2 Kings 19; Hebrews 1; Hosea 12; Psalm 135-136
I have been filled with the joy of the Lord lately. It is a palpable joy-one that bubbles up from the depths of my being and breaks out in happy songs of praise-- so Psalm 136 was a perfect note to close my reading on today. I have mentioned before that I have been going through a rather difficult time in my life this year-one that I am not free to share any details about, but one that has challenged me to the core in many ways as I deal with issues of fear and faith and trust. I am convinced that it is because I shared my struggles with a select few women who have been praying with me that I have begun to grow in these areas—to have a renewed sense of joy in my circumstances. Most days the great fear is gone, and there are even more days where I am learning to put my faith and trust in God whose steadfast love endures forever.
That is the theme of Psalm 136-for His steadfast love endures forever. How many times have I read that Psalm and was so bothered by the repetitious phrase that occurs every other line that I would just skip over it. This morning I savored those words each time I read them.
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;
to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever-Psalm 136: 1-9, ESV
This is just the beginning of this wonderful Psalm. It struck me that as it goes along each little detail is something that shows God’s steadfast love and I began to think about things in my own life to add as I made this Psalm my prayer this morning.
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;
Who placed me among a people who love Him,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
Who blessed me with sons to call my own,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
Who gave me a husband who loves me unconditionally,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
Who brought me to a place with trees (you have to know me to understand this one)
for His steadfast love endures forever.
Who covered my world with a blanket of snow,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
Who has walked with me every step of the way,
for His steadfast love endures forever;
even when I was weak and struggled,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
Who has called me His own dear child;
for His steadfast love endures forever,
through absolutely no work of my own,
for His steadfast love endures forever,
but who saved me by the blood of his precious Son, Jesus Christ,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
How can my heart not sing?
Grace, peace, and mercy,
Debra