By Jonathan Keller
“Abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness”
Grazing boards take charcuterie to the next level. Several varieties of funky cheeses and cured meats arranged in swirling patterns on a table display a beauty that ought not be disturbed. Throughout the evening they also seem to never run out. Grazing boards display sheer abundance.
As we continue this reflection on God’s identity, the word “abounding” stands out. God is not just characterized by steadfast love and faithfulness. He abounds in them. They never run out in Him, and it is as if they are about to spill over all across creation!
Steadfast Love
“Steadfast love,” “loving-kindness,” “covenant-mercy,” and more are phrases to encapsulate the Hebrew word hesed. The word captures something like the LORD. It describes the motive force that issues from the covenant commitment God has with His people. Out of His covenant He abundantly pours forth goodness, kindness, blessing, mercy, love, and more. He binds Himself to this commitment in such a way that He almost dotes on His people in how much He gives to them.
Think of the sort of love in a marriage. After a number of years, the honeymoon glow fades and one’s spouse’s flaws are both apparent and seemingly everywhere. Rather than draw up a divorce statement, though, many couples recall their marital vows and, based on that commitment, find in themselves a different kind of love for their partner. “I love her because she’s my wife.” “I love him because he’s my husband.” Why get his favorite candy bar on a random Thursday afternoon? Why make her coffee on a random Saturday morning? Why sit with her on the couch and do little to nothing but be with her? Why stay late an extra hour to help pay off his debt? Don’t you remember when they forgot to take the trash or that fight about the cat?
That’s but a taste of God’s hesed for His people. It’s love-in-action, love-from-commitment, and for God, that commitment was established when His people were actively in rebellion!
Faithfulness
Like hesed, this Hebrew word, emeth, draws on several ideas. It can mean “faithfulness,” “truth,” “trustworthiness,” or even “assurance.” The idea is simple: a real thing is something grounded and something upon which I can act consistently. God is true in that He describes Himself and the rest of reality accurately. Because of that accuracy, we can trust in His words for our future despite our lack of knowledge about reality.
How do I assure my future? I often try to consult people with experience or wisdom about the matter. Consultants trade in the idea of assurance and trustworthiness; they come in to solve a problem, offering advice that should assuredly work compared to the ideas already tried.
These consultants are derivative, though. Their counsel is only good as far as it accords with reality, which they did not make. They rely on the steady counsel of God’s active providence in the world for their work. From the Creator’s steady and faithful hand come their words about the future.
Rather than continue to turn to human experts for matters of ultimate importance, the Lord shows us here that we ought to come to Him for trustworthiness and faithfulness. Other creatures are limited by their lowly condition, but He, the Creator, is above all creation. Our futures, in Him, can really be secure! Our task is simply to walk in the paths He has told us are good.
Abounding in Steadfast Love and Faithfulness
Here’s a simple proof of God’s hesed and emeth through history. He promised that all nations and tribes and languages would bow at the feet of His Son, Jesus. You currently read this in a language that did not exist when the Old Testament was written. Acting through His servants across thousands of years, the Lord has not only caused His Word to be understood in the language of pagans but also effected our hearts to trust in Him as Lord!
How have you seen the Lord’s abundance in committed love and trustworthiness in your life recently?