S) "26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting."
Psalm 136:26 (NASB)
O) This psalm repeats the phrase, "For His lovingkindness is everlasting." 26 times, as it follows the initial statement of each verse. In v.1, we are told, "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good," and it is followed by 24 accomplishments of God. That is, 24 different reasons to, "give thanks to the LORD," and yet, that is not actually how each verse reads. Each verse implores that we give thanks to God, describing who God is, and that we are to give thanks for one, primary reason, "For his lovingkindness is everlasting." So, v.26 is the summarization of the entire psalm.
A) There is a curious happening when I read this psalm. Because of the repetition of the second line, I had a tendency to skim it - barely acknowledging what it said. I noticed it about a third of the way through reading. I realized that, because it's repeating, my human nature is to overlook it, taking it for granted. I was prone to think I knew what it was saying. But, here is the beauty of this psalm - it's repeating that line to combat that nature. It repeats the driving force of our thankfulness, 26 times, so that we can come away from this verse seeing one very important point: above all else, above every other reason to love God, above every other reason to be thankful for who He is, and what He does for us, we are to be thankful because His lovingkindness is everlasting. I cannot let that become monotonous. I cannot let the grace of God, which does not end, become something that moves out of my focus, or out of my notice. I need to let it be drilled into my head, until I cannot ignore it.
A) There is a curious happening when I read this psalm. Because of the repetition of the second line, I had a tendency to skim it - barely acknowledging what it said. I noticed it about a third of the way through reading. I realized that, because it's repeating, my human nature is to overlook it, taking it for granted. I was prone to think I knew what it was saying. But, here is the beauty of this psalm - it's repeating that line to combat that nature. It repeats the driving force of our thankfulness, 26 times, so that we can come away from this verse seeing one very important point: above all else, above every other reason to love God, above every other reason to be thankful for who He is, and what He does for us, we are to be thankful because His lovingkindness is everlasting. I cannot let that become monotonous. I cannot let the grace of God, which does not end, become something that moves out of my focus, or out of my notice. I need to let it be drilled into my head, until I cannot ignore it.
P) Father, Thank You for the grace and mercy You have shown me, for Your lovingkindness is everlasting. Let me continually be aware of Your goodness, unable to ignore Your greatness, for Your lovingkindness is everlasting. May I worship You continually, with every part of my life, for Your lovingkindness is everlasting. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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