2. The LORD’s Mercy Doth Endure Forever

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Hymns: RHC 65 And Can It Be That I Should Gain? 70 Jesus, I Am Resting 360 My God, Is Any Hour So Sweet

Psalm 136

1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. 3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. 4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. 5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. 6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. 7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: 8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: 9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. 10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: 11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: 12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. 13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: 14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. 16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. 17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: 20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: 21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: 22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. 23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: 24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. 25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. 26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136:1-26 (KJV)

THE LORD’S MERCY

DOTH ENDURE FOREVER

(1) Our Cause for Thanksgiving (v1-3)

(a) His enduring goodness (v1)

(b) His unsurpassable dominion overall (v2-3)

(2) Our Comfort in Trials (v4-24)

(a) His Creative Wisdom benefits His people (v4-9)

(b) His Continual Care strengthens His people (v10-25)

(i) In the Exodus (v10-15)

(ii) In the Wilderness (v16-20)

(iii) In the Promised Land (v21-22)

(c) Realizing our utter helplessness (v23)

(d) Realizing His willingness to save us (v24)

(3) Our Confidence to Trust Him all the way (v25)

 

INTRODUCTION

The Christian’s journey through life is blessed beyond measure. It is the cause for unceasing praise, unutterable peace and unspeakable joy. The psalmist extols the “enduring mercy” of God as he reviews the history of God’s filial love for His people that will never fail. He saw the consistent thread of God’s love permeating through their lives whatever the situation may be. It is most comforting and cause for going to Him and experiencing His power to help us yet again. We are truly undeserving sinners yet He has not counted us according to our sins but made the way to pardon us. Can you say you have received His pardon? If so, as the psalmist, there is much cause for thanksgiving.

(1) Our Cause for Thanksgiving (v1-3)

       (a) His enduring goodness (v1)

       (b) His unsurpassable dominion overall (v2-3)

1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. 3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

The psalmist tells us of his good God who has never failed him. He speaks of His enduring goodness. He cherishes relationship as his Father’s child. He is filled with thanksgiving for his privileged position.

 

(2) Our Comfort in Trials (v4-24)

         (a) His Creative Wisdom benefits His people (v4-9)

4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. 5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. 6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. 7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: 8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: 9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 God alone is Creator. He uses His power to bless His people. When God made the universe, the focus was on the earth. When God made the earth, the focus was on man. All things were created for him. What great honour He has accorded to man. The sun was just at the right distance from the earth so that the climate is best suited for human life.

 In the question “Is the earth at the centre of the universe?” the Christian Scientist, Donald B. Deyoung gave a good answer from Scripture.

In the book “Astronomy and the Bible – Questions and Answers”, he said “It is popular today to deny any special recognition for the earth. Secular scientists tell us that we live on a speck of dust, circling a humdrum star in a far corner of an obscure galaxy! While this is all true, the earth remains of central importance. Scripture gives a refreshing contrast to secular thinking by declaring that earth and mankind are not an insignificant result of accidental evolution. The Book of Genesis states that our planet was created three days before the sun, moon and stars. The purposes of the stars relate directly to the earth: to provide a calendar system (Gen. 1:14) and to declare God’s glory to men (Ps. 19:1). The earth is also a universal reference point in that Christ came here to walk among men, and will one day return. An unseen spiritual battle goes on for the souls of men, focusing on this earth and extending to high places (Eph. 6:12). The earth is truly a spiritual centre of the universe.”

 We are indeed most privilege of all men having spiritual sight and possessing hope of eternal life in heaven.

 

(b) His Continual Care strengthens His people (v10-25)

                  (i) In the Exodus (v10-15)

10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: 11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: 12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. 13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: 14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.

The history of Israel at her inception is worthy of our remembrance for it shows forth the truth that we are the Creator’s privileged people. Israel was just 70 when they entered Egypt because of a famine. They left Egypt a great people.

                 (ii) In the Wilderness (v16-20)

16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. 17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: 20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:

 In the wilderness en-route to the Promised Land, they were led by the constant and consistent care of their God. “To Him” repeatedly emphasized that all honour must be ascribed to Him who did all things to bless their way – Exodus 13:21 “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.” Exodus 16:32 “And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt.”

 The enemies in the way were defeated one by one – Numbers 21:23-24 “And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel. And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong.” Numbers 21:33-35 “And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei. And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon. So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.”

               (iii) In the Promised Land (v21-22)

21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: 22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 Indeed, God had prepared Canaan for their habitation as He has promised to Abraham, to Issac and to Israel centuries before the entered the land. Israel finally entered the Promised Land and was established in the land.

 

      (c) Realizing our utter helplessness (v23)

23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

 They were weak, they could not have broken the walls of Jericho without divine intervention, they were defeated at little Ai by their own strength.

 

        (d) Realizing His willingness to save us (v24)

24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Their enemies were defeated each time they depended on Him, trusted Him.

 

(3) Our Confidence to Trust Him all the way (v26)

26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 We must acknowledge that God sits enthroned in heaven ruling, whose dominion cannot be thwarted but always reigning supreme. We align ourselves with Him and truly receive His blessings forever.

 Jesus says He will go and prepare a mansion for you and me. He will come again to bring us there.

 John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

 To believe in God is to trust in God, to trust in Christ, to rely on them, to have confidence in them. To believe something is to count it true. It is to “hold fast the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.” Our faith establishes us for it relieves the heart-trouble and replaces it with strength, courage, patience and fortitude.

 Let us endeavour our utmost to walk with Him!

 

CONCLUSION

Would you surrender yourself to Him and allow Him His way with Thee?