(Looking forward to the scriptures of VBS this summer – today is Psalm 136:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”)

Lord – we know that You are Forever – not that we can wrap our heads around that – but it does sound so much more promising than the world around us now. Well, to be honest, we should admit that the world has always been broken since Adam and Eve and especially Cain and Abel. One was an act of defiance (and falsified ignorance) and one an act of violence (over the anger of having to sacrifice) – and both were not trusting that the Lord was telling us certain things for our own good – and both were not heading to God requests that would require sacrifice. Us too – we must be acknowledging our complete commitment to and dependence upon God.

There is no way that God won’t love us – but that comes with Him teaching and demonstrating love in His way – we barely can understand the mechanisms let alone the motivation of the Lord especially to make an ultimate sacrifice – the sacrifice of Jesus with Jesus accepting this as His Divine Role – but these are all fitting for a sacrifice in LOVE. 

We too are called to sacrifice – but with purpose – not just go without – without giving the energies or gifts SOMEWHERE ELSE – not sacrifice as a martyr to OUR particular cause. But God asks us to sacrifice for HIS cause – and causes – to show others LOVE – to demonstrate that we understand what going without means for their benefit – not for later retribution or “gimme backs” – but for the purpose of continuing to show the LOVE of the LORD – because HE will provide all that we need – and that is His Love. 

Love can be a one way street but like a traffic circle where the traffic continues going around and around and giving the push from the back and springing you forward – you have to make the leap of faith and join the swirl – the path – the flow – then deciding which is your exit to share Love in a new place…  Love is fueled from God – from behind – and during the present now – and for then forever forward – because God’s Love never wasn’t a thing – God’s Love is forever back and forever forward – the beginning and the end which never changes – that is the LOVE (which is mercy) forever – in an unfathomable but palatable blessing.

Mercy and Love are used interchangeably between some of the bible translations – but in this instance of Psalm 136 – trying to understand God’s path for the old testament people, the mercy is LOVE and the LOVE is in God’s Mercy – both are true. and Truth is God too – fully true and fully forever. May we stop our defiance and ignorance and follow You Lord – because You are already in our Forever.

Amen – forever…

Psalm 136
New King James Version *where the word mercy is in place of love which is the word used in the NIV*
Thanksgiving to God for His Enduring Mercy

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy (love) endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy endures forever:

To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who by wisdom made the heavens,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who laid out the earth above the waters,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who made great lights,
For His mercy endures forever—
The sun to rule by day,
For His mercy endures forever;
The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His mercy endures forever.

To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn,
For His mercy endures forever;
And brought out Israel from among them,
For His mercy endures forever;
With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who divided the Red Sea in two,
For His mercy endures forever;
And made Israel pass through the midst of it,
For His mercy endures forever;
But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who led His people through the wilderness,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who struck down great kings,
For His mercy endures forever;
And slew famous kings,
For His mercy endures forever—
Sihon king of the Amorites,
For His mercy endures forever;
And Og king of Bashan,
For His mercy endures forever—
And gave their land as a heritage,
For His mercy endures forever;
A heritage to Israel His servant,
For His mercy endures forever.

Who remembered us in our lowly state,
For His mercy endures forever;
And rescued us from our enemies,
For His mercy endures forever;
Who gives food to all flesh,
For His mercy endures forever.

Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!
For His mercy endures forever.