“O Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. And His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 136:1
I remember this as the standard prayer our family would recite together after a meal. Very often I would just say it rote, wanting to go out quickly and play and get on to another activity now that my belly was full. But occasionally, I would take in the words and recognize the fact that my hunger had been satisfied and I had the energy to go on to live and enjoy life. I’m not sure how many of us remember to say a prayer before a meal to give thanks to God for what He has provided, but I imagine that far less remember to say a prayer after a meal has been received. This is true for me personally. I suppose I’m appreciative for God’s gifts when I feel hungry, but how I forget to be grateful after that same hunger has been satiated. I hope to change this going forward.
The Psalm is perfect! We give thanks to the Lord because He is good. He alone satisfies our physical and emotional wants and needs, but more so, has satisfied our greatest needs which are spiritual. He has forgiven our sin. He has restored us. He has empowered us to live the true life He has planned for us. He gives us hope for a real future in the promise of life everlasting. It is good and right that we pray for such blessings and that we give Him praise after we have received them.
All of these gifts are not just in the temporal world, but hold with them the fact that such mercy given to us today, will be given even in greater measure forever. Life everlasting is ours, beginning today! We have a feast waiting in the Kingdom of God that will be ever satisfying and never ending. Whenever we receive a meal we should ponder this truth as it inspires us to give the proper thanks and praise our great God deserves. This is all because of the fact that He is good and merciful, now and always!
(Read the entire Psalm 136 and count your blessings from God!)
Know that you are loved!
Peace and Joy,
Pastor Kilian
