Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, – Deuteronomy 7:9
In theologian J.I. Packer’s book Knowing God, he encourages believers to know God by knowing about Him and what He does and having a personal knowledge of Him in the context of a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. The Hebrew root word for know is “yada,” used some 950 times in the Old Testament, meaning to understand, grasp, or comprehend. It also includes realization and following. From today’s verse, you see that God wants you to know that He is faithful in His love and promises toward you. Can you comprehend that? Have you realized it in your own life? How does it motivate you as you follow Him?
When you know that God is faithful, you see that He is unchanging, reliable, stable, firm, trustworthy, steady, permanent, consistent, and dependable. He is faithful even when you are not. His love is steadfast. It stays the course, it never gives up, it is always available, it is unconditional. His steadfast love is unrivaled, loyal, liberating, and astonishingly rich. He loves even when you do not. His faithfulness and His steadfast love are the very core of His character.
The faithfulness and steadfast love of God are the underpinnings of Martin Luther’s great hymn: “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing, our helper he amid the flood, of mortal ills prevailing.” God’s faithfulness and love are meant to be experienced. Pray that such an “experiential“ revival of personally knowing the love and faithfulness of God would grip America.
Today’s Verse: Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
