His Loving Devotion Endures Forever (2 Chronicles 7:1-3; Psalm 135:1-21)
“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods. His loving devotion endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His loving devotion endures forever.
He alone does great wonders. His loving devotion endures forever.
By His insight He made the heavens. His loving devotion endures forever.
He spread out the earth upon the waters. His loving devotion endures forever.
He made the great lights—His loving devotion endures forever.
the sun to rule the day, His loving devotion endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night. His loving devotion endures forever.
He struck down the firstborn of Egypt His loving devotion endures forever.
and brought Israel out from among them His loving devotion endures forever.
with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. His loving devotion endures forever.
He divided the Red Sea in two His loving devotion endures forever.
and led Israel through the midst, His loving devotion endures forever.
but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His loving devotion endures forever.
He led His people through the wilderness. His loving devotion endures forever.
He struck down great kings His loving devotion endures forever.
and slaughtered mighty kings—His loving devotion endures forever.
Sihon king of the Amorites His loving devotion endures forever.
and Og king of Bashan—His loving devotion endures forever.
and He gave their land as an inheritance, His loving devotion endures forever.
a heritage to His servant Israel. His loving devotion endures forever.
He remembered us in our low estate His loving devotion endures forever.
and freed us from our enemies. His loving devotion endures forever.
He gives food to every creature. His loving devotion endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven! His loving devotion endures forever.”
The pilgrims are still on their way to Jerusalem and things are getting tough. Perhaps their sandals are wearing thin. They are hungry and thirsty and they can only hope that they will soon reach their goal. This is the time when someone strikes up a psalm reminding the pilgrims of all the good things God has already done for Israel. The same God who has delivered Israel will surely bring the pilgrims to their destination and return them to their homes safely.
“Give thanks to the God of gods. His loving devotion endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His loving devotion endures forever. He alone does great wonders. His loving devotion endures forever.” These people aren’t naïve; they know that there are other gods and other spirits claiming to be lords, but only the One True Living God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. All these others pretending to be something are simply demons trying to garner worshipers.
“By His insight He made the heavens…He spread out the earth upon the waters…He made the great lights…the sun to rule the day, the moon and stars to govern the night. His loving devotion endures forever.” All the pilgrims have to do to remind themselves of God’s miracles is to look at the sun, the moon, and the stars.
“He struck down the firstborn of Egypt…and brought Israel out from among them…with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm…He divided the Red Sea…and led Israel through the midst…but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea.” The miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from the most powerful army in the world at that time deserves celebration. Only the One True Living God can deliver in such a fashion.
“He led His people through the wilderness…He struck down great kings…and slaughtered mighty kings—Sihon king of the Amorites…and Og king of Bashan—and He gave their land as an inheritance, a heritage to His servant Israel. His loving devotion endures forever.” God wants His people to always remember the miraculous means by which He led them through the wilderness, providing food and water and protection. Unless the Israelites remember what God has already done, they will never trust Him again.
“He remembered us in our low estate…and freed us from our enemies. He gives food to every creature…Give thanks to the God of heaven! His loving devotion endures forever” Here is the triumphant conclusion of this psalm, but how long is forever?
APPLICATION: When I was about seven years old, I asked my mother to explain “forever” to me. Here is the explanation she gave: If the world was a ball of gold and every 10,000 years, a dove flew by and brushed that ball of gold with its wingtip until the gold was completely gone, that would only be the start of forever.
Frankly, it’s difficult for us to wrap our minds around the concept of eternity. The Israelites may have done a better job of it than we do because their concepts of time were more expansive. We mete out our days in minutes and hours. But no matter how we conceive of time, God’s love, His mercy, and His grace continue to endure forever. The term “endure” means to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without giving in. God’s love is not dependent on our emotions or even on cataclysmic human events such as wars. God’s love does not vary because of climate change. God’s love and mercy remain constant throughout all generations. While we might reject God, God will never reject us when we turn to Him. God is more constant than any part of His creation because stars may burn out and planets may disintegrate, but God’s love and mercy really will endure forever. Let us praise Him!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we praise You and bless You for Your unfailing love and mercy and grace. Help us to turn to You at all times and to allow You to control our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
Burunche's Blog 
Leave a comment