by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan
The Father’s Love: A Personal Encounter
Last week in my prayer closet, the Father let me know that He dotes on me. He shocked me, and I asked, “Father, You dote on me?”
Dote (verb) – To show excessive love, fondness, or admiration for someone; to cherish, adore, or lavish attention upon them.
Example Usage:
✔ A grandmother dotes on her grandchildren, always spoiling them with love and kindness.
✔ God dotes on His children, showering them with His steadfast love (Hesed) and faithfulness.
His answer to me was simple yet awe-inspiring. I sat and listened very closely to His voice. He gave me the following word of knowledge:
HESED—You know how you go about your day thinking of Me, praying to Me, talking to Me, and writing about Me? Yet, I think of you every second of every day. I dote on you because you are so precious to Me. You are funny to Me, and you are wonderfully made! I dote on you night and day! Wait, by tonight when we talk, you will have seen the evidence of My doting. Daughter, you have obeyed Me even when it has broken your heart! I am a proud Father. Do you recognize My Hesed? Endure to Persevere.
Tears welled in my eyes. The steadfast, faithful love of God is not just something we read about—it is something He wants us to experience intimately. The Father’s hesed love is relentless, unwavering, and personal. He sees us, He knows us, and He dotes on us!
📖 What is HESED?
Hesed (חֶסֶד) is a Hebrew word often translated as loving-kindness, steadfast love, mercy, faithfulness, or covenant loyalty. However, no single English word fully captures its depth. It is God’s unwavering, unbreakable love, rooted in His covenant with His people.
- Hesed is love that never fails
- Hesed is kindness beyond what is deserved
- Hesed is God’s faithfulness despite our shortcomings
- Hesed is a covenant, not just an emotion
📖 Biblical Examples of HESED
📖 Lamentations 3:22-23 – “Because of the Lord’s great love (HESED), we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” ✅ Truth: God’s hesed love sustains and renews us daily.
📖 Psalm 136:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love (HESED) endures forever.” ✅ Truth: God’s hesed is eternal—it is who He is, not just what He does.
📖 Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy (HESED) and to walk humbly with your God.” ✅ Truth: We are called to live out hesed, reflecting God’s steadfast love toward others.
🛡️ Living in HESED – What Does This Mean for Us?
1️⃣ God’s Love is Unshakable ✔ Even when we fail, His love remains. ✔ Hesed is not dependent on our performance—it’s anchored in God’s character.
2️⃣ Hesed Requires Us to Trust Him ✔ When life is uncertain, God’s hesed is our foundation. ✔ His covenant love means He will never abandon us.
3️⃣ We Are Called to Show HESED to Others ✔ Extend mercy, kindness, and faithfulness in our relationships. ✔ Love others as God loves us—unconditionally and steadfastly.
A Closing Encounter with HESED
Later that evening, after I had pondered HESED all day long, I came before Him again in my secret place. However, that night, Liam followed me into the camper where I go to enter the secret place. He wanted to play (ironically enough) with his army men, tanks, and helicopters.
As I tried to pray, I felt distracted by the noises of his play. Seeking privacy, I covered my head with my prayer shawl. After a few minutes, it got quiet, and I could only hear my own prayer language. Curious, I lifted my prayer shawl—and there was my son, sitting in front of me with the matching bag that I use to protect my shawl. The bag was on his head, just as my shawl covered mine. He was smiling and praying.
I looked at my eight-year-old for a moment, about to rebuke him for playing with the prayer shawl, but God stopped me. He said, “My Hesed.”
Nine years ago, God gave me the greatest gift—my pregnancy with Liam, despite complications. My baby survived and thrived. And now, here he was, sitting in my presence, simply because he loves me. And in that moment, God smiled down on me with His Hesed—reminding me that He had blessed me with a son who longs to pray, seek, and know Him, just as I seek Him.
Father, I am so grateful for Your Hesed. I am so thankful for Your teaching and Your great patience with me.
🔥 Reflection & Prayer on HESED
Father, thank You for Your unfailing hesed love. I do not deserve it, yet You pour it out abundantly. Help me to walk in Your steadfast love and to extend that same mercy and faithfulness to those around me. Let my life be a reflection of Your covenant love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
💡 Application & Challenge
✔ Take a moment to reflect—do you recognize God’s hesed in your life? ✔ Ask Him to show you His steadfast love in new ways. ✔ Challenge: This week, extend hesed to someone else—offer undeserved kindness, unwavering faithfulness, or unconditional love to someone in need.
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#HesedLove #GodsFaithfulness #UnfailingLove #SpiritualGrowth #BibleTruth #WalkingWithGod #MercyAndKindness #FaithJourney
The Bible Project explains HESED!
The Aging English Major 