📖 “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands...”
Exodus 34:6–7
This image carries such holy tenderness.
The posture of the boy, folded in on himself — the weariness, the shame, the ache we all know so well — contrasted with the father’s gentle reach, his eyes soft, his hand open. It’s a visual echo of what chesed truly is: not just kindness, but kindness that stays.
חֶסֶד (chesed) — steadfast, covenantal love.
Not earned.
Not dependent on worthiness.
Not withdrawn when brokenness is exposed.
This kind of love is foreign to the world… yet native to the heart of God.
📖 “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands...” — Exodus 34:6–7 (NKJV)
The Hebrew here for mercy is chesed. Isn’t that stunning? 🤔
It’s what Hosea embodied when he bought back Gomer. What Jesus showed Peter after his denial. What the prodigal son found waiting in his father's arms. This is the scandalous, unrelenting, grace-drenched love of our God.
This image reminds me of the times we, too, have folded in on ourselves — ashamed, afraid, unsure how to return — only to find His hand still extended. Still welcoming. Still whispering, “My love hasn’t changed.”
📖And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)
This is not human. This is divine.
Reflection:
Where in your life have you experienced chesed — that undeserved, loyal love of God? 🤔
Are there any areas where you’re still trying to “earn” God’s love rather than receiving it freely? 🤔
Who in your life needs to experience a reflection of God’s chesed through your kindness? 🤔
Life Application:
Affirmation:
You are so dearly loved, even when you feel most undeserving. That is the beauty of chesed. Let it quiet your striving and call you home again. 🤍
Creative Prompt:
Create a mixed-media collage or painting using torn paper or layered textures. Let each layer represent a time when God's chesed held you — even when you were hiding, hurting, or wandering. Include the Hebrew word חֶסֶד in the background as a holy reminder of His steadfast presence.
Closing Prayer:
Abba Father,
Thank You for loving me with a love that doesn’t flinch when I fail.
For remaining faithful when I wander.
For reaching for me when I curl inward in shame.
Help me to receive Your chesed — not just with my mind, but with my heart.
Teach me to embody it toward others, especially when it's hardest.
Thank You for being the God who never walks away.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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