I had to share the Psalm that I read this morning, Psalm 136. I was captured by the repetitive line: His love never quits. As you read through the Psalm you will notice it is repeated after every single sentence. This phrase confirmed what I was already reflecting upon this morning: that we don't need to be afraid of our future, because no matter what happens in our life, God will always be present with us. The rhythm underlying the course of our lives, is His love never quits (or in other versions His mercy endures forever). Not only does this phrase underline the story of our lives, it lasts beyond the momentary troubles of our lives - it endures forever; when everything is said and done, the weight of what remains will be His love.
Below is the prayer that accompanied this Psalm found in Daily Prayer:
Remember us, O God, and shape our history,
form our inward eyes
to see the shadow of the life-giving cross
in the turbulence of our time;
for his sake who died for all,
Christ our Lord.
Psalm 136 (MSG)
Thank God! He deserves your thanks.
His love never quits.
Thank the God of all gods,
His love never quits.
Thank the Lord of all lords.
His love never quits.
4-22 Thank the miracle-working God,
His love never quits.
The God whose skill formed the cosmos,
His love never quits.
The God who laid out earth on ocean foundations,
His love never quits.
The God who filled the skies with light,
His love never quits.
The sun to watch over the day,
His love never quits.
Moon and stars as guardians of the night,
His love never quits.
The God who struck down the Egyptian firstborn,
His love never quits.
And rescued Israel from Egypt's oppression,
His love never quits.
Took Israel in hand with his powerful hand,
His love never quits.
Split the Red Sea right in half,
His love never quits.
Led Israel right through the middle,
His love never quits.
Dumped Pharaoh and his army in the sea,
His love never quits.
The God who marched his people through the desert,
His love never quits.
Smashed huge kingdoms right and left,
His love never quits.
Struck down the famous kings,
His love never quits.
Struck Sihon the Amorite king,
His love never quits.
Struck Og the Bashanite king,
His love never quits.
Then distributed their land as booty,
His love never quits.
Handed the land over to Israel.
His love never quits.
23-26 God remembered us when we were down,
His love never quits.
Rescued us from the trampling boot,
His love never quits.
Takes care of everyone in time of need.
His love never quits.
Thank God, who did it all!
His love never quits!
As the prayer and the Psalm above capture, it is okay for us to stop and reflect every moment of our lives through the fact that His love never quits. That underlying echo will shape what we do and who we become. Praying you can hear that echo today.
In Christ,
Thank you for this encouragment - I needed to read this today and what a beautiful thing to be reminded of and focused on... His love never quits.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing Psalm! :) I want this reality to soak deep to my core! God bless you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI agree. I desire to see this in my core. Jaime
ReplyDeleteLove this! It reminds me of this song that I have been listening to over and over and over again.
ReplyDeleteJeremy Riddle - One Thing Remains
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtmSbWGjluk