Faith in Times of Crisis

 Psalm 136 selected verses - New International Version (NIV)

1 Give 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.

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

23 He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.

Meditation by Dr J P Hunter

This Psalm of great thanksgiving may have been a responsive reading with the congregation saying these words in unison after each sentence. Hopefully, soon we will be able to do likewise again with our congregation as the end of church building closure comes nearer. Repeated throughout this anonymous Psalm is the phrase: “His love endures forever”. The repetition made this important lesson sink in. The first verse makes clear why we should thank God: for He is good. With the events of Easter fresh in our minds, we are surely able to repeat these words. Then our Heavenly Father is described as God of gods and Lord of lords, meaning sovereign over all powers in heaven and on earth, alone able to do great wonders, creating the heavens, the earth, the sun, the moon and stars. Showing individual care and love to us as he leads his people through the wilderness and remembering us in our low estate. Yes, his faithfulness, kindness, mercy and love endure forever. To each of you and to me.

Prayer

Lord God, Heavenly Father, I come today to seek your presence, in wonder aware how great you are. 

I want to thank you for our world, for the sun by day and the moon by night. For leading us through wilderness, and remembering us in our vulnerable times. I want to thank you for my family, my life, for being your child, for your love which does not come to an end but endures forever, also to me. Amen.

Hymn Singing the Faith 82, verse 1, 4, refrain

1.O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder       

   Consider all the works thy hand hath made,             

   I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,                 

   thy power throughout the universe displayed:         

4. When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

and take me home-what joy shall fill my heart;

then shall I bow in humble adoration.

and there proclaim: my God, how great thou art:

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee:

How great thou art, how great thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee:

How great thou art, how great thou art!                         

Stuart K. Hine (1899-1989)