Attitude of Gratitude - Pt. 3

All good things must come to an end---or so we have been taught to believe.

But what if I told you that there was one thing that didn't come to an end?  And that this one thing assured that all of the really good things don't have to come to an end either...  What would you say to that?

Check out this verse from the book of Lamentations in the Bible...

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

Another way to translate that verse is "his mercies--his loving-kindnesses---never come to an end... they are renewed every morning." 

What if Lamentations read something like this:  "The wrath of God never comes to an end... it is renewed every morning..." 

That doesn't sound all that awesome does it? 

If you listen to the sermons that are being preached across America today in countless churches, you would think that God is angry... that God is vengeful... that God's wrath is renewed against us each and every morning. 

But nothing could be further from the truth. 

Psalm 36 is an amazing prayer.  For thousands of years, this psalm has been sung, recited or prayed by the people of God in gratitude to all that God has done and continues to do for the people of God. 

This psalm is called The Great Hallel or the Hallel al Gadol and it is recited communally in the Jewish tradition at the high holy days, but most importantly at Passover. 

There is one line that gets read over and over again throughout the 26 verses of Psalm 136:   His love endures forever. 


This psalm reminds us that no matter what good things have come to an end---we don't have to be afraid. God's mercy, his lovingkindness will never run out.  

And because of this knowledge, we also have hope that even the good things that seem to always be ending--these things have a different kind of shelf life in the kingdom of God. 

May you embrace this life-giving and restorative truth, and may it fill you with thanksgiving on this day and every day forward.  And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and always. Amen.