February 17, 2026 -- Proverbs 3:3 -- God's love and faithfulness; do you know it?
/People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Proverbs 3:3.
What is steadfast love? It is the covenant love with which your Father in heaven loves you. Steadfast love (which is the translation of the Hebrew word hēsēd) has about 100 translations into English. It can mean lovingkindness, mercy, ardent zeal, graciousness, love, goodwill, commitment and so on. Faithfulness means firmness and truth as well as loyalty. Though believers are at times faithless, God is faithful, remembering His steadfast love forever, and it means that He Who started a good work in you will bring it to completion.
Why does it matter? Steadfast love and faithfulness are the treasures of God poured out into the life of the one who chooses obedience. Steadfast love and faithfulness which fill the heart of the one who knows he is loved by God through the accomplished work of Jesus Christ will in turn, show steadfast love and faithfulness toward the covenant community of believers. The storehouse of God’s treasures will be shared among believers, gifts more costly, valuable, and rare than mere gold, silver or possessions. Life in Christ is characterized as steadfast love and faithfulness received and then shared.
How does one walk so that he receives and shares such treasures?
First, one is steeped in the teachings of God. Filled with the teachings of God through faithful parents. Maybe a Christian friend has become a spiritual father or mother to you and shows you this way of living.
Second, one who has received the teaching of God, owns it not as the teachings “out there” which belongs to other people, but claims it as for himself as teaching that has grabbed his own heart. His soul is inspired by it, and so daily, he strives to live in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Third, the more one realizes his life is drenched in God the Father’s steadfast love and faithfulness, more one realizes it is the Holy Spirit Who has made the word of God so rich. It is this wondrous beauty of the Word which leads one to trust in the Bible, with the eyes of faith see in its every page the Author and Perfecter of all true believing.
Our Father in heaven, steadfast in love and great in faithfulness, thank You for the new life that is ours in Christ. Thank You for Your extravagant grace shown to us in Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, by Your Spirit, help us to walk in steadfast love and faithfulness, so that many will be drawn to new life in You. Forgive us for the times we have been lazy, ignorant, or rebellious. Let our lives be a polished mirror reflecting back to You Your steadfast love and faithfulness and then also reflecting these into the community of people among whom You have placed us. Amen.
https://youtu.be/8q3jmXn6HTQ?si=e2C69deNcHdTqUdo Love Divine
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