"I jump into a sand pit for a living"
Psalm 107 again
Unfailing loveLet them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Psalm 107: 8
There are so many things that we can say about God’s love. That it is unfailing is one of the best.
In the world of sport there is constant change. Great champions have days when they fail. Even at elite level, most people lose as often as they win. To have something (or someone) who is unchanging and unfailing is a great encouragement.
The Hebrew word is hesed, a word that Bible translators have often found difficult to translate satisfactorily. I discovered that hesed even has its own website, hesed.com. It offers the following definition: “the consistent, ever-faithful, relentless, constantly-pursuing, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained, furious love of our Father God!”
Sometimes we feel undeserving of God’s love (we are!). Sometimes we think we have to work hard, be especially “good”, to earn God’s love (we don’t). The words of the definition quoted above speak of a God with love bursting out, a God wanting to share his love.
In our world we often suffer from insecurity, needing to feel that others like us or are impressed with us. If we grasp how much and how unconditionally God loves us, we are set free from the need to prove ourselves. As sportspeople we are set free to compete, train and do life for his glory.