My heart is steadfast, O God!
I will sing and make melody with all my being!
2 Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!
3 I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
I will believe it when I see it. That is what we hear when someone doubts whether someone will keep their promise. They also say it when we talk about God. You may encounter this at Thanksgiving Dinner from a family member. This cynicism is becoming more prevalent as so many once revered figures have fallen to scandal or been canceled for some other reason. People simply do not rely on or count on anyone. Except themselves and their feelings that is. The psalmist has a better idea. The writer makes bold claims to be steadfast, one of God’s greatest attributes. The writer promises thanks and praise as well. The skeptical person of today could ask the stinging question, “Who can possibly deserve that kind of praise?” Who indeed?
The steadfast love of the Lord should evoke a steadfast response in those who have experienced his love, grace, and provision in their walk with him. The problem is that few actually walk with him. We can say we will be steadfast in our love for him but our own appetites will get in between and our love will become quite fluid and slow. It is a call for us to really ask ourselves the question, “What has God ever done for me?” After about an hour of listing them, you may want to echo the words of the psalmist…
And give thanks to God.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church