Day 844: Psalm 136- Unending Love

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew[a] Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
17 to him who struck down great kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
 
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
 
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
 
Meditation
God’s love for you in Christ is unending, everlasting, eternal, perpetual, and permanent. Christians often celebrate the promises of Romans 8, that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ (Romans 8:31-39). Rarely do we rejoice in the eternal realities of God’s love, that in Christ God’s love chose us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3).
 
The repeated refrain translated, “His steadfast love endures forever” may be more appropriately rendered, “for His love has no end.” God is love and His love for you in Christ does not stop. In fact, God’s love cannot stop, or end, because it never began- God’s love for you is eternal, enduring forever. You are totally secure in God’s steadfast love!
 
The Psalmist celebrates how God proves His love in history: Our God is God of gods (1-3), the Creator (4-9), Redeemer (10-16), King of kings (17-22), Provider of needs (23-25), and the Head of the hosts of Heaven (26). God’s love is covenantal, steadfast, and historical. God’s people must worship God for His proven love.
 
Christians today must celebrate how our Father proves His love: While we were His enemies, hostile toward God, He sent the Son to die for us (Romans 5:8-10). Our Creator is our Redeemer whose grace rips us from darkness and transfers us into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13-14). The love of Jesus promises to provide all we need- We must trust Him as we rest in Christ’s covenantal, steadfast, and eternal love.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Which of the Psalmist’s historical reflections on God’s proven love speaks to you most personally? Why?
 
-Do you believe God’s love for you is unending and unbreakable? Why or why not?
 
-The Father’s love for you is proven in Christ. How does the security of God’s steadfast love in Christ free you to repent, receive forgiveness, and return to relationship so that you may love the Lord your God with all your heart? Where do you need to do this in your life?
 
Key Verses
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; 24 and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; 25 he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.