INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 136, Romans 8:38&39
It isn't difficult to guess what the title of this Psalm is: "LOVE (MERCY) ENDURES FOREVER". This phrase is repeated 26 times in this Psalm, and, as the previous Psalm 135 told us, we know that GOD'S LOVE and COMPASSION are an of "expression of His GOODNESS".
"Mercy" is translated in Hebrew as "hessed", which may be understood as the Lord's grace, His faithful love and kindness. In this Psalm God is also given 3 names: "Jehovah (grace)", "Elohim (might)" and "Adonai (Sovereign). " The rest of this Psalm, like its predecessor, remind us of God's many "miraculous wonders", and again, an expression of His LOVE AND MERCY.
"You are LOVED. Nothing can get in the way of GOD'S LOVE FOR YOU...... GOD'S LOVE IS LIMITLESS, and no one can stop it. GOD'S LOVE IS PERFECT AND STEADFAST..... in HARMONY WITH HIS HOLINESS, JUSTICE AND OMNIPOTENCE, and all His other attributes."
Ruth Chou Simmons
This Psalm is a rhetorical song, and we can can see a multitude of God's people, gathering in the Temple Courts. The Priest or Levite would call out the reason for their thanks and praise, and the people would respond: "HIS MERCY (LOVE) ENDURES FOREVER."
"And when He had consulted with the people, He appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise His beauty of holiness, and they went out before the Army and were saying: "Praise the Lord, His mercy endures forever" " 2 Chronicles 20:21 (NKJV)
THANKSGIVING - Psalm 136:1-3; Psalm 100:4&5
"O GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD! HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER! Give thanks to the God of gods! His mercy endures forever. O give thanks to the Lord of Lords! His mercy endures forever." Psalm 136:1-3 (NKJV)
God is our TRUE GOD and again we are reminded that He deserves OUR THANKS AND PRAISE. His LOVE AND MERCY are what we also need to be reminded of. Like the Israelites we need to be "GRATEFUL" for all God's blessings He has given us and we need to sing this Psalm, "HIS MERCY (LOVE) ENDURES FOREVER".
"LORD, WE NEED TO THANK YOU, FOR YOUR LOVE AND MERCY." Nicky Gumbel
WHY DO WE THANK THE LORD?
* Because HE LOVES US!
* He is the ONE GOD!
* His GOODNESS, LOVE AND MERCY ENDURE FOREVER!
* HE CARES FOR US!
"How do we respond to HIS WONDROUS LOVE? We start here: the more we set our hearts on the MERCY AND KINDNESS OF GOD, the more we can's offer our lives back to Him with GRATEFUL PRAISE." Ruth Chou Simmons
"Enter His gates with THANKSGIVIG and His courts with PRAISE, and GIVE THANKS TO HIM and PRAISE HIS NAME. For the Lord is good and HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER, His faithfulness continues through all generations" Psalm 100:4&5 (NIV)
GOD'S LOVE SHOWN IN HIS CREATION - Psalm 136:4-9, Genesis 1
"To Him alone does great wonders, for His mercy endures forever; To Him who by His wisdom MADE THE HEAVENS, for His mercy endures forever; to Him who LAID THE EARTH ABOVE THE WATERS, for His mercy endures forever, WHO MADE THE GREAT LIGHTS - the sun to govern the day and the moon and stars to govern the night, His love endures forever." Psalm 136:4-9 (NKJ/NIV)
"By wisdom the Lord laid His foundation, by understanding He set the Heavens in place. By His knowledge the watery depths were divided and the clouds let drop the dew." Proverbs 3:19&20 (NKJV)
GOD'S CREATION is a great demonstration of HIS LOVE AND MERCY. Back in Genesis we read of the CREATION STORY and how God made everything with His people in mind. He also made His people, so they could take care of His creation.
"In the beginning God CREATED the Heavens and the earth...And God said, "Let there be LIGHT and there was LIGHT. God saw that it was good and He separated the LIGHT from the darkness.....God CREATED MANKIND in His own image, male and female HE CREATED THEM." Genesis 1:1, 3&4, 27 (NIV)
"Know that the LORD IS GOD. It is He who MADE US, and we are His; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture." Psalm 100:2 (NIV)
"The description of GOD'S WORK IN CREATION and in history, alternate with HIS TIMELESS LOVE." Pat & David Alexander
"People cannot put a limit on GOD'S PATIENT CARE. HE CREATED EVERY DETAIL OF THE UNIVERSE, and patiently provided for HIS PEOPLE." Max Lucado
GOD'S LOVE SHOWN IN HISTORY - Read 136:6-10; Exodus 11-15; Joshua 1-6.
"To Him who struck down the first born of Egypt, HIS LOVE ENNDURES FOREVER; He brought Israel out by His might hand and outstretched arm, HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER..... He who led His people through the wilderness, HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.....He who struck down great kings and killed mighty kings, HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER, and He gave their land as an inheritance, an inheritance to His servant Israel, HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER." Psalm 136:10-12, 16-18, 21-22. (NKJV)
Psalm 136 is a repetition of it's previous Psalm 135, when the Psalmist spoke of the Israelites deliverance from Egypt and His provision in the wilderness. God still PROVIDES FOR US today - guidance, physical needs, healing and victory. God also demonstrated HIS LOVE AND MERCY " by striking down the kings of other nations".
"Moses answered the people: "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the DELIVERANCE the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you and you need only TO BE STILL." Exodus 14:13&14
"The Lord did to the Jordan what He has done to the Red Sea, until He dried it up before us and we crossed over. He did that so that all the people of the earth might know that the HAND OF THE LORD IS POWERFUL and so that you might always fear the Lord your God." Joshua 4:23&24 (NIV)
We now, not only have A SAVIOUR IN JESUS CHRIST, but we have an advocate and healer in the HOLY SPIRIT. Our Father God asks us to praise Him, not only because He is our PROVIDER, but OUR REDEEMER.
"The God of the HISTORY in this Psalm is very important. As in countless other places in Scripture, God uses HIS WORK IN THE PAST to give us HOPE, FAITH AND CONFIDENCE - for this moment and the future." David Guzik
JESUS OUR REDEEMER - Read Psalm 136:23-25
"He remembered us in low estate, HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER; and freed us from our enemies, HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER." Psalm 136:23&25 (NKJV)
Jesus shows HIS LOVE AND MERCY everyday of our lives. His most important attribute is SELF SACRIFICE - when He DIED ON THE CROSS FOR US. As our REDEEMER, we need to have a LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS, as His Father God. Their love is LIMITLESS AND UNENDING. It is perfect harmony with their GOODNESS, LOVE AND MERCY.
"For God so loved the world, He sent His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish, but will have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son in the world to condemn the world, but that the world, through Him, might be saved." John 3:16&17 (NKJV)
As for our PROVIDER we can always trust in GOD'S FAITHFULNESS, in keeping His promises to His people. Because of HIS LOVINGKINDNESS and GRACE, like His Son Jesus we will be able to BLESS AND HELP others.
"Because of the LORD'S GREAT LOVE we are not consumed, for HIS COMPASSION will never fail. They are new every morning. GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS." Lamentations 3:23&24 (NIV)
CONCLUSION - Psalm 36:26
Charles Spurgeon reminds us that nothing can end GOD'S LOVE AND MERCY:
* Nothing in the PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE.
* No STORMS OF LIFE.
* The DISTANCE OF LOVE ONES.
* DEATH itself.
GOD'S LOVE and GRACE should help us:
*To be MERCIFUL TO OTHERS.
*To be MORE HOPEFUL FOR OTHERS.
* Have MORE HOPE FOR OURSELVES.
"Give thanks to the God of Heaven, HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER." Psalm 139:26 (NIV)
"The Love of God" (1017/2012) Frederick Lehman (Composer), Gaither Band,
Gaither Music, ITUNES.
"The Holy Bible - New International Version" - (2011) Biblica
"The Holy Bible - New King James Version" - (1982) Thomas Nelson
ALEXANDER, Pat and David, "The Lion Handbook to the Bible - 4th Edition", (2009) Lion Hudson Publishers
GUNBEL, Nicky and Pippa, "The Bible - Classic Version," (2024) Alpha, You Version
GUZIK, David, "Psalm 136: God's Never Ending Mercy - Enduring Word Bible Commentary", (2020) ewm@enduringword.com
CHOU SIMMONS, Ruth, "Pilgrim - 25 Ways God Leads Us Onward," 2023, Harvest House Publishers
LUCADO, Max, "NCV Devotional Bible - Experience the Heart of Jesus", (2003) Thomas Nelson
No comments:
Post a Comment