Psalm 136 is called by rabbis "The Great Hallel". It reveals and then celebrates the One, True God for Who He is and for what He has done for His people. To break it down a little, I've taken this from the Bible Exposition Commentary - Old Testament. He is revealed as:
- The Creator - He brings forth - Verses 1-9.
- The Redeemer - He brings us out - Verses 10-12.
- The Shepherd - He brings us through - Verses 13-16.
- The Conqueror - he brings us in - Verses 17-22.
- The Deliverer - he brings us back - Verses 23-25.
The psalmist started at the very beginning with the Creation and ended with this very appropriate verse:
26 O give thanks to the God of heaven, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!
Remember that the word "mercy" is the Hebrew word "checed", which means: favor, loving-kindness, steadfast love, grace, mercy, faithfulness, goodness, devotion. The Vine's Expository Dictionary says:
'In general, one may identify three basic meanings of the word, which always interact: "strength", "steadfastness", and "love". Any understanding of the word that fails to suggest all three inevitably loses some of its richness.'
THAT is the way our wonderful Heavenly Father responds to us! Celebrate that Truth! Here is "Stronger" by Hillsong - a celebration of the faithfulness of our God!
We went into more detail on 2 Corinthians 9 on the post for May of 2010. Today we want to look at verses 11-14:
11 Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God. 12 For the service that the ministering of this fund renders does not only fully supply what is lacking to the saints (God's people), but it also overflows in many [cries of] thanksgiving to God. 13 Because at [your] standing of the test if this ministry, they will glorify God for your loyalty and obedience to the Gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous-hearted liberality to them and to all [the other needy ones]. 14 And they yearn for you while they pray for you because of the surpassing measure of God's grace (His favor and mercy and spiritual blessing which is shown forth) in you.
When we give, we are not only instrumental in the provision of God getting to His people, but we also help create the opportunity for people to give praise, thanksgiving and worship to the One True God! They thank HIM! God gets the glory! Hallelujah! And He continues to get the glory as they watch OUR lives be blessed because of our giving! All in all, people are blessed and GOD gets the GLORY! Never pass up an opportunity to allow God to use YOU to bless someone! It is an unbelievable experience that cannot be surpassed!
We begin the Book of Ruth today. I love this account of God's great blessing on Ruth for being a blessing to her mother-in-law! She didn't have to do it, but she chose to follow the One, True God and to be a blessing to one of His own! When we bless and pray for the Jewish people, the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem, stand and watch the blessing of the One, True God literally POUR into your life! God truly blesses those who will bless Israel! THAT'S a promise (Genesis 12:3)! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
