Discover His heart: “His faithful love endures forever.”
@ Psalm 136
Psalm 136! The perfect Psalm to read during the Thanksgiving season. Thanksgiving is the day we commemorate the early settlers of our great land who paused after a bountiful harvest to celebrate and give thanks to God for His blessings. Unfortunately, we would be hard-pressed to discover to whom they were giving thanks if searching through our current history books. The honoree is seldom mentioned.
Abraham Lincoln, the President who proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving, had no qualms about giving thanks where thanksgiving was due: “I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” (Washington, D.C., October 3, 1863) Amen!
The writer of Psalm 136 was proclaiming thanks with an overflowing heart of praise and gratitude, and there is no doubt he knew who should receive the praise and thanksgiving as well, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever.” (1-3) His praise, too, went to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.
In verses 4-9, God received thanks for the miraculous creator that He is. Verses 10-16, He is honored for His faithful guidance through the challenges of life. His protection and powerful rule are praised in verses 17-22. And in verses 23-26, God received thanks for His personal blessings to our lives – His mercy, salvation and provision. Each word of thanks is followed by yet another attribute of God for which to be thankful, “His faithful love endures forever.”
Our early pilgrims had survived a year of hardship and trials, but when they came through it, they were grateful to the One who had blessed them with His faithful provision. In the midst of Civil War, Abraham Lincoln paused to give thanks to His beneficent Father. And we, regardless of the struggles we may be facing should offer praise and thanksgiving to the One who will see us through to victory.
As we express our thanks for our country, our family and our friends, let’s thank Him for being our miraculous Creator. Let’s thank Him for His faithful guidance, His protection and His blessings. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below…” (Doxology)
Moving Forward: Blessed beyond measure and so very thankful for His faithful love, I praise Him today, tomorrow and every day!
Tomorrow @ Ecclesiastes 9-10
Phyllis Benigas 