[God] remembered us in our low estate
                                     His love endures forever.

And freed us from our enemies.
                                     His love endures forever.

He gives food to every creature.
                                     His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of Heaven.
                                     His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:23-26

Psalm 136 is a psalm that tells the story of God caring for his people, the people of Israel. Starting at creation and working through to their (noun) of the Promised Land, the psalmist wrote a song to sing so that Israel would not forget what God has done for them. He exhorts his people to be completely and utterly thankful to God for what he has done for them.

But there is something else that he reminds the Israelites, and us, of in this psalm too. There is a phrase that is repeated 26 times in this psalm. His love endures forever. God’s love endures forever.

Since the beginning of creation, to rescuing his people from the Egyptians, to defeating their enemies, to inhabiting the Promised Land, God’s love was always with his people. There was not a moment when his love grew cold, or even lukewarm. God still loves his people.

The exodus was the major salvation event for the Israelites, when they were saved from slavery to Egypt. But they, and us needed a different salvation event. One that would free us from our slavery to sin. One which came about 2000 years after the exodus. It came through Jesus Christ, his death on the cross for us, freeing us from slavery to sin and bringing us back to God. And throughout history, from creation to Jesus’ death, God’s love endured. At the cross, we can see that God’s love endures forever.

And it is still enduring. It is still being shown to us in all the little blessings we receive each day. And it is still enduring as it is share with the people of this world who don’t follow Jesus yet and as they turn to follow him. It is still enduring as we encourage and love one another to serve God with soft hearts together.

And one day it will be revealed. When Jesus returns we will be taken home to be with our Heavenly Father who loves us now and forever more.

Grow Deeper

Read all of Psalm 136. Why should we give thanks to God? How is God’s love shown to his people? How can we read verses 23-26 as Christians, after Jesus’ death and resurrection?

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your enduring love that lasts forever. Thank you that despite my sin and rebellion, your love endures. Thank you that your love endured the sins of many before you dealt with sin once for all on the cross. I pray that I can share this love with others around me so that they can join me in praising you.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.