Four words link the heart to the anchor of God’s steadfast love;
Four words acknowledge God’s goodness in the midst of difficulty:
No matter what happens.
Thanksgiving — no matter what happens — was the challenge facing Lauren Chandler during days in the desert, in the crucible of her husband’s cancer, riding the daily waves of parenting and ministry. Gratitude is a current that runs through Steadfast Love, Lauren’s lifeline to her readers.
A navigational map as well as a ship’s log, the truth of Psalm 107 fills the sails of a tale that, like the psalm, is also about worship in the desert, a chain-shattering God, the affliction that results from faithless foolishness, and finding sea legs on a storm-tossed ship. Using Scripture to illuminate Scripture, Lauren traces the dots from Psalm 107 to passages as diverse as Israel’s wilderness wanderings, the tale of a prophet who marries a prostitute, and Jesus’ dealings with a thirsty woman, demonstrating the richness and depth, the commitment and jealous devotion of hesed, the Hebrew word for God’s steadfast love.
Another current running through Steadfast Love is the absolute necessity of community among those who believingly follow Christ. Lauren speaks of the faithful wounds of a friend who “valued my good more than she valued her standing with me.” She relates how a web of relationships in a community “made God tangible . . . put flesh on the unseen.”
Like the psalmist, we will find hope in the process of praising God for His continual deliverance and in remembering His response to our neediness. “Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of man!” is the theme of this thorough study of God’s Word, and it is Lauren Chandler’s testimony — a high view of God that trusts His leading and awaits His return.
//
This book was provided by B&H Publishing group in exchange for my review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Thanks for sharing this review, Michele! It sounds like a wonderful book. 🙂
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Hey Michele,
I came over on FaithnFriends today to find your post. Thanks for another great review!
And, I must tell you… this message is following me all week. Praise God more! Praise Him in the middle of it all. Thank you for echoing these words that I’ve been pondering and seeking to practice all week.
Hope you have a blessed weekend~
Melanie
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I am always encouraged by your testimony of living in dependence upon the faithfulness of God.
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This sounds like a great book. Thanks for the excellent review. I need to add this to a list of books I keep adding to!
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Blessings, Pam! Always nice to hear from you.
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This sounds like such an encouraging book—thanks for sharing! Stopping by from Faith Filled Fridays… blessings to you!
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Another good book to add to my list. I need to stop coming by because I will never get through all the good books you keep reviewing. Really, though, I love how thorough you are in your reviews and how well you provide us with just what we need to decide if the book is one we want to read or not. Happy weekend!
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Love the cover on this one -and your review. Thanks for sharing and spurning on my slight obsession with books! : ) Blessings on your week, Michele : )
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This book sounds so encouraging and uplifting. Thanks for sharing on Literacy Musing Mondays. I love that we are steadfast in God’s love and His salvation.
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I particularly enjoyed the nautical metaphor. Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday this week!
Tina
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