"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Give thanks to the God of gods,
for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
To Him who alone does great wonders,
for His lovingkindness is everlasting;
to Him who made the heavens with skill,
for His lovingkindness is everlasting;
to Him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for His lovingkindness is everlasting;
to Him who made the great lights,
for His lovingkindness is everlasting:
the sun to rule by day,
for His lovingkindness is everlasting,
the moon and stars to rule by night,
for His lovingkindness is everlasting."
(Psalm 136:1-9)
In these 26 verses (of which I am only going to give a brief intro to this morning) we will be reminded of the greatness of God in and of Himself,of His creative and sustaining power over the entire universe, of His role as Israel's God and Savior and King, of His condescending act of redeeming us from our hopeless and helpless estate, and of His never-ceasing beneficence. He is a good God, a great God, a gracious God, and a giving God. Won't you give thanks with me?
There is a repetitive phrase used very effectively in this particular hymn of thanks:
"for His lovingkindness is everlasting."
Just in case you were wondering, it is used 26 times in 26 verses - I think this everlasting lovingkindness is a point that our lyricist wants to drive home!!
This echoing mantra points us to several truths
1. Just as the words are repeated so are the mercies of God which they convey. Over and over and over we are told "for His lovingkindness is everlasting" because over and over and over His everlasting lovingkindnesses are poured out upon us. As Augustus Toplady phrased it in one of his old hymns, we have a "fountain of never ceasing grace" and that fountain is the "saint's exhaustless theme." Oh, give thanks with me for this merciful and gracious lovingkindness which flows freely and un-endingly from Him.
2. Just as the words are repeated in regards to varying situations and circumstances so are the mercies of God applied to us in all the varying realms and spheres of life. In this one psalm our attention is drawn to the mercies that are ours in worshipping God, in all of the created order, in national history, in redemptive history, and even in the provision of our daily bread.
No matter what we are facing this day "His lovingkindness is everlasting." Oh, give thanks with me to this One who's mercy and grace is repeatedly everpresent with us in all things, in all places, in all times.
Christian, whatever your day holds it is held together by the everlasting lovingkindness of God.
3. Just as the words are repeated so should our own thoughts of God's everlasting lovingkindness be. Clearly, the mercies of our God are an echoing theme, not only in Psalm 136, but in all of Scripture. With a quick perusal via my computer search engine I came up with 290 references to God's lovingkindness/mercy. God's lovingkindness to undeserving, rebellious, ungrateful sinners is the heart of the gospel and the recognition of that fact should be at the heart of our worship. God's everlasting lovingkindness is a crowning jewel of His amazing character!
Over the next few mornings I'll be breaking down the things that have grabbed my far too often unthankful heart. By the end I pray that we will all be echoing the psalmist's mantra not only with our lips but with our hearts and with our lives.
"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting."
In grateful hallelujahs,
Lori
No comments:
Post a Comment