Psalm 136: Nurturer

Friday, July 28, 2017

The last two verses of this psalm circle back to  the subject of creation. As Master Designer, God takes care of His stuff.  And why wouldn't He? I've crafted a few things in my lifetime -- clothing, wall art, creative writing, children -- and I guarantee you that I take better care of my creations than somebody else would. My stuff is special to me. 

So out of His unending love, God provides nourishment (as well as other things) for His creatures. God provides spiritual food for us as well. 

Man does not live by bread alone. But by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4

One time when I was a girl, I went to feed my little dog, Mau. I got a can of food from the cabinet and placed it, unopened, in his bowl. "There you go, little boy." He cocked his head and looked at me as if to say, "what good does THAT do?" And he was right. I could give him a hundred cans of food -- lots of nourishment. But since he had no way of opening the container, he could die of starvation. 

God's not like that. He gives us spiritual food in ready-to-feed packages (the Bible, church services, classes, music, etc) equipped with a can opener (the Holy Spirit) to give us access to it. He wants us to grow and thrive. 

Our response to God our Creator, Lord, Deliverer, and Provider? We give thanks to the God of heaven for His love endures forever. (Psalm 136:26)

Psalm 136

¹Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.

⁴ to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.
⁵ who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever.
⁶ who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.
⁷ who made the great lights— His love endures forever.
⁸ the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever.
⁹ the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.

¹⁰ to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt His love endures forever.
¹¹ and brought Israel out from among them His love endures forever.
¹² with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever.
¹³ to him who divided the Red Sea^[a] asunder His love endures forever.
¹⁴ and brought Israel through the midst of it, His love endures forever.
¹⁵ but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea; His love endures forever.

¹⁶ to him who led his people through the wilderness; His love endures forever.

¹⁷ to him who struck down great kings, His love endures forever.
¹⁸ and killed mighty kings— His love endures forever.
¹⁹ Sihon king of the Amorites His love endures forever.
²⁰ and Og king of Bashan— His love endures forever.
²¹ and gave their land as an inheritance, His love endures forever.
²² an inheritance to his servant Israel. His love endures forever.

²³ He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever.
²⁴ and freed us from our enemies. His love endures forever.

²⁵ He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever.

²⁶ Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.