Scripture Focus: Psalm 135.13
Your name, Lord, endures forever, your renown, Lord, through all generations.
Psalm 136.1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
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Reflection: Does Forever Include Me?
By Parker Smith
How long is forever? That is a question often asked but rarely answered. The psalmist reminds us that the Lord endures forever. His name endures forever, His renown endures forever, and His love endures forever. That last phrase is repeated in all twenty-six verses of Psalm 136.
We often try to measure “forever” scientifically. For the psalmist, however, the enduring love of God is measured by His intervention on Earth. One would almost expect a description of God’s activity before creation or a prophetic revelation of what is to come. However, the psalmist uses specific events when describing God’s enduring love. He begins with creation (136.5-9) and works his way through several high points in Israel’s history. All of this culminates with God’s general remembrance of humanity (136.23-25).
The endurance of God’s love is measured by God’s relation to humans. The question, “How long is forever?” can only be understood in terms of God’s loving protection, which never ends. God didn’t stop intervening in people’s lives any more than God stopped loving people.
In the same way that God’s love for us will never end, our worship to God should never end. The psalmist urges us to praise God (135.1) and give thanks to God (136.1-3). The hard part, often, is remembering all of the ways He has intervened for us. God’s blessings on the Earth are still flowing today. “Forever” is measured by God’s enduring love for humanity, stretching from creation to the present.
God still “remembers us in our low estate” (136.23) when we cry out to Him. He still “frees us from our enemies” (136.24) when we ask in faith. He still “gives food to every creature” (136.25) big and small. In the same way, we should still “give thanks to the God of heaven,” (136.26). Why? Because his love endures forever. And forever includes yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
We might not be any closer to figuring out how long eternity is, but we at least have a point of reference. God is still creating and God is still remembering. As long as there are humans to be loved, then “forever” isn’t finished yet. As God’s children, we can spread God’s enduring love. The next time that you pray in thanksgiving to God, remember to be thankful for what He’s still doing in your life today. Because, yes, forever includes you!
Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
O Lord, what are we that you should care for us? Mere mortals, that you should think of us?
We are like a puff of wind; our days are like a passing shadow. — Psalm 144.3-4
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Today’s Readings
Isaiah 61 (Listen 2:23)
Psalms 135-136 (Listen 4:23)
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