May the mumbling commence!
I have learned over my thirty-eight years of life that repetition means that a thought is important. Hear something twice in a class? Write it down because it is important for your success in that class and perhaps beyond. We pay attention to a human teacher, so why would we ignore a divine teacher? Why would we ignore the testimony of the Bible, the Word of God?
There are many places in the Bible where repetition occurs. It is all too much of a temptation to skip those repetitious parts. In the book of Psalms, there are some Psalms that are easy to skim because they are so full of repetition. They seem boring to most of us.
But remember: repetition means a thought is important. Psalm 136 is one such Psalm. If we only give Psalm 136 a cursory skim, we will miss a true blessing. Let’s meander down the path of Psalm 136, smell the flowers, and eat of the fruit of the trees. Read it below:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights –
His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
to him who divided the Red Sea asunder
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.
to him who led his people through the desert,
His love endures forever.
who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.
and killed mighty kings –
His love endures forever.
Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.
and Og king of Bashan –
His love endures forever.
and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
an inheritance to his servant Israel;
His love endures forever.
to the One who remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
and freed us from our enemies,
His love endures forever.
and who gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.
God’s love endures forever. That is important. Here we have a Valentine from our God. How do our earthly Valentines show their love to us? They may show love with flowers or candy or a special date or a romantic get-a-way. True Valentines show their love 24-7. That is the love of God recorded here in Psalm 136.
God created the world for our benefit and His good pleasure. Oh, how God loves us – the Creator!
God frees us from the blues of oppression. Oh, how God loves us – the Liberator!
God walks with us and sustains us through our desert times of wandering. Oh, how God loves us – Source of the Bread from Heaven and Living Waters!
God makes good on His promises to us by leading us to the Promised Land of rest and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Oh, how God loves us – the Great Redeemer!
God maintains the delicate balance of creation. Oh, how God loves us – He feeds all creation!
So, how do you and I respond to this love? It is an important question. Perhaps the most important question we will answer in our lives. Let’s return the love of our great God by simple and complete obedience. For God’s plan for us is far better than anything we can plan, dream, or imagine. God is good!
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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