Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 136:1)

The Mercy Of The Lord Endures Forever

There is a characteristic of God that is unchanging and eternal. Man is a sinful creature. God chose to save His creation in the garden when Adam and Eve disobeyed His command. Satan deceived the woman to eat of the forbidden fruit, and she gave some to Adam. They knew immediately they were naked and, in shame, hid themselves from the presence of the Lord. God punished the man and woman, but in consequence of sin came the hope of salvation through the Seed promise. Throughout the ages of time, God’s mercy is shown to sinful man time and again.

An unknown poet is overwhelmed with the mercy of God. He writes a striking psalm that declares, over and over, that the mercy of God endures forever. Twenty-six times in his psalm, the psalmist reminds his readers of the everlasting mercy of God. This refrain is couched within the framework of God’s goodness, creation, power, judgment, and grace to remember the lowly state of man. To understand God is to give thanks because He is good, the God of gods, and the Lord of lords. The benevolence and rule of God are endless.

Understanding the mercy of God begins with thanksgiving. Three times, the psalmist declares the thanksgiving of God for who He is. God is good. Everything God does is good. He provides all the needs of man. The world is the testimony to the provisions of God. These blessings cannot come from the gods of men. Thanksgiving comes from God because He is greater than the gods. He is Lord of lords, ruler of all nations, and victorious King above all kings. The mercy of the Lord endures forever through thanksgiving.

Creation declares the glory of God. The great wonders of the power of God to make the heavens and form the earth below declare His mercy is everlasting. Stars fill the night sky, declaring the power of God to establish order in the universe, as the sun rules the day and the moon the night. All of the expanse of the universe is created by the hand of God for His glory. The heavens testify to the mercy of God that it is everlasting. Everything remains as it was from creation. If God can create such a world, His mercy is assured and guaranteed through the same word.

The history of Israel stands as a monument to God’s mercy. God chose the Hebrews, not because they were a mighty people, but because He loved them. His mercy was extended to them through His power, delivering them from Egypt. The ten plagues declared the glory of God. On the final night of the plagues, God struck the firstborn of the Egyptians, including their animals. Pharaoh relented and let the Hebrews leave. God brought His people out with a strong hand and with an outstretched arm. When Pharaoh tried to destroy the Hebrews, God destroyed his army in the Red Sea. Israel passed through the midst of the sea because the mercy of God endures forever.

During the wilderness wanderings, God showed His mercy toward His people when He struck down great kings, including Sihon, King of the Amorites, and Og, King of Bashan. Israel never lost a battle in war because of God’s mercy. The only battle lost was when Israel rebelled against the Lord at Kadesh-Barnea. God’s mercy is a powerful testimony to His rule over the nations of men. Jericho would fall by the power of God. The mercy of God is the army of the Lord fighting the battles for the saints. It endures forever.

Canaan was given to Israel through the mercy of God. It was a heritage from the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God rescued His people from their enemies and provided all blessings to the nation of Israel. The mercy of God is everlasting. There is reason to give thanks to the God of heaven for His mercy. His benevolence gives food to all flesh. There is nothing more to say than to give thanks to the God of heaven, for His mercy endures forever.