Today’s Bible Reading:
1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8; Psalm 136; Romans 5
Journal Entry on a passage from today’s reading:
Topic: God’s love
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 136
1 Give thanks
to the Lord, for he is good. His
love endures forever.
2 Give thanks
to the God of gods. His love endures
forever.
3 Give thanks
to the Lord of lords: His love
endures forever.
4 to him who
alone does great wonders, His love
endures forever.
5 who by his
understanding made the heavens, His
love endures forever.
6 who spread
out the earth upon the waters, His
love endures forever.
7 who made the
great lights — His love endures
forever.
8 the sun to
govern the day, His love endures
forever.
9 the moon and
stars to govern the night; His love
endures forever.
10 to him who
struck down the firstborn of Egypt
11 and brought
Israel
12 with a
mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever.
13 to him who
divided the Red Sea asunder His love endures forever.
14 and brought
Israel
15 but swept
Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea ; His love endures forever.
16 to him who
led his people through the desert,
His love endures forever.
17 who struck
down great kings, His love endures
forever.
18 and killed
mighty kings — His love endures
forever.
19 Sihon king
of the Amorites His love endures
forever.
20 and Og king
of Bashan — His love endures forever.
21 and gave
their land as an inheritance, His
love endures forever.
22 an
inheritance to his servant Israel
23 to the One
who remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
24 and freed
us from our enemies, His love
endures forever.
25 and who
gives food to every creature. His
love endures forever.
26 Give thanks
to the God of heaven. His love
endures forever.
(Ps 136 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
Each verse of this psalm is followed by the declaration, “His love endures forever.” The first
three verses express thanksgiving to God for who He is. He is the One true God,
the God of gods (v. 2), the Lord of lords (v.3), and He is entirely good (v.
1). Verses 4-9 recognize God as Creator of the heavens and earth. Verses 10-15
identify Him as a personal God, the God of Israel; the God who delivers from
bondage. Verses 16-20 show Him as the God who leads His people, protects and
brings them victory. Verses 21-25 recognize Him as the One who lifts us up by
His provision—the inheritance of fruitful dwelling and sustenance. Then the
psalmist concludes in verse 26 repeating the call to worship and thanksgiving
expressed at the beginning of the psalm, “Give
thanks.” But the reason for all this understanding of who God is and what
He has done—the answer to why, is in the
repeated refrain, “His love endures
forever.” All of this is borne of His constant, unwavering, eternal love
for you and me.
APPLICATION:
Wow! It is not just that my life and existence is owed to my
Creator; it is not just that He has provided all I need for that life and
existence; it is not just that He gives me purpose, meaning and victory in my
existence, but that He loves me forever! My response is absolutely to offer Him
my genuine thanksgiving. But more that that, may my response be to actually
receive His love for me and to allow His forever love to flow through me to
others.
PRAYER:
Worship, honor, thanksgiving, praise and love to the lover
of my soul—my God, my strength, my reason! Be glorified in me I pray through
Christ. Amen. –AP
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