Shawnee Church of the Nazarene in Shawnee, Kansas, United States for Friday, 27 April 2018
This week as a staff we read Psalm 136 together in staff meeting. As I read it aloud I realized a few things.
Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to Adonai, for he is good,
for his grace continues forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his grace continues forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his grace continues forever;
4 to him who alone has done great wonders,
for his grace continues forever;
5 to him who skillfully made the heavens,
for his grace continues forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth on the water,
for his grace continues forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
for his grace continues forever;
8 the sun to rule the day,
for his grace continues forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule the night,
for his grace continues forever;
10 to him who struck down Egypt’s firstborn,
for his grace continues forever;
11 and brought Isra’el out from among them,
for his grace continues forever;
12 with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm,
for his grace continues forever;
13 to him who split apart the Sea of Suf,
for his grace continues forever;
14 and made Isra’el cross right through it,
for his grace continues forever;
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Sea of Suf,
for his grace continues forever;
16 to him who led his people through the desert,
for his grace continues forever;
17 to him who struck down great kings,
for his grace continues forever;
18 yes, he slaughtered powerful kings,
for his grace continues forever;
19 Sichon king of the Emori,
for his grace continues forever;
20 and ‘Og king of Bashan,
for his grace continues forever;
21 then he gave their land as a heritage,
for his grace continues forever;
22 to be possessed by Isra’el his servant,
for his grace continues forever;
23 who remembers us whenever we are brought low,
for his grace continues forever;
24 and rescues us from our enemies,
for his grace continues forever;
25 who provides food for every living creature,
for his grace continues forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his grace continues forever. (Compete Jewish Bible).
***First… it is extremely repetitive, as if there is one major take away from the passage.
Second… that it is the story of the People of Israel up until that point and all throughout stopping to declare that “God’s love endures forever!”
Third… I couldn’t help but think that author of this Psalm knew that every moment along the way up to that point was not perfect. I can imagine the author knew that there were dark days. There were some that were slaves in Egypt that never saw deliverance. There were those that strayed to worship other gods. There were times where the people simply didn’t trust God.
What does this all mean for us today?
First… God’s love is relentless and repetitive. Almost annoying at times (just like the repetitive phrase in the passage) in that God is always there desiring to love us and walk through life with us.
Second… We can continue in the story and see that throughout the rest of the Old Testament, into the New Testament, and all throughout Church History that “God’s love endures forever.” Another version says, “God’s faithful love lasts forever!” That is a great reminder.
Third… there may be days that we are down, that it feels like everything is against us, and that God does not hear our cries. Yet, even in those dark days when we feel like we are in a pit… “God’s love endures forever.”
May we, Shawnee Church of the Nazarene, be a people shaped by that enduring love. May we remember God’s love and share it without hesitation.
Grace and Peace,
Cara
Contact:
(913) 631-5555
Shawnee Church of the Nazarene
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