This morning I went on a walk. Spring time is good for that sort of thing. A good way to wake up in the winter is a warm cup of coffee by the fire. A good way to wake up in the spring time is a simple walk in the fresh air as the sun takes its place in the sky for the day.

As I was walking I thought of how everything we do centers around the sun. Our calendars and clocks are set to the pace of the sun. We make our plans from day to day assuming that time persists. Monday morning at 10:00 I will be in class. I say this with confidence because the sun always rises and the hour always comes. When I walk outside at 9:45 to go to class, I am not surprised to find light flooding the landscape. In fact, I assume that it will be light outside. I would be surprised if it weren’t.

This is how the love of our Father in heaven is toward us. It is called his “steadfast love” throughout the scriptures because it is steadfast. It does not waver or shake. It is certain. Yet, why do we always doubt it? Why do we doubt his wonderful, unshakeable love? His love is certain. All can say with certainty, “I am loved by God!” Those who trust in him can be confident in their hope. Hope just means confidence in what is to come. In the same way that the constant rising and setting of the sun gives me confidence in my schedule, the steadfast love of the Lord gives me hope. My future is certain because his love never fails.

Put your hope in the Lord and be confident in his love for you. For “the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love!” (Psalm 33:18)

Our soul waits for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.
(Psalm 33:20-22)