Thankful For God’s Mercy

Text: Psalm 136

Introduction

Quote: “So much has been given to me that I have no time to ponder that which I don't have.”—Helen Keller

What is one word that describes the unnecessary repetition of something? ANS — Redundant

There is a phrase mentioned 26 times in this Psalm???

“For his mercy endureth for ever”

The word “mercy” is used nearly 250 times in scripture.

Could there be a verse in scripture contain more weighty matter than describing the nature of God’s mercy?

Both Psalm 135 and 136 are believed to have been written by Hezekiah. Psalm 135 describes moments of Israel’s history of idol worship. Psalm 136 speaks of the wisdom of worshiping the one true living God.

Aren’t you thankful that you have the opportunity to place your faith in a God who’s mercy is eternal???

Hebrews 13:15 “15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

Why should we elevate to God our praise of thanksgiving? Not simply because he exists. It is because He is eternally worth!

1) God’s Mercy Call’s Us To Be Thankful

A. His mercy endures forever because He is good

The Psalmist explains how God’s goodness is manifested in His mercy.

To speak of God’s mercy is to speak of His “grace” and “lovingkindness.”

Mercy given is only as bright as its backdrop!

God’s mercy shines the brightest due to the darkest moment in history being the cross Jesus hung on.

Luke 23:43 “43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

Quote: (John Phillips) “This love and mercy outshines the sun and outlives the stars.”

B. His mercy endures forever because of His greatness

Someone is only as great as their nature will allow them to be.

What about God’s nature?

I love what Moses told the Israelites — Deuteronomy 7:7–8 “7 The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: 8 But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”

So, why does He love you? Just because he does! He needs no other reason!

He is the “God of gods”

He is greater than all of the fallen angels including Satan himself!

1 Corinthians 8:4–6 “4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”

He is the “Lord of lords”

Many dark earthly rulers have risen and fallen. Many empires have come and gone. Suffering, sorrow, war, famine, oppression, injustice, misery, etc. have covered the globe. HOWEVER, the Lord of lords in his eternal mercy has set boundaries on it all!

Quote: “The pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts—nevertheless, [they] set aside a day of thanksgiving.”—H. W. Westermeyer

Read the pages of history and then turn to the pages of prophecy…Jesus is coming again!!!

When the dark lord “Satan” is dealt with, the God of gods will continue His reign for eternity!

2) God’s Mercy Causes Us To Be Thankful

The psalmist will now inform us what God has done that reflects the nature and endurance of God’s mercy.

A. He alone created all things (v4-9)

Colossians 1:16 “16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

From the largest of mamals to the tiniest of insects, all creation pays tribute to the fact God’s “mercy endureth for ever.”

(v5) Every star was hand placed by our Father.

Illustration: like every detail from the brush of a painter.

If you get the strongest telescope to look into space, do you know what you find? MORE STARS.

And to think God has given us the stars and galaxies to measure His mercy by.

(v6)God is the one who pulled up the dry land out of the waters.

There was a time when water had no restraint and covered the earth.

Without God’s power, the water would reclaim its ancient domain.

There was a time when the fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven where released and God flooded the earth.

Today we have a rainbow which promises that will never again be allowed.

Do you know what the rainbow says? “HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOR EVER”

(v7-9) Now we are pointed to observe the sun and moon.

(Sun) No one could every of dreamed of such a giant reactor that generates heat and light at an amazing rate of efficiency.

It radiates about seventy thousand horsepower per square yard every second. John Phillips, Exploring Psalms 89–150: An Expository Commentary, vol. 2, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2012), Ps 136:7–9.

The time it took me to mention those facts, it has consumed 12,000,000 tons of gasses.

Millions of years could pass yet God has ensured us that life on earth will never be without the sun.

The division of time into days, months, and years is ruled by the sun.

(Moon) While the sun is the great reactor, the moon is the great reflector. Even though the sun becomes absent, it’s rays are thrown into the darkness of earth.

The ocean’s tide level is controlled by the moon.

The movement of the sun can be deduced from the stars.

Think of the mathematical precision of their movement. If there were no such order, what a chaotic universe it would be. We would never know for sure the length of a day or be assured of the coming of a season. John Phillips, Exploring Psalms 89–150: An Expository Commentary, vol. 2, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2012), Ps 136:7–9.

Without such precision everyone of us would be left with chance, disorder, and confusion.

These things speak to the fact the God’s mercy “endureth for ever.”

B. He alone redeems us

a. He first speaks of how God delivered Israel (v10-15)

(v10) God’s took the life from every firstborn of Egypt.

Whether that be a baby in a crib, a boy playing out in the yard, grown man plowing the field, or a grandpa in the rocking chair.

MERCY??? YES! This did not happen until God demonstrated His power and pity nine times. It could have been far worse.

Even in God’s wrath, His mercy is shown.

(v11-12) Jesus speaks of a salvation much greater than that of what God did in Egypt.

John 10:27–29 “27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”

The greatest outstretching of God’s arms was when Jesus’ arms were outstretched on the cross!

(v13-14) The pillar of cloud and fire; the towering walls of water held back.

God’s mercy provided them with a baptism symbolic of separating them from the old way of life.

(v15) God’s mercy demonstrated that unbelievers cannot do what believers can do.

All tyrants will soon meet their doom! History always bears witness to that.

He waits until the furthest point before striking them down because He is a merciful God who has chosen to love the rebel before the foundation of the world.

Ephesians 2:4–5 “4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

b. He speaks how God directed Israel (v16-22)

(v16) He led them around the Sinai Peninsula which has been described as “the long way around but the shortest way home.”

This path was meant to develop and discipline them.

The other path was full of things they were not ready for.

He fed them, gave them water, empowered them to win many victories, and even provided rest along the way.

God also was very longsuffering — murmurings, complaints, unbelief, etc.

(v17-20) How could slaying kings be an act of mercy? Seems to be more of an act of judgement?

These kings stuck fear into anyone who would defy them.

These were believed the remaining “nephilim” kings; giants created through the overreach of fallen angels. They roamed the world during the pre-flood era.

God riding the world of such wickedness would be like a doctor cutting out a cancerous tumor.

(v21-22) God gave a title deed of the land between the Nile and Euphrates river to Israel.

It was deeded to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Many world powers have been after it: Pharaohs, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans.

Those who fight against keeping this land away from Israel is hindering the healing of the nations.

There will be a day when God in His rich mercy will smite the rulers who are in the way.

(v23) Who is thankful we don’t have a forgetful God?

Did God forget Israel after a 400 year bondage period in Egypt?

What about the time spent in Babylonian captivity?

What about rough 2,000 years since Jerusalem was sacked by the Romans?

When society sets a standard by which you are remembered, God never forgets those who are his through faith in His Son in-spite of our current circumstances.

God never forgets those He loves!!!

(v24) God is never left to wonder how to rescue His people.

(v25) He cares for all of His creation

Matthew 10:29–31 “29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

3) God’s Mercy Continues Forever

Notice how the Psalmist said in v26 “unto the God of heaven.”

He did not say the God of Israel.

He did not say the God of the tabernacle or temple.

Our thanksgiving is directed upward to the God above who is abundant in mercy for all!

God’s mercy will continue if every age to come. Even the eternal one with those who will live forever with Him.

Will you dwell for eternity in the presence of the one who is merciful?

Hell is a place absent of God. Therefore, no good thing will be in reach for those who die having not trusted Christ as Savior.

What things are eternal should be very important to you!

Luke 6:36 “36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”

“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.”—Unknown

“Giving thanks is not a matter of feeling thankful, it is a matter of obedience.”—Joni Erickson Tada (she is quadriplegic)