Forever mercy

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.   — Psalm 136:1

You don’t have to live very long in this world before it becomes painfully clear that nothing lasts forever. The car you were so proud of when you bought it is spending too much time in the shop getting fixed. Those clothes you picked up on sale are now in the hand-me-down box. At home, the roof eventually leaks, the appliances break down, the carpet needs to be replaced. And relationships we think will endure often fall apart.

Nothing lasts forever — nothing but God’s mercy, that is. Twenty-six times we are reminded of this inspiring truth in Psalm 136. Twenty-six times the writer gives us something for which to praise the Lord, and then he reminds us, “His mercy endures forever.”

Think of what this means. When we sin and need forgiveness, His mercy endures forever. When our lives seem a jumbled mess that we can’t control, His mercy endures forever. When we can’t find anyone to turn to for help, God’s mercy endures forever. When each day is a struggle because of illness, despair, or conflict, His mercy endures forever. Whenever life seems overwhelming, we can still praise the Lord, as the psalmist did — for God’s mercy is always new and fresh.

No problem can outlast God’s forever mercy!     — Dave Branon

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;

To added affliction He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace. — Flint

READ: Psalm 136:1-9

God’s heart is always overflowing with mercy.

The Bible in one year:

• Jeremiah 47-49