It was a wonderful trip to San Jose this week to attend our son’s graduation ceremony.

There was a time when getting a degree, especially a master’s hood meant so much to me.

Watching our son’s hooding ceremony, I was surprised to realize that I’ve lost my desire to pursue that again.

Me, the lifelong student (which I still am) am finally coming to embrace that it is God who teaches me through the guidance of His Holy Spirit.

That is not to diminish such important work at the University level (especially for our son). He gave me a wonderful Christmas gift by posing for a picture with his arms around his parents in full regalia! Proud parent moment!!!

Many times, healing arrives when I can “shake off” life-long pursuits, especially if that pursuit kept me from seeing God’s first and foremost place in my life.

In this passage, the phrase “for his steadfast love endures forever” is repeated 26 times. The Psalms are a book of poems or songs. When the Psalmist repeats a phrase it is to emphasize its truth. This is true beyond a doubt: the Lord’s steadfast love endures forever.

Verse 15 rejoices in God’s protection of Israel when they escaped the bondage of Egypt. He actually shook off the thing that held them captive (which was Pharaoh and his host).

Are there strongholds holding you back from freedom? What does God need to shake off of your life? Falsehoods grip and control us, God’s truth releases and frees us to love ourselves and others.

As I thank the Lord for his character of steadfast love this week, I am encouraged by those in my life who remind me of how much God not only does battle for my mind but crowns my life with His love and compassion.- Teresa #Sabbathrest

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

Psalm 136English Standard Version

136 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

⁴ to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁵ to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁶ to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁷ to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁸ the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁹ the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

¹⁰ to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹¹ and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹² with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹³ to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁴ and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁵ but overthrew^[a] Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁶ to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

¹⁷ to him who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁸ and killed mighty kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁹ Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁰ and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
²¹ and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
²² a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

²³ It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁴ and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁵ he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

²⁶ Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

a.Psalm 136:15 Hebrew shook off