Eternal Faithful Love

Psalm 136:1: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Today’s Blog post is not about finding comfort, or about enduring trials in our chaotic world (which there are plenty). Instead I want to focus on thanking God for who He is and that He loves us first (1 John 4:19), and how incredible that is –  as He demonstrated supremely on the cross. Beth Moore had said in one of her Bible studies that we need to remember that, that God loves us first, so when we pray we can in response to His love, say “I love you too, Lord!”

The theme of God’s steadfast and eternal love is repeated throughout Psalm 136. Twenty-six times the author declares “His love endures forever.” No other psalm is like Psalm 136 which states:

• God has created the earth, the sun, moon, and stars. He knows each stars name. All of creation shows His handiwork and greatness. He gives us one day at a time to enjoy. Ps. 136: 5-9.
• God struck down the first-born in Egypt, (v. 10) in response to Pharaoh’s hardened heart in not letting God’s people go out of his land. God punishes our enemies. Exodus 12:29
• God divided the Red Sea and overthrew Pharaoh and all his army, in saving the lives of the Israelites. God fights our battles in mysterious and powerful ways (v. 13). Exodus 14:21-30.
• God led the people through the wilderness, but He did not take them through the shortest route, and He never abandoned them (v. 16). Exodus 13:17-18.
• God killed mighty pagan kings. He defeated Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan. He used Moses and then Joshua to have military strategy and leadership in their commitment to God (vv. 17-22). Numbers 21; Joshua 12.
• God freed the Israelites from all of their enemies (vv. 23-26). God rescues due to His eternal love. He fights, feeds, and puts His love into action.

“In what creative ways can we worship God without engaging in what can become meaningless repetition?” Gene Getz.

God in His mercy does not give us what we deserve.

God in His grace gives us what we do not deserve.

The author of Psalm 136 said 26 times: “His steadfast love endures forever.” The HCSB’s responsive phrase is: “His love is eternal.” The anonymous author wrote nothing about Israel’s suffering in Egypt. Instead, he focused on the exodus. He reviews what God had done for them and gives God praise. Instead of dwelling on things going wrong that I cannot change, I need to worship God for His consistent and eternal love. I need to give thanks to God for bringing deliverance in previous instances. How soon I often forget and stew unnecessarily.

“Our present inheritance is in Jesus Christ, an inheritance that we claim as we walk by faith and defeat Satan and his forces that want to keep us in bondage and spiritual poverty.” Warren Wiersbe.

Write out a list of everything you are thankful and read it over throughout the day. What happens to your attitude?

What are your goals in life? What takes priority?

Set aside a day each month or even just a segment of time, to celebrate what God has done for you. Put it on your calendar to create your own personal “Bravo God!” time of thanksgiving. Set a time to purposefully reboot your mind with the blessings God has freely given. Take a chance to push the refresh, reset, and reboot button of your heart and mind. The significance of our Thanksgiving holiday should not only happen in the month of November.

I have experienced God’s mercy in my life.

I have experienced God’s grace in my life.

Yes, I love you too Lord! Thank you for not just putting up with me, but loving me for all eternity.

 “We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the psalms, and that the habit of celebrating the greatness and graciousness of God yields an endless flow of thankfulness, joy, and zeal.” –J.I. Packer

 “God is in control, and therefore in EVERYTHING I can give thanks – not because of the situation but because of the One who directs and rules over it.” –Kay Arthur

Listen to “God of All My Days” by Casting Crowns.