Remember and Reflect-Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is Good!

As one of the praise leaders at my church, I love when the congregation joins in as we sing praises to God. For that reason, we try to choose repetitive songs at some point so that it is easy for others to join in.

Psalm 136, known as the Great Hallel (praise), is a psalm that invites corporate praise through repetition of the phrase “For His mercy endures forever.” This psalm describes God’s mighty work for His people: Creation, Deliverance (the exodus), and giving inheritance (the land). As the psalmist recounts the goodness of God, the repeated phrase would be sung in response. The people didn’t get bored or drone on with each repetition. Instead, repeating the truth over and over had the opposite effect. They remembered God and what He had done for them.

In the same way, rehearsing phrases over and over again in your mind should cause you to focus and reflect on what is true. It is also a memory technique that helps you to recall truth when needed.

Psalm 136 invites us to remember and recall God’s mercy–His steadfast lovingkindness. When we remember and recall, we can only come to one conclusion, the Lord is good. Therefore we respond with hearts full of thanksgiving!

In Psalm 136, we see:

God’s steadfast lovingkindness in His character (Psalm 136:1-4). He is good, and He alone does great wonders. So we give thanks.

God’s steadfast lovingkindness in His creation (Psalm 136:4-9). By His wisdom, He made the heavens and earth, then filled creation with all the necessary things we need. So we give thanks.

God’s steadfast lovingkindness in His deliverance (Psalm 136:10-20). With His strong hand and outstretched arms, He delivers His children. So we give thanks.

God’s steadfast lovingkindness in His compassion (Psalm 136:21-26). He saw us in our broken condition, remembered us, rescued us, and redeemed us.

Psalm 136 has been used in corporate worship for thousands of years. And God is still worthy of praise! So, lift your voice and join in–Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever.

Have you joined us for the THANKS and GIVING challenge? We are reflecting on God’s Word and showing gratitude in various ways to help us cultivate an appreciation for all God has done.

This week, we are leveling up our challenge! It is great to practice gratitude, but it is also important to watch our words. Try to avoid complaining this week! When you complain, replace those words with praise to God for three things.

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:14-15

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

Your friend in the journey,

Erica

New from Sparrow’s Song Ministries:

Celebrate The Savior

No one has received a greater gift than Jesus. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” Jesus loves us so much that He gave His life. This is the reason we celebrate. The lights, gifts, and family traditions are all good, but let’s not forget to celebrate the Savior this season!

The Celebrate the Savior: Celebrating Jesus at Christmas 31 Day Scripture Writing Devotional Journal highlights beautiful scriptures that point to Jesus. This guided journal will help you focus on what is true and important this holiday.

Jesus truly is the reason for the season and He is the reason to celebrate.

Each page is designed to help you engage with scripture in a meaningful way. Complete with daily devotionals and lining pages, this scripture writing experience will help you remember the Savior at Christmas.

Writing Through James – Devotional and Scripture Writing Journal: Full Color Edition

How can I ‘count it all joy’ when I face hard trials?
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What do I do about my untamable tongue?
The book of James addresses these questions and much more!

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