Psalm 136:1-4 - Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for His steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His steadfast love endures forever; to Him who alone does great wonders, for His steadfast love endures forever.
We often use refrains, certain repeated words and phrases, in our worship. Some hymns have a refrain or chorus at the end of each verse. In our liturgy we may respond with repeated phrases after Scripture readings or prayers. Refrains are heard outside of church too, in political slogans or in annoying, yet memorable, advertising jingles.
The psalmist provides us with a refrain to use during worship and in our daily lives: "For His steadfast love endures forever." We are told to give thanks to the Lord and exactly why we should do so. The Lord is good and His steadfast love endures forever, the goodness and enduring love revealed through His mighty works. The psalmist lists great wonders God has done, each followed by the refrain: "For His steadfast love endures forever." God created the heavens and the earth, the sun, moon, and stars. The Lord delivered His people from slavery in Egypt. When the Israelites were trapped by Pharaoh's pursuing army, the Lord led them in triumph through the Red Sea. God brought His people into the Promised Land, where He conquered kings and gave their lands to Israel. Did the people of Israel deserve such love? No, the psalmist says, "It is He who remembered us in our low estate, for His steadfast love endures forever" (Psalm 136:23).
This psalm proclaims what God did to save the people of Israel and reminds us that God, in His steadfast love, saved us. His steadfast love provides a refrain for our lives. We were rebellious and undeserving, enslaved by sin and death, yet God remembered us in our low estate. He sent His Son to save us and set us free. God's enduring, steadfast love was revealed in Jesus' death on the cross. Through that same steadfast love, the Lord rose to life in victory over sin and death. He forgives our sins and, as He once led Israel through the Red Sea, He will lead us in triumph through death into eternal life. When Jesus returns in glory, we will be raised bodily from death to live in His presence forever. Why would He do this for us? The Lord is good and His steadfast love endures forever! That is the endlessly repeated response, a refrain for every day, every moment, of our lives. In joy and victory, in struggle and sorrow, we give thanks to the Lord. Why? We know the answer. We know the refrain.
WE PRAY: Lord, I give thanks to You for You are good and Your steadfast love endures forever. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do you best memorize something—speaking it out loud, writing it down, both, something else?
2. What are the Scripture writers saying to the reader by using repeated words or phrases?
3. How has God's steadfast love been experienced in your life?
Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 33, 43, 66 Philippians 1
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