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But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Psalm 86:15, ESV

There is a word that is repeated often in the Old Testament, and we hear it here, and that word in Hebrew is “hesed,” which is often translated as steadfast love or lovingkindness. It is a loyal love that withstands all things and a godly love that is not circumstantial. We often worry about people liking us or not liking us if we do or do not do something. With God, His love withstands it all as He calls out to us. His love doesn’t just go away as He calls us to Himself. It was this love in which He entered Creation in the Son and endured the suffering, the pain, and death on the Cross for us. As we think about the love of our Lord, it is important to note that God’s love does not come with an ultimatum but a promise. In a moment, our Lord is willing and able to remove all stains of our past and cleanse us from any guilt or shame as He desires for us to know Him and feel His hesed as we are welcomed into His peace.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.