Sep 24, 2023 “Giving Thanks”(Psalm 136:1-16)

Psalm 136:1-16 New International Version
1 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[a] 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 wilderness;

His love endures forever. 

Giving Thanks 

Psalm 136:1-16 

Next week is Chuseok which is when Koreans find reasons to be thankful. 

In Psalm 136 we read a psalm that God's love endures forever. The first verse states, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good." This asks the question, can be thankful because God is God.  

There are some shows which prank rich couples by the husband saying that he lost his job. This has led to actual divorces because some of the wives only married because of what they could get. 

The same can be true with Jesus. Do we love Jesus for who he is or what he can give us.  

In God's providences not just experience God's blessings but also suffering and struggles.  There are reasons why problems and difficulties come our way, and sometimes it is for a good that would not have happened unless the sorrow and pain came. 

to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever; and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever; with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever; and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever; but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever; 

Psalm 136:10‭-‬16 ESV 

In these verses we read that God is with us and has done great things and is continuing to work with us. God was with the Israelites when they were in slavery and when they were freed. 

God's love is eternal. He is with us on our path. He is with us at this moment, and this is enough reason to give thanks. 

He Knows My Name

Great Big God

Blessed Be Your Name

Here I Am To Worship