The astonishing range and reach of God’s love
Daily Scripture
Psalm 136:1-9
1 Give thanks to the LORD because he is good.
God’s faithful love lasts forever!
2 Give thanks to the God of all gods—
God’s faithful love lasts forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of all lords—
God’s faithful love lasts forever.
4 Give thanks to the only one
who makes great wonders—
God’s faithful love lasts forever.
5 Give thanks to the one who made the skies with skill—
God’s faithful love lasts forever.
6 Give thanks to the one who shaped the earth on the water—
God’s faithful love lasts forever.
7 Give thanks to the one who made the great lights—
God’s faithful love lasts forever.
8 The sun to rule the day—
God’s faithful love lasts forever.
9 The moon and the stars to rule the night—
God’s faithful love lasts forever!
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Today’s reading is a sampling from the start of the great Hebrew poem we call Psalm 136. The psalm’s astonishing portrait of God’s goodness moved the scholar J. A. Motyer to write, “His status would by itself inspire awe; his creatorial works, marvel; his power evident in history, submission; his goodness, gratitude. But when we see that all these greatnesses spring from an unchanging love which delights to manifest power in mercy and provision, then the Lord is truly acknowledged with wonder, love and praise.” * All 26 stanzas of the poem or hymn ended with the strong affirmation that “God’s faithful love (Hebrew hesed) lasts forever.”
- Hesed is “one of the most important words in the Old Testament…a Hebrew word translated as ‘faithful love’….the word occurs twice in God’s self-revelation to Moses (see ‘loyalty’ in Exodus 34:6-7). It’s a one-word summary of God’s character.” ** Above all else, the grand story of the Bible is the story of a God who loves us with a tireless, durable, embracing, never-ending love. Spend some time prayerfully savoring and reflecting on the words Motyer used to describe the psalm’s message, and how they apply to your walk with God: “awe, marvel, submission, gratitude, wonder, love and praise.” What moments, events or relationships have made God’s astonishing, unchanging, faithful love most real for you?
Prayer
Lord God, in “wonder, love and praise” I thank you that everything you do in my life springs “from an unchanging love which delights to manifest power in mercy and provision.” Amen.
GPS Insights
Mary Beth Compton
Mary Beth Compton serves as the Director of Operations & Community Life at Resurrection's Leawood location. Mary Beth is grateful to work alongside the team at Leawood and enjoys learning in her role every day. She is married to Mark, and their 3 sons have been her greatest teachers. She loves walking in nature and going to the movies.
The range and reach of God’s love is so astonishing that it can be hard to comprehend. It can be hard to understand and some days hard to believe. For me, on many days, it can even be hard to remember. Especially when I am so busy thinking.
Fortunately, the beautiful Psalm 136 is tailor made for the way my brain works. It’s written for the human conditions we all share—worry, fear, doubt, despair. Psalm 136 uses repetition to tell me, to reassure all of us, over and over, that God’s love will outlast and triumph over any of our earthly challenges. No matter the anxiety, grief, loneliness, or hopelessness we face, “God’s faithful love lasts forever.” This powerful line can serve as a calming antidote when we are lost in thought about the very real struggles of life.
I am so worried about my mom and her Alzheimer’s Disease.
God’s faithful love lasts forever.
My daughter just received a diagnosis and I fear for her future.
God’s faithful love lasts forever.
I still can’t believe my spouse is gone. My grief and loneliness feel too big to go on.
God’s faithful love lasts forever.
My family member is fighting a terminal illness. I am terrified. We have lost too many people the past few years.
God’s faithful love lasts forever.
I am overwhelmed by my son’s mental health struggles. I don’t know what to do.
God’s faithful love lasts forever.
I am ashamed and alone. I blame myself and my addiction.
God’s faithful love lasts forever.
Will I ever find another job? The financial stress is overwhelming.
God’s faithful love lasts forever.
Name your worry, your fear, your grief.
Feel the comfort of the Holy Spirit as you breathe deeply and remember:
God’s faithful love lasts forever.
© 2024 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* J. A. Motyer, comment on Psalm 136 in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1994, p. 577.
** J. Clinton McCann, Jr., sidebar note “God’s Faithful Love” in The CEB Study Bible. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2013, p. 845OT.
