PSALM 136
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever…
It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Good times, hard times, challenging times: we all live through them. We are bruised and buoyed by them. As the year turns from the heat of summer through the beauty of fall into barren winter, I find myself turning inward in reflection. It's good for me that autumn holidays fall when they do in our calendar. Gloomy and gray weather feeds my natural inclination to hibernate until spring beckons me outdoors again. I can get lost in my thoughts, which is never a good thing. Being lost anywhere makes it difficult to get home, but being lost in thoughts almost inevitably leads to anxiety because my own thoughts only drive me in circles.
Better than being lost in my thoughts is to ponder the goodness of God and dwell in a position of gratefulness. The Psalmist provided a pattern for such pondering, all steeped in the gift of God's steadfast love.
Begin with who God is: God of gods and King of kings.
Then consider the great wonders he has done: made the heavens and earth above the water, created the great lights, moon and stars to rule the night, and protected his people, Israel from kings and pharaohs.
This is the God who remembers me, rescues me, and provides for me. Give thanks!
How could I not be grateful when I consider his grace, gifted by his steadfast love that endures forever?