Worship More and Worry Less: 30 Days of PraiseНамуна

Love. It’s a word that stirs up different images and feelings for each of us. A word often defined by culture. For me, the word “love” evokes a warm feeling in my heart. Security, acceptance, provision, and desire. To be loved is to be desired.

Is this what David meant when he said that God’s “love” was better than life (Psalm 63:3)? Our English translation mars the meaning of the ancient word David himself penned when he wrote Psalm 63. David wrote: “Because your chesed is better than life, my lips will glorify you.”

Chesed is defined as goodness, kindness, mercy, loving kindness, and faithfulness.

Sometimes we think we can earn somebody’s love—even God’s love. But mercy cannot be earned nor kindness. Chesed is not earned. It simply flows out of the heart of the giver. It’s in His DNA. It is who He is.

When life gets hard, tumbling out of control, and one bad thing happens after another, what are your first thoughts of God? Do you immediately think He’s punishing you, or He is angry? Does it seem He is withholding His love?

What would happen to those thoughts if you remembered that His “love” is kindness, mercy, and faithfulness? It makes me want to give Him all my praise.

Journal

Write down the difference between “love” as you perceive it and the definitions for chesed. Then write a prayer of praise and worship for God’s chesed.