The Love That
Never Leaves

There’s a word that means love so faithful that it never leaves—even when we do.

Chesed

That word is Hebrew. It comes from the Bible, and it’s called chesed (ḥesed). It’s a beautiful word. It’s a word that doesn’t translate into English quite the way we’d like it to, because it’s so rich. It really is this incredible covenant of love—something we don’t understand as much as we think we do, because it’s not built on emotion. It’s built on the character of God and who He is.

Today, I just want to talk a little bit about the love of God. I want to talk about what that love actually is, and how God has shown it to us in the Bible since the beginning of time.

“Where Are You?”

Let’s start in Genesis.

We know there was creation. We know God created us because of love. But let’s go further than that. One of the first things God said to us when we fell—when we sinned—was, “Where are you?”

This wasn’t because God needed to know where Adam and Eve were. He knew exactly where they were. He was asking something deeper: Where is your heart? Where are you spiritually? Where is your relationship with Me?

It’s a really important question. And right in the heart of that question, we see God’s love. He truly wants to know where we are in life.

Now, we hear all the time that God accepts us exactly where we are—and that’s true. But this is different. This is God being concerned about where we are. Not just saying, I love you no matter what, but saying, I want to know where you’re at.

That matters.

Then Adam and Eve say they were hiding because they were embarrassed. They were naked. And the next thing God says is incredible: “Who told you that you were naked?”

This is profound. Sin and shame have just entered the world, and God is saying, That didn’t come from Me.

Humans are suddenly aware of embarrassment, pride, and brokenness. And God is asking, Who told you that?

Because that voice didn’t come from God—it came from the accuser.

And we still hear that voice today: Who told you you’re not good enough? Who told you to live in fear? Who told you these things?

God is constantly asking us to challenge where those lies come from.

Hear Me, O Israel

If we move forward to Moses and the Exodus, something really fascinating happens.

In Judaism, there’s a prayer called the Shema. It’s one of the most important prayers a Jewish person will say daily. It begins, “Hear, O Israel,” and then commands us to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength.

What’s beautiful about this is that it’s active listening. It’s not just, Listen to Me. It’s, Hear Me.

And what’s even more beautiful is that God gives this prayer to Moses—someone who struggled to speak. Moses didn’t want to lead because of his fear and his speech impediment.

So God doesn’t give him a prayer about speaking. He gives him a prayer about listening. “Hear Me.”

God meets Moses right where he is. He doesn’t only ask him to perform in the area of his weakness. He invites him into relationship. And that love flows back from every part of who we are—heart, soul, mind, and strength.

God With Us

If we fast-forward to Jesus, the greatest act of love is that God humbled Himself and became human.

He could have stayed in His kingdom. He could have remained distant. Instead, He came down.

And He didn’t come as a king. He came as a baby.

A baby we didn’t need to fear.

He lived through childhood, pain, temptation, and suffering. He chose His parents intentionally. Mary and Joseph were not powerful people. Joseph is called a just man, and his actions show sacrificial love.

By staying with Mary, Joseph accepted shame that could have destroyed her. He bore it himself. And when Joseph named Jesus, he was making a covenant—claiming responsibility for that child.

Jesus chose parents who understood sacrificial love.

The Creator Who Creates

Jesus could have chosen any profession. Instead, He became a tekton—a craftsman, a builder, someone who creates with their hands.

The Creator of the universe came into the world as a creator.

He built things. He worked quietly. He created with His hands before beginning His ministry. Even there, love is revealed.

He Wept

When Lazarus died, Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen. He knew Lazarus would be raised from the dead.

And still—He wept.

Why?

Because the people He loved were grieving.

Jesus doesn’t just tolerate our suffering. He enters it. He cries with us. He hurts with us. That is love.

And Peter

After the resurrection, when the tomb is empty, the angel says: “Go tell the disciples—and Peter.”

Why Peter?

Peter had denied Jesus three times. Judas betrayed Jesus and ended his life. Peter betrayed Jesus and was devastated.

By naming Peter specifically, God was saying, You are not forgotten. You are forgiven. You are still Mine.

God doesn’t just love us. He wants us to know it.

Love Without Performance

So many of us learn love as something we have to earn. From teachers. From parents. From relationships.

We feel like we have to perform to be accepted.

But God doesn’t love you for your performance. He loves you in your brokenness, your tiredness, your sickness, your weakness.

And if you feel far from God, Scripture tells us He isn’t walking toward you. He’s running.

Knit Together

The Bible says God knit us together in our mother’s womb.

He spoke the world into existence—but He knit us.

That takes time. That means care. Attention. Intention.

His love extends to every one of us.

And our response is love—chesed love. Covenant love. Love that doesn’t leave.

So today, I hope you feel truly loved.

And as you move into this new year, I hope you begin again—loving God, loving others, and loving yourself.

Dr. David Shapiro is a Christian pastor, author, and apologist whose life journey took him from being raised in an Orthodox Jewish home to atheism and ultimately to a vibrant faith in Jesus Christ. He holds a doctorate in religious education and serves as a pastor and chaplain, bringing a unique blend of personal testimony, deep biblical study, and apologetics to his teaching and writing. Dr. Shapiro is the co-host of The Boundless Bible podcast and the author of Unshakable: The Evidence Behind The Bible, where he explores the historical and spiritual foundations of Christian faith from both lived experience and scholarly insight. His teaching emphasizes the grace, truth, and steadfast love found in Scripture.

Listen & Connect: You can find The Boundless Bible podcast, book updates, and resources at drdavidshapiro.org.