Each morning, I meditate upon a triplet of related mantras: “The Hesed of the LORD Endures Forever”; “The Hesed of the LORD Redeems Forever”; and “The Hesed of the LORD Blesses Forever”.

These mantras have many applications. But, now that I am 70 years old, my thoughts often turn to their implications for life after death. (See my blog “Life After Death”).

The fact that the Hesed of the LORD blesses forever is the principle that undergirds life after death.

It also undergirds why we will enjoy life after death.

The Hebrew word “hesed” has no exact equivalent in English. Therefore, to capture the meaning of the Hesed of the LORD requires a list of words from English:

     —Faithfulness. (Psalm 117:2 NIV).

     —Love. (Psalm 136 NIV).

     —Mercy. (Psalm 136 KJV).

     —Steadfast love. (Psalm 136 ESV; Exodus 34:6-7).

     —Lovingkindness. (Psalm 136 NASB).

     —Kindness. (Micah 6:8).

I don’t know the specifics of what I’ll enjoy about life after death.

Nor did Jesus get into specifics. He condemned those who posed puzzling questions to undermine belief in life after death—such as questions about how marriage would apply during life after death (Matthew 22:23-33).

His reply remains true today. These skeptics are wrong because they “do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Matthew 22:24).

In the Scriptures, Moses showed that people are alive after death (as explained by Jesus in Matthew 22:31-32),  and Jesus promised that he goes to prepare a place for us to be with him. (John 14:1-3).

The power of God is revealed in his Creation (Genesis 1:1-2:3), including caterpillars turning into butterflies, and the innumerable stars and galaxies seen by the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope.

The power of God is also revealed by his innumerable blessings—on us and on others (Genesis 12:2-3).

One of my favorite passages in the Bible comes from Chapter 15 of Genesis. Abraham is afraid and discouraged. His greatest discouragement is that he has no children to inherit his wealth and his blessings. (Genesis 15:4).

God tells Abraham to step outside his tent: “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them. . . . So shall your offspring be.” (Genesis 15:5).

Similarly, when you’re wondering how many blessings you’ll receive and give before and after your death, look at those photos from the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. Try to count the number of stars and galaxies.

Then rejoice that the number of your blessings before and after your death will be as many as the countless stars and galaxies you see in these photos.

Remember that you will be giving blessings as well as receiving blessings. And that “the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35).

The Hesed of the LORD as embodied in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ truly endures forever, redeems forever, and blesses forever!

Praise be to God!!

Hallelujah!!!

Amen!!!!

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Are you afraid and discouraged as you think about dying? Why?

Are you full of joy as you think about all the blessings you will receive and give before and after you die? Why?

How can you give blessings after you are dead?

How can you give blessings to all of those beings who live in those countless stars and galaxies?

Do you believe that what is impossible for humans is possible with God (Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 18:27)? Why?

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For related thoughts, please read the chapter “Celebrating”—the conclusion of my book Visions of the Church published in one volume with my book Visions of America at pages 221-222 and read “Part Five: Best Friends”—the conclusion of my book Lighting the World, at pages 155-186;

please read “The Truth of Easter” in my book Visions of the Church, at pages 169-170; and “Abraham Believes God’s Promises” in my book The Promised Land, at pages 30-33; and

please read my blogs “Life After Death”; “Life After Death: The Hesed of the LORD Endures Forever”; and “Life After Death: The Hesed of the LORD Redeems Forever”.