God’s Love Endures Forever

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.

Connecting to God through Music

I woke up to the lyrics of the hymn, “He Giveth More Grace” floating around in my mind. I often have song lyrics that come to my mind when I awaken, however, this time it was a hymn that I haven’t heard in many years. The lyrics are not contemporary, however, the truth of this song remains. Perhaps you remember it as well. The lyrics are as follows:

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.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure; His power has no boundary known unto men. For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth and giveth again!

When we have exhausted our store of endurance, when our strength has failed ere the day is half done, when we reach the end of our hoarded resources, our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure; His power has no boundary known unto men. For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision, our God ever yearns His resources to share; Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing; The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure. His power has no boundary known unto men. For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

The words were written by Annie Johnson Flint, one who was well-acquainted with suffering, loss, and disappointment, yet who had a rich and vibrant understanding and experience of God’s love, grace, power, strength and provision. Hubert Mitchell wrote the music to this poem in 1941, as he too received hope and encouragement from the truth of these words, after his wife died, leaving him with 6 children to care for.

Music is a wonderful way to connect to God, especially as you sing the truths of God’s character, such as His faithfulness, grace, love and peace. When I listen to and sing hymns and worship songs, it helps me to refocus on God and receive hope. Years ago, I listened to Integrity Music “Scripture on Tapes,” which was God’s Word put to music. I had been struggling with depression and could not read the Bible consistently. It helped me to memorize Scripture, although I didn’t intend to do that, by listening to the songs and singing it repeatedly, the truth of God’s Word stuck in my mind. Now I see the incredible value of Scripture memorization through the power of music and song.

I encourage you to turn off the news and turn on the radio or your favorite worship playlist and SING aloud as you focus on the truth of God’s Word.



Ever-Present Help

In the places of vulnerability and weakness, I find strength, hope and help within the truth of God’s Word and His presence. If I didn’t have a need, would I turn to God and if I didn’t turn to Him where would I find strength, hope and peace? The trials, suffering and weakness serve a purpose — it causes me to seek comfort, hope and healing, which I can always find through relationship with God. That has been my experience. Whatever the need, God is able to provide it. My job is to trust Him and watch what He will do to answer. God has supplied me with wisdom, understanding, counsel, insight, knowledge, revelation to know how to pray and what to say or do, comfort, and help. When I need help, I turn to God to supply it because He is faithful, trustworthy and able. He will not fail.

Psalm 46:1-2a says “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. . “ We can find protection and safety in God. Relying upon Him to be your strength requires humility. You have to admit that you cannot solve it on your own or that you are powerless to handle the problem. It requires trusting God to listen, hear and give you wisdom or whatever is needed.

The world is experiencing much trouble in these days, yet God is our refuge and strength. We can have hope that God’s presence is available and here, even in the midst of suffering, stress, inconvenience, economic challenge, loss and confusion.

So lean into this place of finding your refuge and strength in a mighty God that is ever-present to help us now.