It’s always a thrill to meet someone famous. Whether a noted preacher, a politician, an entertainer, or a star writer of weekly devotionals! Well, some of the above. I remember meeting Fred Rogers of children’s television fame. We were at a two day conference in New York City. The first day I went over to him and introduced myself, sharing how much my boys loved his television program. He was so gracious. The next morning, I see Mr. Rogers go out of his way, come right up to me, saying, ‘Good morning, John. How are you today?’ I think I responded, but I was in major shock. So, I’m not sure.

At another time, I met presidential candidate Jimmy Carter on the campaign trail. Then my wife and I attended a rally at Holland, Michigan, hosting President George W. Bush. One of the thousands in attendance, but what a charismatic moment and person.

Shaking hands with the Yankee Clipper, Joe DiMaggio, at Newark International Airport, was a biggie for this lifelong Yankee fan. I was thanking him for visiting me in the hospital when I was two years old and had polio. All the other children and I were in that Sister Kenny infantile paralysis ward that day. Somebody stole the autographed baseball Joe gave each of us. Greedy meanie.

Standing in a long line, headed by a big, burly, tough-looking security guard, I was greeting and talking with Pastor and author Max Lucado at his San Antonio Oak Hills Church. He said that he envied me for all the trips my wife and I had taken. Green-eyed Max Lucado? Jealous of me? Who’d a thunk!

Well, whether you’ve ever met anyone famous or not, if you’re a believer in Jesus, then you’ve come face to face with the very best. Famous beyond measure. Par excellence. The head of the class. Okay, already–you get to the point. Proverbs 14: 22 says this–‘Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness’. Let me introduce you to’steadfast love’ and ‘faithfulness’. Nice to meet you. Quite the thrill.

‘Steadfast love’ is one special word in biblical Hebrew. It doesn’t have an easy translation into the English language. So, we come up with other words and phrases that try to capture its meaning. Nice to know who you’re greeting, isn’t it? Of course. So ‘steadfast love’ is a commitment, a promise made and kept, standing alongside someone no matter what, immovable caring. On and on, we could go, but I imagine you get the gist.

When you welcome Jesus into your life, He gives you His ‘steadfast love’. Nothing flighty, never leaving you for a younger, better-looking, richer convert. His love stands tall when everything and everyone else has fallen down and out of line. He never will. Again, promises made, promises kept. ‘Steadfast love’.

In addition, God is faithful. He may have every reason to get rid of us, to remove us from His family, but that’s not how He is or what He does. He yearns for us to come to Him in repentance for forgiveness and new life. He’ll stay with you through thick and thin. He stands up for us. And by us. Is true blue. ‘Faithfulness’.

When I look back on my life, I’ve given Jesus tons of reasons to up and leave. To wash His hands of me. But He never did. He was, and is, patient, even with the likes of me. And you, too. Good news? The very best.

I hope you’ve enjoyed meeting ‘steadfast love’ and ‘faithfulness’. They’re our BFF’s–best friends forever! Better than any VIP you may run across. Much better.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your lasting love and faithfulness. Amen.