As Psalm 136 draws to a close, the pray-er is reminded that Yhwh is not a god locked up and stuck in the recesses of history. The pray-er gives thanks to Yhwh because Yhwh is still active in his life that day. The pray-er is actualizing God’s never-ending love as His love continues to move forward through time and history. The pray-er from ancient times is swept up by Yhwh’s grace, and you are too!
What’s even more amazing is that the God of all gods, the LORD of all lords, the Almighty Creator of the universe and all the earth actually remembers us! God is never too busy to hear your prayers. God is never too busy to attend to your needs. The pray-er remembers that even when God’s people were “down and out” He came in action and rescued them from their foes. [1] God created you, therefore you are extremely special to God.
God has rescued you from the foe of foes—Satan, the powers of sin, death, damnation, and the grave itself. Since He’s already accomplished this for you, do you really think that He would forget about you? Jesus died on the cross with your name upon His lips. Think about this: if you were the only person on earth Jesus still would have gone to the cross for you.
136:23-24 is the continuation of Israel’s story—Israel’s history. And notice that the Most High God is still active and working in the life of His people. The continuation of Israel’s story is now viewed through God’s Window of Jesus, the New Israel. You are a participant in this plan of God. He’s grafted you into His New Israel through faith in Christ alone.
Yhwh is still the Giver to all people today, not only Christians. The Christian actualizes His blessings through faith and responds to God accordingly. God still loves all His creation, even those who continue to reject His Savior.
The Apostles’ Creed[2] is an ancient creed of the Christian Church. It is still confessed in Christian churches today. The First Article (or statement of faith) of the Creed focuses on God as Father as the Creator who remains active in His world today. Like the pray-er of Psalm 136, God’s modern people actualize His ongoing blessings and steadfast love on a daily basis. The Christian recognizes these and gives God thanks each and every day. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther writes this explanation concerning the First Article in his Small Catechism:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
What does this mean?
I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.
He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life.
He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil.
All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.
This is most certainly true.[3]
[1] James Luther Mays, Psalms, Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Louisville, KY: John Knox Press, 1994), 420–421.
[2] The word ‘creed’ comes from the Latin credo. The ‘o’ = ‘I’. “Cred” = believe. Squish them together and credo means “I believe.”
[3] Luther, Martin. Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation – 2017 Edition (p. 133). Concordia Publishing House. Kindle Edition.
A Redeker Respite 