FOREVER, ENDURING LOVE

Abby Fifer

Central Truth

Thank the Lord because His love does endure forever, and it is never ceasing! We need to be thanking Him every day!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
(Psalm 136:1)

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

1 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;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew^{1

136:15
Hebrew shook off} Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

17 to him who struck down great kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant,
    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.

Footnotes

[1] 136:15 Hebrew shook off

Too often we forget how great and powerful our God is! We are too distracted to realize what amazing things God has put all around us. We forget to thank Him for all the beautiful and wonderful things He's given us! In every verse of this passage, it says that "his steadfast love endures forever." How amazing is that?

Sometimes, when you hear this truth, it may not always sink in. But if you really think about it, the God of the universe loves us! God's love has always been here and always will be! But in the midst of knowing this, we don't always think He loves us and is doing everything out of love for us. Verse 4 begins, "to him who alone does great wonders." Only our Savior can raise a man from the dead, heal a blind man, calm the seas, and save us from our sins. His power is so amazing, yet somehow we don't always feel safe in His arms. Sometimes we feel like He isn't even there. Verse 12 tells us, "with a strong hand and an outstretched arm; for his steadfast love endures forever." God wants us to be with Him. The GOD OF THE UNIVERSE wants to be with YOU, and He loves YOU! If that isn't worth thanking Him for, then I don't know what is! Our God is so amazing, and He is always there for us; yet, we tend to forget to thank Him and trust Him.

Each verse in this passage shows that God is loving, caring, and all powerful. He isn't a dictator who will punish you for everything you do wrong. He is our Heavenly Father who sent His Son to save us! This passage has really opened my eyes to how I should be more thankful.

Using these examples, I want to encourage you to think about what the Lord has given you and thank Him for it every day. It will open your eyes to what God has blessed you with and why you should be thanking Him!

1. What are some things you should be thanking the Lord for every day?

2. How can you be challenging yourself to show others God's great love for us?

3. Where can you be challenging yourself to be more thankful toward God?

4. How can you make time to spend more time with God to really speak to Him and learn more about His love for you?