The Only Love That Never Fails - Encouragement for Today - October 23, 2025

Encouragement for Today

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Crosswalk.com

Lysa TerKeurst

October 23, 2025

The Only Love That Never Fails
LYSA TERKEURST

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)

I distinctly remember the first time I had to check the box that said “divorced” on a medical form asking for my marital status. I would imagine no one else at the doctor’s office has since given that day a second thought. But to me, it was a devastating moment.

Staring down at the document, I could hear voices laced with judgment, though no one was speaking. Everything in me wanted to write an explanation off to the side of this page:

This was the most heart-wrenching experience of my life. I fought hard, really hard, to save my almost-30-year marriage. I didn’t rush this decision. It took me years. Years when my kids and I endured a lot. Things we shouldn’t have seen, heard, or discovered. Things that weren’t stopping. So I experienced one of the most painful losses I’ve ever known … the death of my marriage.

But there wasn’t enough space in that tiny box to put all that. So I just scratched the tip of the pen onto the paper in the shape of a check beside the word “divorced.” And then I started to cry when one of the next lines asked me for my emergency contact.

The shock and heartbreak of that relationship implosion impacted every level of my life. This was just further proof that nothing was left untouched or undamaged. And I felt the harsh realities every single day.

It’s devastating when the ones who are supposed to love us and lead us well … don’t.

Maybe that statement rings painfully true for you, whether it’s with a spouse, a parent, or even a Christian leader. It was a reality for the children of Israel too. Zephaniah 3:3-4 vividly portrays leaders who the Israelites should have been able to trust:

“Her officials within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that leave nothing till the morning. Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy; they do violence to the law” (ESV).

I can’t help but think about how easy it would have been for God’s people to point their fingers and attribute their sinful ways to the ones who led them and wronged them.

But instead, God invited them to redirect their focus to His goodness. He alone is righteous. He alone does no wrong (Zephaniah 3:5).

The prophet Zephaniah went on to reveal why the Israelites could feel safe placing all their trust in the Lord:

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).

This description of their God and King points back to one of Israel’s first kings, David, who was both a warrior and a musician. It also paints an incredible picture of hope. A heavenly Father who not only loves His people and saves them but also sings over them with joy.

This may be an image we struggle to connect with in our own lives. Especially if our earthly relationships have left us feeling unloved, unprotected, and uncertain to the point where we don’t want to trust anyone again. Often our view of God is tainted by the people who have failed us.

It can be so tempting to point to past hurts and say, “All my issues can be linked back to what other people did to me.”

Trust me. I know. But God doesn’t want us to stay stuck blaming others and never experience the healing we need.

He wants to heal us and help us move forward. He will fill in the gaps left by people. Through His promises, we can be reassured of all those things we wish others would have said or done. His love for us is deep, unwavering, and certain.

And the only thing that will stop the desperation, uncertainties, and insecurities is to realize that those who unfairly rejected us were putting their hurt on display more than making a defining statement about us.

Just because someone projected hurt onto you doesn’t mean you have to carry it the rest of your life or let it define you. What they did doesn’t mean you only deserve scraps of love from others.

You are fully known and loved by a God whose greatest joy is to be with you. I pray these truths flood your heart with peace like they do mine.

Peace that permits you to live like you are loved. Because you are: deeply, abundantly, unfailingly.

God, thank You for being a God who fights for me and takes delight in me. Even when I feel rejected and abandoned by those who have not loved me well, give me the ears to hear the song of love You’re singing over my heart and life today. Thank You for Your perfect, never-failing love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Sometimes you need more than just a little bit of encouragement. Lysa TerKeurst deeply understands this. That’s why she put together “When They Broke Your Heart and You Don’t Know Where To Go From Here: A Tool Kit for Desperate Moments,” a resource that includes: 1) personal voice memos from Lysa when you need to hear from a friend who gets it, 2) beautiful wallpapers for your phone background when you want to carry truth with you wherever you go, and 3) scripture-based prayers for when you’re short of your own words. Access it all for free here!

ENGAGE

Find real-life encouragement when you connect with Lysa TerKeurst here on Instagram.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Numbers 23:19, “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (NIV).

Amid hard relational dynamics with people, how do these verses about the steadfast nature of God bring you comfort? Let us know in the comments.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org