Human Response 807: Think of God’s Steadfast Love

Psalm 48:9 We thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

It is a very helpful and uplifting idea that we respond to everyday issues by thinking of the Lord’s lovingkindness (chesed, faithful love). All during the day, every day and everywhere, we may go about our business thinking about God’s Love for us. And we may pause every so often to remember God and His mercies. And particularly, we gather together in the assembling of God’s people weekly to be reminded of the gospel of God’s grace in Christ.

Being in the temple is being in the presence of God on earth. The good news of the New Testament is that our body houses the presence of God, as a temple. Thus we may think of the love of God in Christ wherever we are all through the week. When we hear the Gospel in church we are encouraged to remind ourselves of the mercies of God in our daily quiet time with Him.

As sinners living in a sinful world we need to think of His lovingkindness as often as possible. So we practice the presence of God more and more as we go through the day. Like the air we breathe for our bodies, so also is the lovingkindness of God for our souls. Breathing such fresh air lifts the spirit and keeps us going. The more we consciously think of God the more His life unconsciously flows in and out of us. Hearing the Gospel helps us think better.