Why Steadfast?

Steadfast, that is a pretty archaic word we don’t hear spoken too often these days. Why would we choose to use this in our studio name? Especially for a company focused on creating video games, a rapidly expanding and fluctuating industry? Why not something cooler, flashier, or even trendier? It seems like an odd choice.

What does "steadfast" really mean?

It is true, I hardly ever use the word steadfast in daily conversation. But really, it is for good reason. There are not a lot of things you can truly call steadfast that embody the whole meaning of the word. According to Merriam Webster (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steadfast), there are a few separate definitions of the word. Steadfast can mean:

Firmly fixed in place.
Not subject to change.
Firm in belief, determination, or adherence.

Those are certainly some pretty lofty statements, and pretty ambitious to claim that as the name for a business. Especially in an industry as volatile as games, with technology changing so quickly how could any video game company be steadfast? It is these very questions that show a core part of our mission!

I think is important first to mention that as a video game company, change is inevitable and necessary. I do not intend steadfast to be confused with the word stagnant, as in stuck in the same old routines, for example, trying to force people to listen to CD’s when everyone has a smart phone. We would not be able to withstand the tides of the video game industry if we adopted a strategy like this and would promptly have to close up shop. Therefore, we intend to be flexible with our business and development strategies to create games that not only serve players but also sustain our mission. This will help our games and their worldview baked in reach the most amount of people.

My goal for this business is to make it grow and grow (Lord willing) into something that can withstand the fluctuations of not only the industry, but also the world. The whole reason I set out on this journey was to create mature games without mature content. Giving gamers seeking a game designed for a mature audience exciting alternatives to the popular titles coming out these days. Claiming territory for the kingdom of God using one of the most powerful mediums of our time. Crafting fictional stories in fictional worlds rooted in the morals and ethics of the most steadfast piece of literature humankind has ever known, the Bible (Isaiah 40:8). Ultimately, serving the one true God whose steadfast love endures forever!

What does the Bible say about steadfast?

The Bible has no shortage of verses discussing the Lords “steadfast love”, the second and most important reason for the name. There is one Hebrew word in particular that sticks out when discussing this topic, חֶסֶד‎ (ḥesed)(prounounced like “hey said”). This word is used throughout the old testament (particularly in psalms) to describe the love and loyalty God has for His people and the covenant He has made with them.

"Hesed" is translated into English in a few ways in different translations, such as “lovingkindness”, “faithful love”, but quite often in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible, it is translated to the phrase “steadfast love”. What a beautiful picture those words paint in English. The Lords love is “firmly fixed in place” and “not subject to change” for His people.

But who are the Lord’s people? Most of the time in the old testament, this steadfast love was in reference to Israel. The descendants of the Lord’s chosen, Abraham, who He rescued out of Egypt, gave the promised land, provided for, and cherishes throughout the whole Bible. But in the Old Testament, Israel turns from this affection often, forgetting what God has done for them and rebelling, breaking the covenant which God steadfastly upheld.

God sovereignly knew this would happen, and because of His steadfast love that endures forever, had already planned salvation for Israel from the foundation of the world. That is, Jesus Christ. Who came to save not only the Israelites from their sin, but also everyone else from theirs (also known as the gentiles: Romans 3:29). Because of this, the God of the universe has always had steadfast love for the true Israel, those who believe in Jesus Christ our savior (Galatians 3:28-29). What great assurance we who believe in Jesus have.

There are so many verses in the old testament describing the steadfast love of the Lord, and because the Lord does not change (Malachi 3:6), we can read them and learn so much about one key aspect of who God is and how he relates to those who believe in Jesus Christ:

Psalm 25:10

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Psalm 89:14

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

Psalm 103:2-5

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 106:1

Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Jeremiah 9:23-34

Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”

Micah 7:18-20

18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. 19 He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. 20 You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

Lamentations 3:22

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;

In case that wasn’t enough, check out another 147 passages about the steadfast love of the Lord!

Gen 24:12–14, Gen 24:27, Gen 32:9–11, Gen 39:21, Ex 15:13, Ex 20:5–6, Ex 34:6–7, Num 14:18–19, Deut 5:9–10, Deut 7:9–12, 1 Sam 20:12–15, 2 Sam 2:5–6, 2 Sam 7:12–17, 2 Sam 15:20, 2 Sam 22:50–51, 1 Kgs 3:6, 1 Kgs 8:22–24, 1 Chr 16:34, 1 Chr 16:41, 1 Chr 17:13, 2 Chr 1:8, 2 Chr 5:13, 2 Chr 6:13–15, 2 Chr 6:42, 2 Chr 7:1–6, 2 Chr 20:21, Ezra 3:11, Ezra 7:27–28, Ezra 9:9, Neh 1:5, Neh 9:17, Neh 9:32, Neh 13:22, Job 10:12, Ps 5:7, Ps 6:4, Ps 13:5, Ps 17:7, Ps 18:49–50, Ps 21:7, Ps 25:6–7, Ps 26:3, Ps 31:7, Ps 31:16, Ps 31:21, Ps 32:10, Ps 33:5, Ps 33:18, Ps 33:22, Ps 36:5, Ps 36:7, Ps 36:10, Ps 40:10–11, Ps 42:8, Ps 44:26, Ps 48:9, Ps 51:1, Ps 52:1, Ps 52:8, Ps 57:3, Ps 57:7, Ps 57:10, Ps 59:10, Ps 59:16–17, Ps 61:7, Ps 62:11–12, Ps 63:3, Ps 66:20, Ps 69:13, Ps 69:16, Ps 77:6–11, Ps 85:7, Ps 85:10, Ps 86:5, Ps 86:13, Ps 86:15, Ps 88:11, Ps 89:1–2, Ps 89:24, Ps 89:28–34, Ps 90:14, Ps 92:1–2, Ps 94:18, Ps 98:3, Ps 100:5, Ps 101:1, Ps 103:8, Ps 103:11, Ps 103:17, Ps 106:7, Ps 106:45, Ps 107:1, Ps 107:8, Ps 107:15, Ps 107:21, Ps 107:31, Ps 107:43, Ps 108:4, Ps 109:21, Ps 109:26, Ps 115:1, Ps 117:2, Ps 118:1–4, Ps 118:29, Ps 119:41, Ps 119:64, Ps 119:76, Ps 119:88, Ps 119:124, Ps 119:149, Ps 119:159, Ps 130:7, Ps 136:1–26, Ps 138:2, Ps 138:8, Ps 143:8, Ps 143:12, Ps 144:1–2, Ps 145:8, Ps 147:11, Prov 14:22, Prov 16:6, Prov 20:28, Isa 16:5, Isa 54:10, Isa 55:3, Isa 63:7, Jer 16:5, Jer 32:18, Jer 33:11, Lam 3:31–33, Dan 9:4, Hos 2:19, Hos 10:12, Joel 2:13, Jon 2:8, Jon 4:2

Conclusion

So, I hope this shines a light on why we chose Studio Steadfast as our name. We aspire to be a steadfast video game company, firmly rooted in the Lord to provide us direction and take us where He wills. Being richly blessed by the steadfast love of the Lord and using one of our times most powerful mediums to be a light to others so they can experience it too.

We seek to base our values, decisions, direction, and ambition on the only one who is truly steadfast, the Lord. Obviously, and unfortunately, everyone in this company is human (shocking right), and beset with weaknesses not unlike those of Israel in the old testament. Therefore we will fail, over, and over, and over again. But our goal is to keep Christ at the center, the word of God as our compass, and He will make our path’s straight. So lets go make some fun video games on the steadfast foundation of the Lord!

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Read more at esv.org.