The Hebrew word pronounced “hesed” (חֶסֶד) occurs around 250 times in the Old Testament. It’s a loaded word used mainly to describe the powerful unconditional love of God. It’s translated “love and faithfulness,” “unfailing love,” “faithful love,” “steadfast love,” and “loyal love”. Hesed captured the essence of “amazing grace.”

While only God’s hesed is perfect and limitless, people can express a measure of it too. But hesed goes deeper than social expectations, emotions, or what is others deserve. By their very nature, acts of hesed are performed freely, expecting nothing in return. The moment we start loving to get something out of it, it’s no longer hesed.

We need to practice more hesed. Especially me. The best way to learn hesed is by receiving it from God, which I do, every moment of every day. I just often fail to acknowledge it. Another way is by acknowledging it when we see it in others. I see it in my wife in this picture. This baby boy is 8 months old and has never once lacked hesed from his foster momma.

I snuck this sweet hesed pic during an assembly at the school the other day.