LOVE THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDS –

After the pilgrims gathered in the House of the LORD along with the priests and musicians, the congregation was now ready to worship Him for His love that brought them through many trials and tribulations. The reciting of this psalm in the Temple was done by the Cantor chanting the first line and then everyone in attendance responding with the phrase: “His grace is never ending.” The compilers of the Psalter chose to include this psalm written by David for the dedication of the tent he erected to hold the Ark of the Covenant upon its being brought to Jerusalem. It was repeated at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple. The main theme was to remember all that God had done to bring them this far, and to instill in their hearts the hope and faith that He would continue to love them, come what may.

“O Worship the LORD Eternal, for He is a good God – His grace is never ending.

O Worship the God above all gods – His grace is never ending.

O Worship the LORD above all lords – His grace is never ending.

He single handedly performed all His wonders – His grace is never ending.

He created the universe with great skill – His grace is never ending.

He spread out the earth’s surface above the waters – His grace is never ending.

He put heaven’s lights in place – His grace is never ending.

He positioned the sun to light up the day – His grace is never ending.

He hung the moon and stars to illuminate the night – His grace is never ending.

He remembered us when we were down and out – His grace is never ending.

He ransomed us from those who enslaved us – His grace is never ending.

He provides the very essence of life – His grace is never ending.

O Worship the Head of Heaven – His grace is never ending.”

Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26

Reflection: Some years ago a minister sat in his church office looking at his daughter sitting across from him, and a high school counselor seated on his left. The teenager ran away from home the week before, and the State Police returned her to the town’s police station that morning. Before she left, the girl penned a note saying that she couldn’t live up to being a preacher’s daughter; the rules proved too hard to follow. At the police station the captain informed the girl of her options: go home with her dad and obey the rules, or, go to the home for runaway girls and live by even tighter restrictions. She reluctantly chose to go home with her father, as long as he first agreed to have a meeting with the school counselor to go over the rules, to make sure they were fair. Earlier that morning, the pastor’s devotions included Romans 5:8, and the scripture that gripped his heart. So while looking at his beloved daughter he quoted what he had read, “God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” With tears in his eyes he said to his daughter, “If God was willing to do that for me, I can do no less for you. So everything you’ve done up until now is forgiven. We can start with a new slate, a new beginning.” Tears also filled his daughter’s eyes as well as those of the counselor. They hugged and went home with a new relationship. The next day the father found a note on his pillow that read, “You are the best daddy in the world.” It just so happens that I was that minister and the girl involved was one of my precious daughters whom I love dearly. When the psalmist looked back over the history of Israel, he too saw times when the Israelites proved to be less than cooperative; not living in harmony with their Heavenly Father’s wishes. Yet, His unshakable love always led Him to be a forgiving and caring God. He chose not to force His people to serve Him out of fear, or terrorize them into obedience with threats of retribution; nor did He try and win their allegiance with promises or benevolent acts. In other words, He didn’t try to buy their love or make them earn His love. So the next time someone crosses you or does not do what you want them to do in order to please you, consider this thought before you mete out retribution, “How did I feel when I came to God lost and undone asking for forgiveness, and He said, “I’ve always loved you and I always will?”