October 17

Today's Reading: Psalm 8:1-9

Read the passage and answer these two questions:

1. What doe this passage teach me about God and His attributes?
2. How should that understanding about the nature of God impact the way that I live my life?

My observations from Psalm 6:
I want to spend a little more time today to dig into the idea of God's "steadfast love" (v. 4). That phrase is the translation of a single Hebrew word - hesed. In other English translations it is often translated “love and faithfulness,” “unfailing love,” “faithful love,” “steadfast love,” or “loyal love,”

 Hesed is not merely an emotion or feeling but involves action on behalf of someone who is in need. It describes a sense of love and loyalty that inspires merciful and compassionate behavior toward another person. Hesed surpasses ordinary kindness and friendship. It is the inclination of the heart to show “amazing grace” to the one who is loved. It is foundational to the gospel.

I am completely amazed at the idea that God looks at me like that. He doesn't merely have feelings of love and compassion for me - even though I don't deserve that at all - but He took action to extend His amazing grace to me. That is a good thing to think about whenever I'm feeling down.