“But I am like a green olive tree
in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God
forever and ever.”
– Psalm 52:8
God’s steadfast love (“hesed” in Hebrew) is spoken of over and over again throughout Scripture. It’s central to His character. He is the God of steadfast love. His love is quite unlike our shallow human (especially 21st century) notions of love. God’s steadfast love is unwavering and unchanging. It isn’t conditional or transactional. It doesn’t increase or decrease based on His mood, the weather, what we’ve done for Him lately, or the situation of the world.
God’s steadfast love is an unshakable foundation upon which we can build our lives. The Psalmist describes God’s love as the source of perpetual nourishment and life-giving abundance that makes him like a green olive tree. By making the commitment to trust in God’s love forever, he knows he is forever fruitful and healthy.
During this time of uncertainty, difficulty, frustration, anxiety, and genuine suffering, put your trust in God’s steadfast love. Though the world around you may feel hostile and strange, God’s love will provide all you need to thrive. This is the love that never fails. This is the love that sent His Son Jesus into this world to suffer and die for our sins. This is the love that raised Jesus from the dead and the love that fills us with a fountain of living water when we put our faith in Jesus. This is the love that forgives our every sin and mistake in Christ and the love that in Christ we will enjoy forever and ever in God’s presence.