His Steadfast Love

      When I go out on walks in the early morning, I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of God's creation.  Right now, in our neck of the woods, we are enjoying the blooming of many types of trees as spring comes quickly to Florida.  Red and magenta blossoms show their color along with a host of birds.  Some of them are heading back north while others are busy building nests.  All around us is proof through nature that our God is a Master craftsman                 

As I lifted my voice in prayer to the Lord today, I read Psalm 33 which proclaims the steadfast love of the Lord.  Verse 5 tells us:  "He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord."  We see His love poured out in the variety of life around us that we sometimes overlook in our busy day.  Knowing that He loves righteousness should make our hearts glad for this is what our poor world needs right now

     In verses 6-9, the Psalmist describes God's great creation and sovereignty over it all:  "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host.  He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; He puts the deeps in storehouses.  Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him!  For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm."  Who but God could do this?  All of the breathtaking scenery around this great land of ours was made by a loving Creator.  He is the master artist. From the delicacy of a butterfly's wing to the beauty of a flower, God made all that we are privileged to see.  Sadly, many dismiss the notion of God even though we have evidence all around us of His ability to create life.  Man is the crown of His work, but man chose to rebel against God in the Garden.  Today, we see evidence of that plainly as we hear about murders, riots, and lawlessness.  Yet, despite man's rebellion, God is still sovereign over all the earth.

     Looking at verses 13-19 we see the Lord observing us from heaven.  He sees all the children of man for He fashioned their hearts and observes their deeds.  That's a scary thought if your life is being lived in rebellion to God, but a joyous thought if you belong to Him.  He knows us intimately from the beginning of our lives until the day He calls us home.

     As the Psalmist continues, he describes how kings trust in their armies, warriors in their strength and others in the strength of their war horse, but none of these can rescue man.  When a person comes to realize their sin and repents before God trusting in Jesus Christ as the risen Savior, that person passes from death to eternal life. They receive a new heart with which to enjoy and glory in the Lord forever.  Verse 18 says: "Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love, that He may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine."  This is what the Lord wants for us that we might find joy in this life and have the certainty of heaven when our body dies.

     When our lives are hidden in Jesus Christ and we trust Him as our Savior, there is a greater depth of beauty in this world around us that opens up as we draw closer to Him.  His steadfast love will keep us even in the times of trial that come to all men.  Just as springtime comes with fresh blossoms and new foliage on the trees, so our lives open up to enjoy this life more abundantly when we give our hearts to Christ.  May this be our prayer today (vs. 22) "Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in You."  Selah!