GET THE MESSAGE?

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. "His love endures forever." 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. "His love endures forever." 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: "His love endures forever." 4 to him who alone does great wonders, "His love endures forever." 5 who by his understanding made the heavens, "His love endures forever." 6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, "His love endures forever." 7 who made the great lights-- "His love endures forever." 8 the sun to govern the day, "His love endures forever." 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; "His love endures forever." 10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt "His love endures forever." 11 and brought Israel out from among them "His love endures forever." 12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; "His love endures forever." 13 to him who divided the Red Sea asunder "His love endures forever." 14 and brought Israel through the midst of it, "His love endures forever." 15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea; "His love endures forever." 16 to him who led his people through the desert, "His love endures forever." 17 who struck down great kings, "His love endures forever." 18 and killed mighty kings-- "His love endures forever." 19 Sihon king of the Amorites "His love endures forever." 20 and Og king of Bashan-- "His love endures forever." 21 and gave their land as an inheritance, "His love endures forever." 22 an inheritance to his servant Israel; "His love endures forever." 23 to the One who remembered us in our low estate "His love endures forever." 24 and freed us from our enemies, "His love endures forever." 25 and who gives food to every creature. "His love endures forever." 26 Give thanks to the God of heaven. "His love endures forever." - Psalm 136  

It is said twenty-six (26) times within these twenty-six verses.  It could be swept away as mere poetry but,  this is Not the only place in Scripture it is documented.  1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Psalm 117 and 118, and Jeremiah are all books of the Bible that contribute this phrase.  

When I was told to do something by my parents once they meant it.  But if I dared to put if off for some insane reason, the second time I was told contained a little more hmph behind it (if you know what I mean).  By-the-way, there was no saying it a third time.  That was instruction that turned into discipline.  There are times that is exemplified in the Bible (all the "if...then's") especially concerning the nation of Israel.

Mentioning of this particular phrase this many times is a good thing.  When God mentions something two or three times it is time to stand up, notice, and declare it to others.  Reading, hearing (as I read out loud) and getting in one's spirit that "His love endures forever" is something the whole world needs to know!

In my humble opinion, there seems to be a mentality that God's Love stopped or at least paused at Jesus' birth and death/resurrection.  We celebrate these as markers on our calendars (Christmas/Easter) to remember what He DID - past tense.  This is important and should continue.  However, there is even a more important truth to consider - "His Love Endures Forever."  

God has not stop loving any of us.  Every breath that we breathe is a gift of love from God.  If any person has stopped, it is us - stopped believing in Him, trusting Him, and loving Him for the rest of our lives with the rest of our lives.  He is faithful.  Not only is one of His personality characters faithfulness, but who He is and brings to the relationship - LOVE - is always Faithful.  God is Love.  Therefore, Nothing can outlast Love!  Jeremiah 31:3 says, "I love you with an everlasting love."  My favorite Psalm gets into the picture and adds, "My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore." - Psalm 139:17-18      

Wow!  What a mighty God I love and serve!  I can always look forward to His continual Love because "His compassions never fail they are new every morning." - Lamentations 3:22-23     

Comments

  1. I got it! :)

    I also read the phrase "His Love Endures Forever" with the Rick Warren method of emphasizing each word separately, and it really blessed me.

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