No one can run so far that God will not come looking for us, finding us, freeing us, healing us, and then carrying us home with Him.

⁴ “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? ⁵ And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders ⁶ and goes home.” Luke 15:4-6

As we continue our study of love, today we look at the steadfast love of the Lord,

² Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
    test my heart and my mind.
³ For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
    and I walk in your faithfulness. Psalm 26:2-3

“Steadfast,” “faithful” and “unfailing” are all synonyms. In fact, let’s read this passage from the NIV,

² Test me, Lord, and try me,
    examine my heart and my mind;
³ for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
    and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

David wasn’t afraid to have God examine his heart. Why not? I believe it is because he knew that God already knew what was in his heart–and loved him anyway! It’s a great truth for us to know. David was determined to do things God’s way, all the while trusting in the Lord to give him the desire and the power to see it through no matter how many times it took. Here is what James had to say on the matter of steadfastness,

¹² Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Paul said something similar,

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

And Peter did, too,

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness [perseverance], and steadfastness [perseverance] with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. ⁸ For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8

Peter would not have asked us to do something that was impossible. Granted, it is impossible to do it on our own and in our own power. We were never designed like that; we were designed to partner with the Holy Spirit in everything. It is in His strength and by His guidance that we “increase in these qualities.”

We can walk steadfastly because God walks with us steadfastly. He knows our hearts and guides us accordingly. We can trust Him. Let’s ask Him everything; there’s nothing too small or insignificant. If we get into the habit of checking with the Lord for small things, we will automatically check with Him for big things. And, we have this promise, ““One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much“ (Luke 16:10). One more verse:

¹³ if we are faithless,
    he remains faithful,
    for he cannot disown himself [deny His own nature].
2 Timothy 2:13

Abba, we love You all the more because of Your faithfulness to us. Even when we don’t earn it or deserve it, “Faithful” is who You are. In fact, Your name is “Faithful and True” (Revelation 19:11). In our quest to be like You, may we be more determined than ever to be faithful to Your call on our lives. Amen.