SCRIPTURES: Psalms 63:3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
Psalms 36:7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
Psalms 69:16 Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
Psalms 17:7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
Psalms 31:21 Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.
Isaiah 63:7I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
THOUGHT: The Hebrew word HESED, which appears over two hundred and forty (240) times in the Old Testament, is usually translated LOVING-KINDNESS, KINDNESS or MERCY, but sometimes translated GOODNESS or FAVOR. It indicates and includes love, kindness, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, and favorable acts toward others that are representative of the same. This characteristic of God’s nature goes along with His steadfastness, righteousness, truth and justice. Although there are many verses that speak of THE LOVINGKINDNESS OF THE LORD GOD [JEHOVAH EL HESED], the classic Scripture passage which discusses this characteristic is the 26 verses of Psalm 136 where this word is mentioned in every verse – “…for His MERCY endureth forever”. This passage describes GOD’S GOODNESS and His acts of creation, deliverance, redemption and protection as well as His blessing and provision for those who are called His people. As a child of God today, these and much more unfold for you of the LOVINGKINDNESS, GOODNESS and MERCY of GOD. However, you must also recognize that this is the character of God and as such we are made in His image and redeemed to reflect His nature. Therefore we too must emulate these characteristics of God.
PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father and JEHOVAH EL HESED [LORD GOD OF MERCY]: I thank You for the LOVINGKINDNESS that You have poured out in Creation and Redemption of mankind, especially which You have poured out to me. Also, I thank You for Your MERCY and GOODNESS, Divine Health and Healing, Provision and Protection. I receive all of Your provisions with thanksgiving and gratitude. As Your child, reborn in Your image, and with Your nature, it is my desire to be like You in LOVINGKINDNESS towards others and in every characteristic of Your Nature. I need and ask for a greater empowerment of Your Spirit towards this end, In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES: Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Titus 3:4-6 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; Nehemiah 9:17 And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
