How Great Thou Art

How Great Thou Art:

"I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me." (Psalms 13:5-6)

Unfailing love. What makes this love so undeniably unique and genuine? Well, the Hebrew word used for "unfailing love" here is one of the most paramount words in the Old Testament. This word is primarily used to depict an act of beneficence, tenderheartedness, grace, or LOVE of course.

One factor of this word that starkly stood out to me is the fact that the essence of the love that is doled out is most often set apart for those with whom the giver has already developed a favourable relationship (i.e. best friends, close relatives, or family members). However, in a notable amount of cases found in the Bible, the one who demonstrates the unfailing love often treats the one who is object to it as though a friendship or close relationship had already been thriving long before.

In other words, it is more likely for one to take the time out of his day to do a favour for his brother or best friend than for some stranger whom he's never met before. This is not always the case, however. Sometimes, a man can be so moved with compassion towards another that he goes the extra mile to show that person a genuine act of kindness.

This is the unfailing type of pure love that David wrote of in Psalms 13:5. This is the kind of incorruptible love in which we can invest our trust.

Now of course humans have their faults, therefore the only One who has a truly perfected level of unfailing love is the Lord God Himself. One remarkable truth to note is that even though we as fallible humanity easily slip in and out of faithfulness in our relationship with God, His genuine love for us never runs out. His love never decreases when we sin, never increases when we attempt to be "better Christians," and it will forever be generously cascaded over us in a steady, drenching manner. This is simply the nature of who He is! He is God, and He is Love!

Oh Heavenly Father, we lift our hands in adoration and praise! We're in awe of You! We're amazed by Your beauty, patience, majesty, and splendour. There truly is none like You! You have filled our hearts completely with Your incredible unfailing love, and now we come to You bubbling over with joy and celebration. Each and every one of our renewed hearts "rejoices in your salvation" just as it's written in Your Book (Psalms 13:5).

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

The word used in Psalms 13:5 for "salvation" contains another terrific meaning. This word denotes help, liberation, freedom, salvation, and victory.

This word is primarily used in situations of saving people from affliction. This could mean that people need saving from widespread issues, countrywide crises, or other popularly plagued problems. In another sphere of perplexity, people may be in need of saving from physical ailment, mental anguish, spiritually poisonous weeds in their soul, or any other personal affair for that matter.

This is where God's saving mercies come in and comprehensively turn every potential disaster into a perfectly crafted miracle. God uses even the worst of every situation to make the best of each one of our battles. Not even a trace of hardship is unforgotten, but rather revamped and revolutionised for your benefit! There's victory in salvation!

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Hallelu Yah! Praise the Lord! God, You are so good! Your grace is never changing, Your mercies never ceasing, and Your love never ending. How wonderful You are! Oh, how great and greatly to be praised Thou art!

The day is coming, my dear friends, when all sorrows shall be swept away, and the Lord Jesus Christ will take us home Himself. His compassionate arms will gird and gather us up in His everlasting glory. Oh what a grand day we all await with eager anticipation!

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)

The things of this world are readily fading. Hold onto what is true, hold onto what is sure, and reach for the mighty hands of God stretched out before you. He alone is truth, He alone never changes, and He welcomes you home - home in His arms.

"God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil?" (Numbers 23:19)

Go in awestruck wonder and gratefulness today. Remember that the Lord delights in a thankful heart. Let Him shine His goodness over you. Hallelu Yah! How great is our God!

-The Introverted Evangelist