Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC

Psalm 136:1-4; 23-26
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 136 is known as the “Great Hallel”, meaning the great Psalm of praise. We see the call to praise reverberated throughout all 26 verses. As you read the passage you can probably see the Israelites loudly praising the Lord God as they sing this entire Psalm. Two main lines you see over and over again in the psalm is “Give Thanks” a command in the original language, and “His steadfast love endures forever”. As Israel worshipped the Lord, they recounted the Lord’s faithful love to His people from generation to generation. Because of God’s faithful love, they had a reason to celebrate, they had a reason to give thanks. For those reasons they were able to hold onto this attitude of gratitude. The same reality is true for us today. Because of the promise of God’s steadfast love enduring forever, we too can possess an attitude of gratitude in every season of life, and choose to worship the Lord. 

Perhaps if you are like me, there have been times in life where it has been hard to praise God where you are. The world is full of tragedy and brokenness. There are times when our life throws us a “curveball” and with that there comes quite a bit of uncertainty and fear that springs up in our life. You been there?  How can we as a people possess an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving to God even in seasons like those? First, we have to make the decision to reflect on the goodness of God. In light of what all may be going on in your life, the Lord has not stopped being good. Psalm 62 tells us that the Lord is a refuge for us in tough times, Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us the Lord God will never leave nor forsake us! He is with us even in the tough times. He is known as Yahweh Shammah: The Lord is there. He is with you always! He is good.

Secondly, we must choose to reflect on the graciousness of God. The Psalmist after verse four of the passage highlights the different times throughout the history of Israel that the Lord was gracious with His people. Even when they whined and complained, the Lord was still gracious to them. The Lord in His love has been so gracious to us. He has blessed us beyond measure by taking care of us. The greatest way the Lord has shown His graciousness was in sending His Son Jesus Christ to die in our place. Because of His gift, we are forgiven and free and His love for us endures forever.

May we make the choice everyday to possess an attitude of gratitude, praising the Lord in every season of life because of His goodness and His graciousness in our lives.

PRAYER FOR TODAY: Dear Heavenly Father Lord, thank you for Your steadfast love for me. Help me to reflect on Your goodness and graciousness in my life and cultivate an attitude of gratitude in every season of life. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
2 Timothy 1:12
I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.