Psalm 136

God. Abba. Father.

Thank you, Lord, that your love never fails. Like a waterfall or the ocean waves, your love goes on forever. Your love never quits. Your love never ceases. You don’t give up. You don’t resign. You don’t forget your promises to us. Our friends, our family, our co-workers, our neighbors might abandon us in a nanosecond. But you won’t ever drop us.

You are the One True God. You will always be on our side. You are always for us. Thank you.

As the psalmist remembers your faithfulness in the ancient days, we choose to recall your goodness to us. When we were young and needed someone to care for us, you gave us parents. They weren’t perfect, but you took care of us through them. When we yearned to be taught, you gave us teachers. They too were flawed, but your instruction is what is written on our hearts. When we needed work, you gave us jobs. Sometimes those assignments were at the bottom of the career ladder, but you provided more than enough. When we were perplexed, you gave us clarity. When we were hungry, you fed us. When our hearts longed for companionship, you gave us spouses and caring friends. When we were angry or depressed, you have given us your perfect peace.

When we examine closely our journey, we see that you have performed supernatural miracles on our behalf, just as you did for the family of Israel in ancient times. You have stretched out your loving arms of grace for us. You have brought us through seasons of great storms and choppy waters. You have led us through our empty deserts or times of confusion as we wandered through our own wilderness.

You were with us when we have had plenty and when we have had little. You have rescued us when we were bound up by our enemies or our own foolish choices. Yes, you have set us free!

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Your love is generous. It is gracious. It is kind. You are so good to us.

We praise you today.

Through Jesus.

Amen.