Psalms 136:1
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Many of us are beginning to act on our New Year’s resolutions from today. The celebrations are over, and our responsibilities await us. We are bursting with excitement that this year is going to be the greatest yet, with our hand-picked goals and desires planned in advance. However, this one resolution should be our priority – giving thanks to the Lord. This habit develops into a lifestyle and will not fail like some of our other resolutions.
When we abound in thanksgiving, our lives become meaningful, shaped by a recognition of God’s enduring mercy. Our days may either start with joy or an anxious stream of thoughts. In any case, like the psalmist who begins and concludes with gratitude, we too can choose to end each day by thanking God for everything. Each verse in this psalm recounts the experiences of God’s chosen people, from creation to entering the promised land, reminding us of His ongoing faithfulness.
This psalm begins with the attributes of the God of gods, followed by the plagues in Egypt, and concludes with the exodus. Every verse ends with the recurring phrase ‘For His mercy endures forever.’ The emphasis on God’s mercy demonstrates how God sustained His chosen people. Despite their many flaws, the loving Father brought them out of slavery in Egypt to inhabit the promised land. God’s mercy is abounding towards His children, which is why we give Him thanks. As His beloved children, our testimonies always recount God-given blessings and miracles.
Among our various resolutions, let’s persevere as we abound in thanksgiving to the Lord this year. Only He can help us finish this year and the many years ahead successfully.
