Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1)
God’s never-ending, always dependable love towards us fuels our worship for Him. In this psalm of thanksgiving, the writer travels through parts of Israel’s history noting examples of God’s loving acts towards His people from the creation of the world (v5), to His judgment towards Israel’s enemies (v15), to His commitment to lead His people despite their grumbling and rebellion (v16), to graciously giving them a land they did not earn.
After the psalmist reflects on God’s loving acts, his response is thanksgiving. As God’s people living on the other side of the cross, we see His steadfast love in His incarnation as the Second person of the Trinity became human. We see it in His death on the cross to be our Savior from sin and death. We witness it in His Resurrection that we too have new life. And we anticipate the demonstration of His love when He returns to right every wrong and establish His perfect Kingdom which we are citizens of.
As you reflect deeply on the steadfast love of the Lord, let it fuel your love for God and your neighbor. Let it fuel your love towards your family, friends and co-workers. Let His love be your motivation to share Jesus with others because He first loved you.