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 redeems 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 how God will redeem us after death. (2 Corinthians 15:35-58).

We often think about our physical redemption. As we age, we long for a new, healthy body so that we can enjoy life to the full. For exemple, we long to sing and play music beautifully, and to enjoy music fully.

But the most important part of redemption will our spiritual redemption.

Through the Redemption of Jesus, we will overcome all our despair, all our confusion, all our fears, all our doubts, and all our failures. (See my book Hoping in the LORD, at pages 309 to 333.)

We will be redeemed so that we can fully enjoy Hesed ourselves and fully give Hesed to others. Our efforts to enjoy Hesed and give Hesed will no longer go astray. (Isaiah 53:6; Romans 7:15,19).

In this Way of Jesus (who embodies Hesed), we will live in the image of God and Hesed for all Eternity. (Genesis 1:31; 1 Corinthians 15:49).

In this Way of Jesus, we will Rest in Peace because everything in Creation will be good—it will be very good for all Eternity. (Genesis 1:31-2:1-3).

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

What do you most look forward to physically after your resurrection? Why?

What do you most look forward to spiritually after your resurrection? Why?

Do you look forward to sharing Hesed with those who you loved in this life? Why? How?

Do you look forward to sharing Hesed with those who you hated in this life? Why? How?

Do you look forward to sharing Hesed with those who you never knew in this life? Why? How?

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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; and

please read “The Truth of Easter” in my book Visions of the Church, at pages 169-170.