Podcast (daily-devotion): Play in new window | Download | Embed

Psalm 136:10-16  

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 wilderness;
His love endures forever. 

When a person tells me that a particular song has too much repetition my standard response is: “Have you ever read Psalm 136?” Twenty-six times the psalmist wants us to repeat, “His love endures forever.” Twenty-six times we are to proclaim the wonder of God’s enduring loyal love. Why? 

Someone has well said that we need to be reminded more than we need to be taught. Everybody loves new bits of information, a new nugget of knowledge. Knowledge comes dressed up like spiritual growth but it is a dreadful imposter. It’s the movement of truth twelve inches down from the head to the heart that changes the course of a life. 

The psalmist drives home each one of God’s actions with the underlying reason. He acts because He loves us. He not only struck down the Egyptians and parted the Red Sea, but God so loved the world that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for your sins and mine. That’s a love that should never stop being celebrated.

Father, thank You for Your enduring, loyal love. Help me to express my gratitude continually in my heart, in my head, and with my hands. In Jesus’ name. Amen.