His Mercy Endures For Ever

     Ever had one of those days when the tribulation or pain is so great, you can't make any sense of anything?  Then, that voice comes from a parent, a friend, a pastor and reminds you over and over things will be all right.  They may just be saying, "be quiet, everything is going to be ok."  They keep saying the same thing over and over and soon you begin to hear what they are saying and a peace comes over you as you are comforted in the time of your need.  I look at Psalm 136 in that way.  Psalm 136:1 says, "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."  Hebrew poetry always has two thoughts in each stanza.  In this case the second thought is the same for every verse of Psalm 136.  It simply says, "...for His mercy endureth for ever."
      No matter what is going on you suddenly come to the realization about God's mercy.  It certainly does endure for ever and even above all else that is happening in your life.  All 26 verses have the same five words over and over.  We can find ourselves in deep trouble.  It can be a new symptom in your health, it can be in the death of a friend or a family member, it can be in the time of trouble or decisions and then you find that simple thought, "God's mercy endures for ever."  This is not a limited guarantee or warranty.  This thought endures for ever.  God's grace and mercy are two of the greatest subjects to think about especially during the trials of life.  Grace is receiving something, love, from God which we don't deserve.  Mercy is holding back judgment that we do deserve but God, in His mercy, holds it back.  We look at ourselves and realize that we are unworthy for either one of these items.  There is no way that we deserve His "Amazing Grace."  Only through Christ do we have grace or mercy.  If you suddenly find yourself in a troublesome time, turn to Psalm 136 and read it slowly and notice every verse that simply says, "His mercy endureth for ever."  You will then realize that there is nothing in this life that will overpower you or hammer you into the ground because God's mercy endures for ever.  There is no evil or tribulation that will be able to knock you off your feet because God's mercy endures for ever.  So, guess what?  Praise God today for His mercy....which endures for ever.