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O Give Thanks unto the lord
Psalm 136 begins with the words, "0 give thanks unto the LORD for He is good, His steadfast love endures forever."
For what shall we give thanks?
+ an economy that is struggling
+ the burden of men and women serving overseas t the price of gasoline and heating fuel
+ health expenses
+ loved ones struggling with illness and injury t the painful politics during this election year
I read the rest of Psalm 136. Here is what I found.
The first three verses are a reminder that we give thanks to a Triune God. He is the LORD, he is God of gods, He is Lord of lords and His steadfast love endures forever.
Verses 4-9 remind us that God created and sustains all that exists because His steadfast love endures forever. He is powerful enough to handle our problems.
Verses 10-22 remind us that the God, whose steadfast love endures forever, brought His people out of bondage in Egypt. That means that God's people:
+ struggled in a failed economy,
+ served under foreign leaders,
+ could not afford food (they were slaves),
+ watched loved ones beaten to death by abusive government officials and . t had to live under a tyrannical ruler.
However, God's steadfast love rescued them and gave them a place to live.
Finally, in verses 23-26, God writes to us. "He remembers us in our low estate ... He rescues us from our foes ... He provides what we need to live ... His steadfast love endures forever."
We give thanks to the LORD for He is good. How is He good? His steadfast love endures forever. He is good when He provides help in this life, and hope for eternity. The LORD does both, to help us here and save us for the future. We give thanks for this life. We give thanks for the struggles, which force us to rely on the Lord and we give thanks for the eternal home in heaven Jesus wins through His victory on the cross and over the grave. We join the psalmist, 0 Give thanks unto the LORD!
Pastor Stein
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