The Amazing ‘Chesed’ of God

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him” (Lamentations 3:22-24, RSV). Those who say that the God of the Old Testament was a God of hate have never studied God’s chesed. This is the Hebrew word translated by various words – love, kindness, mercy, grace, goodness, loyalty. The Revised Standard Version often translates it as “steadfast love” because chesed never falters or ends. It endures forever. This word in the original language of the Old Testament is only three letters long and yet it speaks volumes about God’s relationship with you. Even when betrayed … even when He needed to punish His people, God’s love-kindness-mercy-grace-goodness-loyalty never ceased. That’s how much He loves you! Even when we break God’s laws and…