Hesed

Let us go back at the beginning of my story. After the fall of the communist regime in Slovakia in 1989, the grammar schools have introduced two new compulsory subjects: religion studies and ethics. At my school we had only an option to be taught either catholic religion or ethics. Because I was secretly baptised as a child by an evangelical pastor in High Tatras (our biggest mountains) and my grandparents were proud Protestants, I started to attend evangelical religion studies in a different school. This was led by a nice young man, who really loved the kids and enjoyed his job very much. The classes were interesting, they made us think hard and reevaluate many things we used to believe. And all this was happening in an atmosphere of love, peace and acceptance. I loved it! Being a believer sounded like having so much fun! It is such a pity, that I cannot become a Christian, I thought to myself. My family was not attending church on regular basis, we didn´t pray before the meals, didn´t talk about God, which left me with a feeling being disqualified for Christianity.

But one day our teacher said something, that struck me deeply: you don't have to go to church every Sunday in order to be a Christian, the most important requirement is a personal, living relationship with Lord Jesus. Really?? Did I hear correctly? Then it means, that I can become a Christian as well, my heart was pounding out of my chest. Amazing news! Shortly afterwards I accepted the invitation for a meeting of evangelical youth and also participated in one of the camps they organized. There I could experience the love among the leaders, their love for kids and their love for Jesus. It was so irresistible. I just longed for this love, peace and joy with all my being, so right during my stay there I gave my life to Jesus. It was no pushing, no big preaching, I just saw the love in action.

And this is how I discovered Hesed. This Hebrew word is translated as love, mercy, goodness. When there is "hesed" between two people, they are not only good to each other, but also loyal. Whenever this word is used for God in the old testament, it always refers to the contract between God and Israel. Hesed is a loyal love that is stronger than betrayal, grace, which is more powerful than sin. Hesed is not only a feeling, it's an action. It always takes the side of the loved one and never fails to rescue. It is faithful, it is reliable.

Is 54:10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love (hesed) for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.