I really love this time of year when we as a family and as a church are intentional to thank the Lord for our family, our home, our friends, our many blessings, and most of all for His love.
A phrase has been ringing in my heart this week: "the steadfast love of the Lord".
You may have read, or sung Lamentations 3:22-26 "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."
On my thankful list this year is "the steadfast love of the Lord".
His love is steady and never wavers when I do. He is faithful when I am not. He is dependable to keep His promises when I am not. He is reliable when I slack. He is committed to transforming my heart and mind when I don't feel like it. He loyal, faithful, and true!
He shows steadfast love to the thousands of those who love him and keep His commandments (Dt. 5:10)
God's covenant promise to David: My steadfast love will not depart from you. (2 Sam 7:15)
David trusting in that promise after an epic fail: Have mercy on me according to your steadfast love. (Ps 51:1)
The steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. (Ps 32:10)
And then there is of course there is the Psalmist's answer to the "I am thankful for...." writing prompt:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, his steadfast love endures forever; to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever; and bought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever; with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever; and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever; but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; and killed mighty kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love lasts forever; and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever; and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever; a heritage to Israel his servant, for his steadfast love endures forever. It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; he who give food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136