. He simply but profoundly loves us.
God’s faithfulness is not measured by the instability and fickleness of man’s soul. God’s love is based on his nature, and on his faithfulness to himself. In his love, he made a unilateral, unbreakable covenant with his people, no matter what they say or how they act. There are consequences for their choices, but he does not stop loving them, nor does he renege on the covenant. God has a plan to bless and fulfill all of his people. He is faithful to that plan, whether or not individuals refuse or reject His desired blessing for them.
At the foot of Mount Sinai, the people of Israel quickly turned aside from the way of Yahweh, created other gods, and spent their time eating, drinking, and playing. When in his wrath God turned away from them, Moses appealed to him, “Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou didst swear by thine own self” (Exodus 32:13). Psalm 106 recounts Israel’s rebellion, murmuring, provoking, and serving idols. Consequences were inevitable, but God never left them.
God continued with his perfect plan to save and bless his people. It is by his steadfast love that we are saved. Thanks be to God!
Prayer: We rejoice, Father, in your faithfulness and steadfast love for us. Help us to grow in that love, that we may reflect it to a troubled and unstable world. Amen.