“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).

The sovereign God of all the ages speaks through Jeremiah the prophet as He reaches out to the nation of Judah who was still rejecting Him. God speaks of His great love for His people. It is an everlasting love. It is a love that is manifested by His lovingkindness. The aspect of God’s lovingkindness is one of the great themes of the Old Testament. The word “lovingkindness” is the Hebrew word chesed. This precious word is translated in several ways. It is translated “mercy” 149 times. It is translated “kindness” 40 times. It is translated “lovingkindness” 30 times. In a precious way it speaks of God’s covenantal love that is loyal and kind. How wonderful to belong to such an amazing God!

For today: I rest secure in the arms of my great and loving God. How about you?