January 6, 2026 -- Psalm 145:2,8 -- What is God like? His steadfast love.
/People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!
Every day I will bless you
and praise your name forever.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Psalm 145:2,8 ESV
What is God like? Some people figure if He exists at all, He is angry all the time. Or He is somewhere far away, completely unaware of His creation, or His hapless creatures. The writer of this psalm is piling up descriptions of Who God Is, that are rich, reassuring, and beautiful. At Christmas time, many of you sang carols that included the Name of Jesus Immanuel. That name means God with us.
How can you be sure the God really is near, with you?
First, it is the promise of the Bible. The only, utterly trustworthy book ever written.
Second, consider the fact that He is abounding in steadfast love. You’ve had friends who end conversations with the tagline, I love you…but then you don’t hear from them. There’s no evidence of their love anywhere to be seen. By way of contrast, the verses 14 - 20 declare the glorious acts of God by which He proves He is loving toward all He has made. (Go ahead, read them. I’ll wait.)
Third, the greatest demonstration of God’s steadfast love, is Jesus Christ. Jesus is God come down to earth. He knows how hard it is to be human and never sinned. He experienced all the temptations and pains of humanity but never sinned. That is why His death is the one, final sacrifice that takes away sin. All who believe on Him are forgiven their sins and experience God’s grace and mercy and patience.
Finally, listen to Christian friends who experience such lovingkindness from God.
If this is not your experience of God, find a Christian whose walk with God you admire and ask questions. Really dig into what this all means. The most basic questions of life are:
How did I get here?
Why am I here?
How can I tell right from wrong?
What happens when I die?
When you ask, what is God like, you are exploring the answer to those four most basic life questions. When you go to Him, Who made you and loves you, with all your questions, you’ll find the answers to be glorious. No wonder that, at the start of this psalm, David blesses the LORD, Who made him and gave purpose to his life.
Mighty God of Heaven and Earth, my mouth will speak the praise of Your Name,
and with new-found joy in knowing You more fully, I call on all people to join with me in blessing His holy name forever and ever. Amen.
(Based on Psalm 145:21)
https://youtu.be/UQVm06EhJnI?si=vdBhSm1bsPIQjvWn My heart is filled with thankfulness
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