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There is a story of a shepherd named Gyges who found a magic gold ring which had the power to turn him invisible. He discovered its power quite by accident when he was sitting with some fellow shepherds and twisted the ring so that its bezel was to the inside of his hand. Twisting it back again, he re-appeared. Then human nature took over. Gyges realized that with this power he could go anywhere and do anything, and so he moved into the royal court, seduced the queen, attacked, and murdered the king, and took over the throne.

When Plato the Greek philosopher wrote of this fable in The Republic, he was making a simple point: we would quickly discover the true character of a person if that person had the power to turn invisible. We find out what kind of people we are, in other words, by noticing how we behave when no one else can see us.

The word “character” goes back to the word for a stamp which leaves an imprint, like the dies used to make coins. Your character is the very shape of your inner life (your thoughts, motives, values, impulses, responses), which is revealed in the shape of your outer life (your actions, behaviors, speech, relationships). And then this sobering thought: the shape of your character may be stamped on someone else’s character, for good or for ill. Is character an issue for public leaders, or athletic heroes or parents? How can it not be?

Your character is never defined by one or two significant righteous deeds or one or two failings. It is the pattern of your life that is the shape or the imprint of your life.

It is ironic, isn’t it, that at someone’s funeral (when he or she really is invisible!), his or her character is often revealed. People tend to polish the halo of the deceased, and perhaps that’s a natural way of giving someone else the benefit of the doubt (especially when his or her last chance is up). But in and through all the conversations, in the eulogies and the sympathy cards, there is an unveiling of character. The form, the shape, of a life is revealed.

What does “good character” look like? Here is a fine list of character qualities for any person living anywhere in the world at any time: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control. These are what the Bible calls “the fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23), and they describe a Christ-like life. “fruit” meant the final result, the spectacular gift, which comes from the presence of God’s Spirit in our lives.

There are many ways of describing Christ likeness. (A superb description comes from the Gospel of John which says Jesus was full of grace and truth.) But I wonder, if any of us had spent a month with Jesus, or a week, or even a day, might we not say that we witnessed in his character love, joy, peace, patience, kindness…?

A lot of people belonging to different religious denominations are generally, “People who knew a lot about the Bible, but their knowledge rarely left their heads.” Knowledge of God, his Word, and the gospel should not just hang out in our minds but change our hearts and our actions as well.

Bob Goff, an injustice fighter, philanthropist, and author has an interesting idea about applying God’s Word to your life: Do not just participate in Bible studies but in Bible “doings.”

I love that concept, but not because I am advocating to stop studying God’s Word. What I am saying is do not stop there. I know many people who whenever I paraphrase certain Bible passages, they could quote back to me, the actual Biblical phrase and accurate citations of the book, chapter, and verse. And yet they fail to see the practical application of the Word of God in their daily lives, until pointed out to them in regular and continuous déjà vu moments.

God encourages us over and over to not just read his Word and know what it says but to put it into practice. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). This means obeying God, living out our faith, and sharing the gospel.

Jesus’ story of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew chapter 7 is interesting because he does not just say knowing God’s Word is like building your life on a rock. What he says is, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (verse 24).

Let us be real: We are sinners who cannot do this perfectly. We will often fail at living out God’s Word. Thank goodness his love does not depend on our actions and that his grace covers us in forgiveness, motivating us to continue on.

We acknowledge our transgressions, And our sin is always before us. Against You, You only, have we sinned, And done this evil in Your sight- That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge (Psalms 51:3-4).

We look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works (Titus 2:13-14).

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us complete in every good work to do His will, working in us what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:20-21).

Psa. 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. Some of us are walking through some dark valleys right now. And in those dark valleys, it seems, well … that God isn’t in that place. It seems that He’s left us alone. Back when that was written – shepherds would defend their sheep to the death. With their rod and with their staff, they’d fight off wild animals and robbers – even if it cost them their lives.

The sheep knew that. That’s why they didn’t fear evil. That’s why the sight of their shepherd, comforted them. No matter how dark the valley was.

Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

A feeling of peace, stability, and belonging. A burden lifted off my shoulders. A sense of direction and purpose. I used to feel all of these things when I prayed to God. I felt like he was right there beside me, walking with me, holding my hand. I sensed him through all that I did and all that I saw. And then, after a stage in my life of complete instability, all those feelings vanished. There was so much change at one time that I simply went numb. It felt like my soul had gone blind and I started to question everything. Where did God go? Did God leave me? Was God ever really there to begin with…?

It is such a blessing from God that he gives us those senses to experience him and his love. However, Hebrews 11:1 reminds us not to rely on those feelings: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Even when we can’t see God, scripture calls us to have faith anyway. God want us to have confidence in who he tells us that he is, rather than what we can perceive of our circumstances. This includes our feelings.

Even when we don’t feel God, he is still right there. He is with us. He strengthens us. He holds us up by his own hand. With God’s help, we can know this truth in our hearts, even if we cannot at that moment emotionally connect to it. Let’s pray.

Dear Father in Heaven,

Thank you for your steadfastness and continual presence in our lives. Sometimes, we can feel you right next to us. But sometimes, it is hard to know that you are there at all. Sometimes life gets so difficult that our hearts just cannot feel you through the pain. Sometimes you take away those feelings so that we may seek you even more fervently. I pray today, Father, that I may rely not on my own feelings but rather on your love for me. May I rely on your Word to be the truth that rules my life over my own understanding. Help me to see you and believe in your character even though my feelings may tell me otherwise. You are kind, you are good, and you are gracious. You are both all-powerful and all-loving. You care deeply for me and for my loved ones. Be with me as I live out these truths no matter what my circumstances are today, Lord, as we walk forward together. I love you and pray all of these things in your Son’s amazing name, Amen.

When Jesus Christ taught us about how we should behave towards those who wants to harm us, He was quoting from the book of Lamentations chapter 3. Christ said in Mathew 5:33; But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

Lamentations chapter 3 goes thus: I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of the Lord’s wrath. He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness rather than light; indeed, he has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long. He has made my skin and my flesh grow old and has broken my bones. He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship. He has made me dwell in darkness like those long dead. He has walled me in so I cannot escape; he has weighed me down with chains.

Even when I call out or cry for help, he shuts out my prayer. He has barred my way with blocks of stone; he has made my paths crooked. Like a bear lying in wait, like a lion in hiding, he dragged me from the path and mangled me and left me without help. He drew his bow and made me the target for his arrows. He pierced my heart with arrows from his quiver. I became the laughingstock of all my people; they mock me in song all day long. He has filled me with bitter herbs and given me gall to drink. He has broken my teeth with gravel; he has trampled me in the dust. I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. So, I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the Lord.” I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him. Let him bury his face in the dust— there may yet be hope. Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him and let him be filled with disgrace. For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone. To crush underfoot all prisoners in the land, to deny people their rights before the Most High, to deprive them of justice— would not the Lord see such things? Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? Why should the living complain when punished for their sins?

Let us examine our ways and test them and let us return to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven and say: “We have sinned and rebelled and you have not forgiven. “You have covered yourself with anger and pursued us; you have slain without pity. You have covered yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get through. You have made us scum and refuse among the nations. “All our enemies have opened their mouths wide against us. We have suffered terror and pitfalls, ruin and destruction.” Streams of tears flow from my eyes because my people are destroyed. My eyes will flow unceasingly, without relief, until the Lord looks down from heaven and sees. What I see brings grief to my soul because of all the women of my city.

Those who were my enemies without cause hunted me like a bird. They tried to end my life in a pit and threw stones at me; the waters closed over my head, and I thought I was about to perish. I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.” You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.” You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life. Lord, you have seen the wrong done to me. Uphold my cause! You have seen the depth of their vengeance, all their plots against me. Lord, you have heard their insults, all their plots against me— what my enemies whisper and mutter against me all day long. Look at them! Sitting or standing, they mock me in their songs. Pay them back what they deserve, Lord, for what their hands have done. Put a veil over their hearts, and may your curse be on them! Pursue them in anger and destroy them from under the heavens of the Lord.

Our world is filled with brokenness. Relationships breaking down, failing systems of government, violence and war, sickness and disease and so much more are indicators that things in this world are not the way they are supposed to be. There is a longing to make sense of our world and to make it right.

When everything looks like it could fail, is there anything or anyone that can give us that sense of security and make our broken world right? The answer can be found in God’s unfailing love.

What Is Unfailing Love?

God’s unfailing love or steadfast love is who He is. In 1 John 4:8 it says that “God is love” – it is His very nature. This steadfast, unfailing love can only be met in God Himself who is love. His love for us is clearly demonstrated through the death and resurrection of Jesus, for when we were still far away and enemies of God, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). This love is what makes reconciliation with God possible, it is what has defeated the power of sin and death and it empowers us to live with that same love today.

The steadfast and faithful love of God remains and endures, even when we do not. This is seen time and time again in the Bible where God’s people fell into sin and turned their backs on God, yet God continued to stand by His people. We all fail and make mistakes against ourselves, each other and ultimately against God. As the psalmist David wrote after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge” (Psalm 51:4).

In 1 John 4:19, it says “we love because He first loved us.” We can love others, but we are still fallible sinners who get things wrong and hurt people at times. However, God’s love does not change for He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The greatest demonstration of God’s love for the world is found in the person of Jesus and His work on the cross.

The Cross as the Ultimate Unfailing Act of Love

“God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

This unfailing love is demonstrated through Jesus dying on the cross for all of mankind.

It was only God Himself who could deal with unfaithful and sinful people and the power of sin and death in our broken world. Jesus loves us with an unfailing love because He is love.

It is up to every individual whether or not they will turn away from their sin and believe and trust in Jesus, who out of love for us in our fallen, helpless, sin-filled state, died for each one of us. His blood paid the penalty that our sins deserved so that we would not have to experience the full and just wrath of God who hates sin.

We are free when we receive what He did for us on the cross through repenting of our sin and following Him with our life. Jesus is the greatest hope for our broken world. So, what does the broken body of Jesus means for our broken world?

1. There Is Hope Now and Always

When we repent of our sin and put our trust in Jesus, we no longer face the just penalty of what our sins deserve as Jesus paid the price at the cross. We are promised the Holy Spirit which will be with us forever to help us on earth, and we have the hope of eternal life with God forever, so death is not the end of our story. We do not need to fear abandonment or that God will let us down. He promises to be with us always and His love never fails.

2. The Brokenness Found in This Life Will Not Be Forever

Jesus defeated the power of sin and death on the cross. God will execute justice in His final judgement and evil will end. When we trust in Jesus, we have the hope of eternal life where we will be with Him forever. His broken body has made a way for us to have glorious resurrection bodies and the temporary pain we endure in this world will be no more. One day, Jesus will return to usher in a new heaven and earth where there will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain and He will make all things new (Revelation 21:4-5).

3. We Can Find Forgiveness and Peace in Jesus

We often shoulder the burdens of our own sin and the anxieties and frustrations of others. Yet Jesus takes that from us. We were not meant to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Any shame or guilt we feel can be confessed before God because Jesus has reconciled us to Himself. With the help of the Holy Spirit we can live a life that is holy and pleasing to Him. When we stumble and fall, we are caught in the immeasurable grace found in Jesus and He helps us to turn away from sin.

Prayer and Meditation on the Truth of God’s Unfailing Word

As we look around us and see the brokenness in our own lives, our communities, our nation and our world, it is an opportunity to pray to God whose unfailing love, through Jesus, heals those who are brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3).

We can come to Him knowing that He hears us and that “because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail” (Lamentations 3:22). Let us reflect on the wonderful truth of God’s unfailing love by reading the following verses:

“But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation” (Psalm 13:5).

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life” (Psalm 143:8).

“May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant” (Psalm 119:76).

“No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you” (Psalm 33:16-22).

“I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39).

 

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued my faithfulness to you” (Jeremiah 31:3).

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1-2).

Reference: https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-does-gods-unfailing-love-look-like-for-a-broken-world.html?utm_source=today%27s+topical+bible+study&utm_campaign=today%27s+topical+bible+study+-+biblestudytools.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=3251901&bcid=514199aa8798cfa24838601a33c13bfe&recip=529204930+