Giving Thanks at All Times - Pt. 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; 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; to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever; and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever; with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever; and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever; but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; and killed mighty kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever; and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever; and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever; a heritage to Israel his servant, for his steadfast love endures forever. It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136 ESV).

 

Our reading today is a bit lengthier than normal. Part of the reason for that is how the psalmist simply doesn’t end the sentence until the 23^rd verse! However, the other is a bit more practical in our application. Each of these verses carry with it a reason why we may trust the truth of the chorus: …for His steadfast love endures forever.”

 

Using the same experience as the first three of this devotional series, let me continue with a story from how Mary and I  moved to North Carolina to be geographically closer to Faith and Logan. It began with an innocent conversation with Kyle soon after their birth. Mary was still staying in North Carolina helping with some of the chores of raising two premature babies. Kyle called and began with a report of how well everything was going, though I could tell he had something else entirely on his mind. After a bit he asked, “Dad, why don’t you and mom move to North Carolina? We would love for y’all to be close to us. I would sure hate for you to miss any of the things they will do as they grow.” Well, he was right. Both David and Aaron were grown and out of the house and Mary and I could take our skills and find employment as easily there as where we were. Well, the wheels started moving quickly. Our house sold quickly, we found jobs in North Carolina quickly, we secured housing there quickly. It was an easy transition. What I didn’t know was how all the “puzzle pieces” of my life were coming together into a plan for God to do so many things in our lives.

 

We did see all the “firsts”. As you can see from the picture I’ve attached, we even saw them ride their first “rocking horse.” By the way, Kyle and I made that for them. What a joy spending time constructing it together with him; and then seeing the joy on their faces as they played with it was just added blessing. Yes, there were hard things too. Life is often littered with both joy and hardship. Just as the psalmist writes each of the experiences leading to the declaration that God’s love endures forever, so today we can learn from both good and bad that we are never left alone and every experience is used for our good.

 

I think you will see that in the coming days, as I share more of this part of the journey. Today, make your list of experiences, and look back at the journey through the lens of God’s faithful presence and provision. See if you don’t come to the same conclusion that His love does indeed endure forever!