This crisis has shown me the fragility of the world. A small microscopic bug has torn down many permanent fixtures. In a short amount of time businesses are threatened, sports has been put on hold, and fear has swept across our nation.
Israel endured many such times throughout the Old Testament. They endured persecution, disease, famine, and war. A rich and deep concept fills the Old Testament writings. The Hebrew word chesed refers to the Old Testament’s highest expression of love. It is used most often for God’s love for humanity. It is translated with English terms such as, “unfailing love, steadfast love, lovingkindness, and mercy.” It is the term which refers to God’s rescuing people from disaster, sustaining life, forgiving sin, and showing mercy. It is rich and deep in meaning because it involves his covenant-keeping nature. God is a promise-keeper!
It is this steadfast love that the Isrealite often praised and relied upon despite their suffering and hardships. Many Psalms proclaim the glory and hope which is seen in the unfailing love of God (Psalm 33, 89, 136). It is this steadfast love that Moses proclaims as the foundational character of the God of who led them out of Egypt and gave the law at Sinai (Ex. 34:6-7). It is this steadfast love that Jeremiah finds hope in despite his lamentations and weeping over the destruction of Jerusalem and ensuing captivity by Babylon. Jeremiah wrote, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him”” (Lam. 3:22-24).
As we deal with the pandemic of coronavirus and the crisis it has caused, let’s remind ourselves of the steadfast love of the Lord. His mercies are still new every morning! Great is His faithfulness! He has not forgotten or abandoned us! His love is unfailing. Take hope! Take comfort! Have peace; the Lord is own His Throne!
