Unfailing

Unfailing

Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.

TIM WAS HIS GRANDMOTHER’S ONLY GRANDCHILD, and Gram was devoted to him. When he was a newborn, she stayed with her daughter for two weeks. Each night, Gram would sleep with baby Tim’s cradle placed next to the bed, waking to feed him his bottle at 2 a.m. In the morning, she’d return him to his mother while she went to work. They’d repeat the process every evening, and she cherished that time.

Over the years, her love and attention were unfailing. As a child, Tim spent a couple of summers at her home. She was strict but fair, and quick to pick up on any shenanigans. In the evening when she came in to say good night, she’d always check the temperature of the TV. If it was still warm, she’d know he hadn’t shut it off when she asked, thereby losing the privilege of a TV in his room.

In high school, when she found out he was struggling in geography, she obtained an extra copy of the textbook and tutored him. On Sunday nights, he’d go to her home and work for a few hours on homework. She kept in close contact with his teacher to check on his progress.

In every circumstance, Gram demonstrated to Tim how loved, how worthy of time and effort, and how valued he was. Even when she gently scolded him for looking like a hippopotamus when he yawned without covering his mouth, she exuded love. Years later, he still talks about Gram and how much she invested in her relationship with him. He knew her love was unfailing because she proved it over and over and over again.

Similarly, our understanding of God’s character—including his love—is what gives us confidence. It’s what allows us to trust him. When something is unfailing, it’s steadfast. Endless. Completely dependable. Those qualities don’t rely on any merit of our own; they are inherent to the Creator of the universe. He never gets tired or weary, and his love is inexhaustible. What a miracle that level of grace and mercy is to us. What a source of hope we have in him.

Lord, help us to look beyond our circumstances and find our hope in your unfailing love. Amen.

-Kristin

One Good Step: Thank God for his unfailing love.