I saw something wonderful even as I read today's devotion - Psalm 136.
After every sentence, the Psalmist punctuates this Psalm with "For His mercy endures forever"
"Mercy" in Hebrew is "chesed" meaning lovingkindness, unfailing love, steadfast covenant of love and is similar to the NT word "grace".
This means that no matter what kind of evil things happen to us, God's love and mercy toward us remain unchanging and constant and because of this we can be assured that He will work out everything for our good!
Its not just because we love Him and are called according to His purpose that God will work all things out for good but it is also because of His covenantal love and mercy toward us. He will always love us no matter what we are going through!
Situations in which we can declare that His mercy endures forever:
1. The greatness of God's creation
Verses 1 - 9 speaks of the goodness of God, the wondrous works done by Him, the wisdom by which heavens were made, the great lights sun, moon and stars.
When we speak of such wonderful things done by God, it is easy to declare "For His mercy endures forever"
2. The greatness of God's deliverance
Verses 10 - 15 speaks of God's great deliverance for His nation. Egypt's firstborn was struck, Israel was brought out of Egypt, the Red Sea was divided and Pharaoh and army overthrown into the sea.
Was it easy for the children of Israel to declare when facing all these things "For His mercy endures forever".
I don't think so.
Remembering how the children of Israel complained against Moses while at the shores of the Red Sea, I think they were an utterly angry and ungrateful group of people. They scolded Moses and Aaron for bringing them out of Egypt to die!
A most unlikely lot to declare at the edge of one of the greatest event in history "For His mercy endures forever".
Yet God declared that He did this all out of His great mercy and out of His covenantal love for Israel!
How easy it is for us to complain when we face troubles. Perhaps it is time to declare when we are facing problems, "For His mercy endures forever" in the situation that I am going through rather than complain and grumble "Why Lord?"
Surely our great deliverance is coming because of the enduring love of our God!
3. The reason for the wilderness in our lives
Verses 16 - God led His children into the wilderness. What did they do in the wilderness? Were they happy with Him?
On the contrary! They complained non-stop, no water to drink, no meat to eat, no leeks, no melons, no onions, no new clothes to wear.....blah...blah...non-stop complaining.
What do we say when facing the testing or the wilderness of our lives? Do we say His mercy endures forever or do we complain "Lord take us out of here" or question God "Why Lord why?"
I guess when facing my osteoarthritis I must learn not to complain but to say this "For His mercy endures forever". This affliction will work out for good! Surely it will work out for good because He loves me!
4. The assurance of victory against the enemies of our soul
Verses 17-22 speaks of God defeating the following enemies of Israel i.e.Sihon, Og and great kings in the wilderness.
I recall how the children of Israel complained before even going into the promised land. They were not prepared to fight the giants let alone visualize defeating the kings in the wilderness.
Did they declare "For His mercy endures forever" at that point in time? Certainly not.
They complained and asked Moses why they were led out to the wilderness to face the giants. They looked to themselves and felt that they were grasshoppers compared to the giants in the land!
Finally God proved them wrong and gave them
"their land as a heritage". This is the reason why God said "For His mercy endures forever"!
5. The hope of deliverance and help from God when we are facing tough times
Verses 23-26. Despite being in a low estate, despite being under bondage of their enemies, despite not having food to eat, the Psalmist saw all this happening for a purpose. The purpose was for God to demonstrate His mercy and His covenantal love towards His people though answered prayers!
This morning (21 Sept) I also read the same scripture in 2 Chron 20:21. When Jehoshaphat was facing a great army of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, he consulted the people, he declared a fast and rallied his people to seek the Lord and he appointed the singers to lead the nation into battle.
What did the singers do? All they did was just "sing to the Lord and who should praise the beauty of holiness".
However unlike the children of Israel, Jehoshaphat had trained his people to confess God's word and not to complain about the situation or the problem.
They declared "Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever".
Can you see this? A different scenario a different group of people, yet their confession was different. They looked to the mercy and love of God rather than complained against their leaders. Jehoshaphat had taught his people well!
I can certainly learn something precious about this Psalm and the story of Jehoshaphat that I can apply in my life. If bad and sad things happen to me, I am assured by God's word that God's love will endure forever towards me even in the midst of the bad things happening. To have such an assurance is sufficient for me!
In His time, God will work out His mighty deliverance!
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