Psalm 136:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”
We are living in unprecedented times as our lives have turned upside down due to the COVID-19 health crisis and the financial fallout. Thousands have been infected, hospitalized, near death or have died as a result of the virus. Many have lost jobs or their income has been decreased due to the change of people’s behavior, as most are following our leaders’ guidance to stay at home and practice social distancing to help stop the spread of the virus. We are faced with much change as we navigate our “new normal,” living in isolation, missing our families and friends, and doing life differently.
Although we may be facing loss, we also have much for which to BE THANKFUL. We have “extra” time to spend with our kids, our spouse, and our pets. We may have gained new technology skills, such as using video conference tools, to connect with classmates, teachers, congregations, and friends and family. We may have gained perspective — seeing life from a new viewpoint often helps to prioritize our time, finances and energy.
There is ALWAYS something for which to be thankful. If you need a jump start to get your thanksgiving juices flowing, check out Psalm 136. This psalm is chock full of the wonders of the Lord and each verse echos “His love endures forever.” When I meditate on this psalm, I can’t help but give thanks to the Lord because it describes the supremacy of God and provides examples of God as our creator, deliverer, rescuer, redeemer, sustain-er, justice-giver, guide, warrior, miracle maker, and provider.
I challenge you to open your Bible or your Bible app and just read aloud Psalm 136, and let the 26 verses encourage you today. Know that whatever it is that you are facing right now, God is able to meet every need as He is above all and He alone does great wonders. Indeed, His love endures forever.
I thank God for his love and all he has done and is doing for us. This virus is terrible and I pray for everyone but in spite of all that is going on I “PRAISE HIM” for all the blessings that he has bestowed upon us and for making a way for us to spend eternity with Him.
Indeed. We have many blessings! I’m so thankful that God is a Way Maker and that we will spend eternity in His Presence if we believe Him.
AMEN!
I heard Terry Muessen (700 Club) saying today that she heard a news commentator comment that “we don’t have much to be thankful for right now;” and of course, Terry’s response was “that commentator needs to visit a third-world country”. She began to name some of the ways we are blessed in the USA, starting with going to our sinks, turning on the faucet, and instantly getting clean water. So as you reminded us, we always “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”
Sometimes we take common things for granted. When we don’t have electricity or clean water or indoor plumbing, then we appreciate it. Having an attitude of gratitude takes practice, and it is worth the effort.
We do have so much to be thankful for! I’m thankful that it’s not been a rainy, gloomy looking day. The sun has been shining and being in the warmth of the sun and the sunlight has lifted my spirits. I know the pollen is crazy but the sun is still shining!
Sunlight helps to lift my spirit too. It’s been a very dreary and wet winter.