Steadfast

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever." Psalm 118:1

God's love was here before the trial. I could see it tenderly written on the pages of my life. Everywhere I looked, I saw his love. A love that forgave sin and restored relationships. A love that blessed beyond what I deserved. A love that provided a hope and a remedy to my unrighteousness. 

God's love is current. It's here in the midst of the trial, supplying me with strength and peace, and even joy. Because of God's love, I can still smile. I can feel positive about my circumstances. I can shed a tear and laugh aloud in the same breath. I can see all the ways that the trial is good, all the blessings and protections he is supplying even in the midst of life altering change.

And God's love will be here later on, when the wound isn't so fresh and doesn't hurt quite as much. He has planned out each of my days, supplying me with all the tools I need to live in a way that honors him and touches others. There is no reason to dread or be afraid. There is no mountain ahead that he has not already conquered on my behalf. There will never be anything that can trump his love. 

God's love doesn't increase when I'm paying attention or decrease when I'm aloof. God's love does not change as I do. It doesn't flee when the mountain seems too high. It is not a fair weather friend. It doesn't get distracted or lazy or unattentive. It doesn't throw in the towel when I ignore it or even rail against it. It is steady. Unworried. Calm. True. A perfect remedy. 

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Romans 8:38-39