“O give thanks unto the God of Heaven: For His Mercy endureth for ever!” Psalm 136:26
If anything should stand out in our lives, if anything should shoot out to make a noteworthy impact on this side of eternity, it should be our grateful song of life to the God of Heaven. Something displayed in our daily activities should mark us as “those people” that care about more than just this life. Those not in our throng should reflectively think or responsively say: “They really care!”
Have you ever heard the phrase: repetition is the key to learning? In the quick reading of the 26 verses of Psalm 136 even the untrained mind will come away noting the words “For His mercy endureth forever.” Along the way in the Psalm there are truths, insights, events, history, forth telling (all worthy of a time of thought provoking connection),but the devotional reader is left with “For His Mercy endureth forever” for it is mentioned 26 times. It is almost as if the Psalmist is saying … without this mercy of His, that endures forever ... the events of life so quickly have no life because they have no connective meaning. Mercy is the meaningful connection to Heaven.
Although, this side of Heaven has lost much of its former glory to the droning drum beat of pain and suffering; We should plan times to stop and truly enjoy the glimpses of beauty that still remain around us in this fading creation. If we have that uncanny ability to capture the essence of the beauty of His handy work in some sort of artistic medium, we shouldn't hesitate to do it; for it is an awesome form of visual or auditory praise. Please note though: The most effective and notable medium for the irresistible proclamation of Truth is the Life that is joyously merciful in the midst of the struggles of this present world.
Even though there is a Sinful Self-exaltation War raging against Heaven, believe it or not, not only are our brethren encouraged by the praising expressions of the Kings Kids, but even our enemies have an expectation of our praises. Psalm 137:3 - “For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.” Though our captures are doing their best to play their part in wearing us down by there incessant oppressive wailing; even they take a strange consolation in knowing that we still carry a song of deliverance from on High.
Understand this, our Captures are not the enemy. They are held captive also. I can not even begin to tell you the countless times a so-called enemy has joined the ranks of the Kings Kids because of the joyful song of the captive who sings in the midst of unmerciful oppression. In the midst of the pursecutor's relentless endeavor to hate, that hate was reciprocated by a joy impassioned song for the love of the God of Heaven, Who actively provides seen or unseen deliverance. Psalm 138:1 - “{Beloved may I have your attention?} I will praise Thee (My God) with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto Thee.” The whole hearted and the broken hearted effort of the seemingly most insignificant captive child of the King, can literally rattle the gates of Hell and free other captives who are being dragged closer to its gates.
Please let's not waste another day blowing our pity party horns, and donning our pity party hats. Let us trust the faithful, loving kindness of our God and lift our lives in praise and our voices in singing. Psalm 138:8 - “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” The psalmist would not make a request of God without knowing and trusting that God would do it. So here you have it:
Live Praise! Give Thanks! Sing ! Don't disappoint your brethren, nor your captures! Because "His mercy endures forever", He will personally see you through whatever moments of darkness, shame or suffering that you are experiencing. Because of His Mercy that endures beyond the vanishing point, He does not forsake the work of His own hands … you are that precious work. Sing Praise! Sing Praise! Sing Praise!
This moment of devotion is dedicated to so many, who throughout the years have continually and creatively gifted their friendship and love to the world's captives around them ...”Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Gal. 6:9 - We will see the reaping! Once our life has risen above the din and clanging of this present time ...We will find that He has been singing praises of love with us and over us.
We have captivated His heart and He has given us a song; “For His mercy endures forever!”
HLFA,
Jeff