Ruminations and Ramifications

Psalm 136

I've come to realize that sometimes I focus a lot on the severity and gravity of life. Even when I focus on the love of God, I am made even more aware of my sin, and the need for repentance. But truly, God is love, and He has manifested His love to all creatures, even those who reject Him. For those who have submitted to His authority He lavishes even more grace. Sometimes it is a good idea to just focus on His lovingkindness to us. It engenders thankfulness, gratitude, and a desire to continue on faithfully serving Him and those around us.

1Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
2Give thanks to the God of gods,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
3Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
4To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
5To Him who made the heavens with skill,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
6To Him who spread out the earth above the waters,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
7To Him who made the great lights,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting:
8The sun to rule by day,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
9The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
10To Him who smote the Egyptians in their firstborn,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
11And brought Israel out from their midst,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
12With a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
13To Him who divided the Red Sea asunder,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
14And made Israel pass through the midst of it,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
15But He overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
16To Him who led His people through the wilderness,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
17To Him who smote great kings,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
18And slew mighty kings,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting:
19Sihon, king of the Amorites,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
20And Og, king of Bashan,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
21And gave their land as a heritage,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
22Even a heritage to Israel His servant,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
23Who remembered us in our low estate,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
24And has rescued us from our adversaries,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
25Who gives food to all flesh,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
26Give thanks to the God of heaven,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

posted by Marcian @ 10:18 AM