2nd. September. 2020. Daily Devotion.

Psalm 136:1-9
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures for ever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures for ever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures for ever.
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures for ever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures for ever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures for ever.
7 who made the great lights –
His love endures for ever.
8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures for ever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures for ever.

Each of the 26 verses in Psalm 136, ends with, “His love endures forever.” This Psalm points to God’s perfect, all-consuming, merciful lovingkindness.

If we could grasp the significance of God’s love for us, we would probably change many of our attitudes, habits, agendas, and activities. Living in God’s love would fill our hearts with thanksgiving. It would help us keep the unity of the Spirit, have empathy for each other, be more forgiving, and fill our hearts and minds with a spirit of rejoicing.

We are not immune to the turmoil, distress, sickness, and daily annoyances of life. If we could only learn to appreciate and inwardly make sense of the goodness of God through His everlasting merciful love for us, His light would erase all the dark, hidden places that cloud our true selves in Christ.

“His love endures forever.” are not merely words, they are designed to energise the whole of creation and our redemption in Jesus Christ. If we could even vaguely perceive with the size of a mustard seed that, “His love endures forever,” we might learn to love God, ourselves, and others. God’s love for us might break through our protective barriers to His grace.

Let’s close our eyes to our adversities, others’ diversities, our self-erected walls and defensive animosities. Instead, let God’s eyes of love see through our eyes and help us to live that love towards each other. Before long, His passion will become ours as our hearts overflow with thanksgiving.

A Prayer of Gratitude

Lord God, may we be grateful for our lot,
and compassionate toward all those who are
suffering every kind of distress at this
difficult time. May we hold back nothing, and
hasten to be the ministers of prayer and mercy,
like the disciples of Him who went about doing
good in times of need. Amen.

Morning Light

For this new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends.
For everything Thy goodness sends,
We thank Thee, dearest Lord. Amen.

Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian (350 A.D.)

O Lord and Master of my life, this day, give me not the spirit of laziness, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of sobriety, humility, patience and love to Thy servant.

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.