His Kindness Is Forever

Have you ever wondered if God’s love for you has an expiration date? Psalm 136 opens with a command and a reason. The command is to give thanks. The reasons are that God is good and His steadfast love endures forever. This psalm was a great hymn of praise for Israel, likely sung during their most important festivals. The refrain, “for his steadfast love endures forever,” is repeated in every single verse. It is the heartbeat of the song and the foundation of their faith. For the original audience, this was not just a nice thought. It was a declaration of God’s proven faithfulness throughout their history. This opening verse sets the theme for everything that follows. The psalmist will go on to list God’s mighty acts in creation and redemption, from dividing the Red Sea to giving them the promised land. Each act is presented as evidence of God’s enduring, loyal love. This love is not a vague feeling. It is a covenant promise that has been kept through generations. It is the very basis for their worship and their hope, reminding them that the God who acted in the past is the same God who is faithful in the present.

God’s love for you is not based on your performance. It is not conditional on your success or your strength. It is based entirely on His character. He is good. His love is steadfast. That means it does not change. The same loyal love that carried Israel through the wilderness is the same love that holds you right now. This is a covenant love, sealed not with an animal sacrifice, but with the precious blood of His Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:12). Because His love is eternal and unchanging, you can stop trying so hard to earn it. You can rest. When you feel you have failed, His love has not failed. When you feel weak, His love remains your strength. It is a love that has pursued you your entire life and will continue to pursue you for all of eternity. It is a love that lasts. It is a love that holds. It is a love that will never let you go. So today, when you are tempted to doubt God’s goodness or question His presence, I want you to anchor your soul to this truth. His steadfast love for you endures forever. It is a fact, not a feeling. It is the most secure reality in the entire universe, and you can build your life upon it. What worry can you release today, trusting completely in His unending, loyal love for you?

How would your day change if you truly believed God’s loyal love for you will never, ever run out?

Father, thank you that Your love is not temporary but eternal, a promise that never breaks. Help me to rest in Your goodness today instead of in my own efforts. I receive Your steadfast love for me right now. Amen.

Psalm 136 was likely sung antiphonally. A Levite would sing the first line of each verse, and the congregation would respond with, 'for his steadfast love endures forever.'