As far back as I can remember, I’ve lived with the feeling that at any moment the other shoe will drop…right on my old noggin. A straight shot. On target. With accompanying pain and suffering. Where does this come from? I’ve got a few ideas.

But shouldn’t a believer have freedom from the dreads that I feel? What’s wrong with me that Jesus seems unable to cure?

But when the fog lifts a bit, I see that God is so good to me. Just me? What do you say? After all, you carry your own extra baggage. Whether medical issues, family disintegration, financial hot water, political faceoffs and blowups, or the double troubles that plague you. So, can you say that God is good, and mean it?

Despite too many reasons why He should bid me a not-so-fond farewell, God hangs around, never letting go, never giving up. He floods my heart with love, happily forgiving, whether I feel He has or not, while joyfully being mine forever, knowing full well what a roller-coaster faith I often ride on.

Can you get the courage to say that God is good even when your house of cards collapses? Especially then. Then it’s time to pull out a fragment of one verse from Psalm 32 and hang on to your Lord–‘…but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord’ (v. 10).

‘Steadfast love’ in biblical Hebrew is the word ‘chesed’. It’s a big word in your Old Testament. ‘Chesed’ almost defies definition when moving from Hebrew to English. Here’s one I read from Michael Card’s book ‘Inexpressible’– it’s when someone from whom you expect nothing turns around and gives you everything. Say that again. Expect nothing. Receive everything. That’s God’s love. ‘Chesed’. Told you it was a biggie!

When you feel like God is about to let go of you, remember that His love never will. When troubles box you in, remind yourself that nothing can keep out God’s surrounding love. You become gratefully hemmed in by His goodness. Protected by His giving heart. Blessed beyond measure. Deserving none yet receiving all His goodness and love. ‘Chesed’.

I can’t tell you how much this verse has helped me. Actually, I have! Why not trust the Lord with whatever rudely disrupts your day? Try it. You’ll like it. ‘It’s the truth. It’s actual. Everything is satisfactual’. God’s ‘chesed’ is much more than any ‘Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah!’ we come face to face with.

After all, Jesus is always with us. Always. ‘…his steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.’

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for all your promises made and kept. Amen.