Day 140: Covenant Kindness

20 May, 2019

The Daily Word: Monday, May 20th, 2019
1 Samuel 26:1-28:25
John 11:1-54
Psalm 117:1-2
Proverbs 15:22-23
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! – Ps 117:1-2

God’s kindness is different than man’s. The kindness another man (or woman) shows you is imperfect: it is well-intentioned, but often based on convenience rather than sacrifice. God’s kindness, however is perfect! It is based on sacrifice, and never convenience. God’s kindness is based on definitive, sacrificial love!

The Hebrew word for “merciful kindness” in Psalm 117 (above) is checed (Strong’s H2617). Checed is covenant kindness: “unfailing love, loyal love, devotion, kindness, often based on a prior relationship, especially a covenant relationship.”[1] God’s kindness towards you doesn’t depend on what you do or don’t do; it depends on the covenant you’ve established with Him! As long as your covenant with God is established, His kindness over your life is active.

If you are in covenant with God through Jesus Christ, there is merciful kindness waiting for you at the foot of the Cross! God is good to you: not because you deserve it, but because He loves you more than you could ever imagine.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for checed: covenant kindness. I don’t deserve Your mercy; but You’ve given it to me all the same. I am so grateful, in Jesus’ name!

Archives
See commentary from this day in 2014.
See commentary from this day in 2015.
See commentary from this day in 2016.
See commentary from this day in 2017.
See commentary from this day in 2018.

© Michael D. White, 2019. All rights reserved.


[1] *Kohlenberger/Mounce Concise Hebrew-Aramaic Dictionary of the Old Testament, eds. J. R. Kohlenberger and W. D. Mounce (electronic version 2.4, Accordance Bible program), see entry (chesed).