But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress

and a refuge in the day of my distress.  O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God

who shows me steadfast love. (Psalm 59:16-17 ESV)

Steadfast love. Checed [kheh’-sed]. Lovingkindness. Devotion. Faithfulness.

When I am sapped of strength, God gives me what I need. I can recount His faithfulness in the past. His loyalty. His pursuing, unconditional love for me. God’s Word is abundant with examples of His checed. Rehearsing these verses encourages and lifts my weary soul.

It’s so important to remind ourselves of God’s chesed in the past. That’s yet another reason why devoting regular time in God’s Word is vital to nourishing our souls. Making a gratitude list is yet another way to remind ourselves of God’s steadfast, unfailing love.

God’s steadfast love is also in my present. I can sing praise to Him, and know that His love is there. He is there, Yahweh-Shammah.