His Steadfast Love

"He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.  Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men" (Ps. 107:20-21).

The psalmist calls us to give thanks and praise for the steadfast love of the LORD (Ps. 107:1).  This is a psalm reminding the redeemed of the Lord of his infinite praiseworthiness. The Lord has delivered them from all of their troubles, even the troubles that they have brought upon themselves by their wanton waywardness. He does this because his love, unlike their love, is steadfast.

The Lord's steadfast love is rock solid.  It is unbreakable.  His love is an attribute of his character, and thus, it is infinite, holy, perfect, and true.

Were we not the objects of his love, our situation would be hopeless.  Our wayward hearts would lead us farther and farther from his loving embrace.  We would flee his love, like we were running from destruction itself.  But his love pursues us, it surrounds us, and it holds us captive.

The people mentioned in Psalm 107:20-21, were "fools through their own ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction" (Ps. 107:17).  They were knocking at death's door, because the rejected God's provision.  Yet, God sends out his word and heals them.

In these words, we see grace displayed.  He isn't rescuing those who are looking for him.  He is conquering his enemies with his love.  They are locked in their rebellion to the point of death, and yet, he nurses them back to life.

The Word of Christ brings healing as the Spirit works faith in the believer.  The poison of rebellion is slowly drawn from the sin-wounded heart, through the process of sanctification.  Every day that Spirit seeks to apply the healing balm of the Word to our sin-sick hearts.  Through the gospel, we have been brought back from death to life, but while we live in this body sins poison still affects us.

But God has sent out his Word, and it will not return unto him void.  It will accomplish what he wills.  We can say with Paul, "I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion on the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6).

With this confidence, a gratitude must flow forth from us.  Reflection upon the overflowing graciousness of God's steadfast love should drive us to thankfulness.  God's praise should forever be upon our lips, because of Christ's death and resurrection.  He loved us when we were enemies, he made us his own, and now he should be the object of our greatest adoration and gratitude.  Love him, thank him, because he first loved you.