Real Love Requires More Than Infatuation

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.

For his steadfast love endures forever.” 

– Psalm 136:1 (ESV).

Infatuation and love can feel similar initially, but a closer inspection reveals their differences. 

Do you remember your first crush? That rush of excitement when you saw them? Their attractiveness and charm made your heart race, and nonstop thinking about them throughout the day? You were smitten, captivated—infatuated!

Oh, the joy and beauty of “puppy love.” 

When infatuated, the person who captures your attention seems flawless. They speak sweetly and act kindly, and you’re convinced they are “perfect.” Infatuation is intense and often immediate. But this feeling can lead to idealization—a glamorous and unrealistic view of someone. 

When we’re drawn to physical beauty or the idea of someone’s qualities without truly knowing them, we risk being blinded to reality. And when their inevitable flaws surface, that infatuation fades.

Real love, however, takes time to grow. It’s built on a “foundation” of deep understanding, trust, and care. Love accepts someone’s imperfections and stands by them through life’s challenges. It desires the best for them—even when things aren’t perfect. Love isn’t just about attraction or excitement—it’s about connection, commitment, and sacrifice. True love is steady, faithful, and lasting. 

A good way to think about it is this: infatuation is like fireworks—bright, intense, and over quickly. Love is like a steady flame—warm, reliable, and enduring. 

Psalm 136 beautifully captures God’s enduring love. Often called the “Great Hallel” (Great Praise), this psalm repeats the phrase, “For His steadfast love endures forever,” 26 times. This repetitive call-and-response likely played a role in public worship or temple ceremonies, where a leader would declare a truth (“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good…”), and the congregation would respond, “For His steadfast love endures forever.”

This psalm recounts God’s acts of creation, deliverance, and provision, demonstrated through Israel’s history—from the wonders of creation to the Exodus and their journey into the Promised Land. God’s steadfast, loyal, and enduring love is celebrated at every step. Scholars believe this psalm may have been composed during or after the Babylonian exile, a time when remembering God’s faithfulness would have offered deep comfort and hope. 

Whether you reside in Babylon or Boston, Philadelphia or Phoenix, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Russia, Canada, or any other place on the face of this globe, the call remains the same: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good…” And our response echoes through the ages: “For His steadfast love endures forever.”

Each time we recall God’s goodness, we remember this powerful truth: God isn’t merely infatuated with us—He truly LOVES us. And God’s חֶ֫סֶד (“hesed”) love—faithful, steadfast, everlasting, and enduring—is available for each of us, wherever we are.  

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Reflect 

• Psalm 136 emphasizes God’s steadfast, enduring love. How have you experienced God’s faithful love, even during challenging times?
• How can you reflect God’s “hesed” love — patient, loyal, and lasting — toward the people around you?