You don’t have to live very long in this world -- before it becomes painfully clear -- that nothing last forever!
The car you were so proud of when you bought it -- is spending too much time in the shop getting fixed.
Those clothes you picked up on sale -- are now in the hand-me-down box.
At home -- the roof eventually leaks; -- the appliances break down; -- the carpet needs to be replaced.
And relationships we think will endure -- often fall apart!
Nothing lasts forever -- nothing, that is -- but God’s mercy!
26 times -- we are reminded of this inspiring truth in Psalms 136.
Psalm 136 -- is a psalm of ecstatic thanksgiving.
The form of this psalm is quite unique! -- That is, the psalm is structured in a unique manner -- for the last half of every verse consists of the same phrase -- “for his mercy endures for ever.”
Like a nightingale -- which continues to sing -- no matter what the conditions around it -- so this psalm sings the praises of God over & over & over.
This psalm contains nothing but praise!
Let’s just look at the first four vss -- Psalm 136:1-4.
The psalmist continues to reveals God’s loving-kindness in three areas: --
First in all of creation; -- secondly in His mighty acts of delivering the people of Israel from Egypt; -- & third in recognizing the One true God Who provides complete salvation & victory.
In all of this we are told repeatedly -- His mercy endures for ever.
The LB says: -- “for his loving-kindness continues forever.”
The NIV reads: --”His love endures forever.”
The NLT renders it: -- “His faithful love endures forever.”
Eugene Peterson, in his paraphrase called The Message, states: -- “His love never quits.”
The dictionary defines mercy as “the disposition to forgive, spare, or pity.” -- Clearly the goodness of God is offered here as the basis for thanksgiving!
Aren’t you glad today -- that God is a merciful God?
To know that His mercy endures forever -- should give us all reason to be thankful -- in this thanksgiving season -- & all through the year!
Psalm 136 is not the only place in Scripture that we are told of the loving kindness & mercy of God toward us.
Eleven other times in the Bible -- we find the same words regarding the nature of God: -- His mercy endures for ever.
Psalm 106:1 tells us -- his mercy endures for ever.
Psalm 107:1 tells us -- his mercy endures for ever.
Psalm 118:1 tells us -- his mercy endures for ever.
Over & over & over in the Bible we learn about the mercies of the Lord.
I discovered something new this week; -- & I found it rather exciting!
In Paul’s letters to the churches -- he begins with the words: -- “Grace & peace be unto you.”
He does so in 1 Corinthians -- 2 Corinthians -- Galatians -- Ephesians -- Philippians -- Colossians -- & both letters to the Thessalonians.
But when Paul writes to Timothy & to Titus -- who are preachers -- he says: -- “Grace, mercy & peace be unto you.”
When I discovered that -- I told the Lord: -- “Lord, I think I know why You inspired Paul to add the word mercy.”
Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians & Thessalonians were written to churches.
But Timothy was written to a preacher.
“Lord, You know a preacher needs more mercy than anyone else.”
When God wrote to a preacher -- He knew the preacher had more burdens & heartaches than anyone else.
So in both 1 & 2 Timothy -- & again in Titus (another preacher) -- he said: -- “Grace, mercy & peace be unto you.”
My friends -- that applies not just to preachers -- it applies to all of us.
Churches need grace & peace; -- Individuals need mercy!
There is not a person here -- but who needs the mercy of God!
None of us deserve Heaven! -- None of us deserve the blessings of God!
So God gives us mercy -- along with grace & peace -- to people like you & me.
In fact we are told in Lamentations, chapter 3 -- “The Lord’s mercies ... are new every morning” (vss. 22 & 23).
Stop & think with me this morning -- how good God is toward you & me -- in His mercy toward each one of us: -- for His mercy endures forever.
1. God’s Mercy is Seen in Our Salvation!
Are you deep in sin? -- My friend, His mercy goes deeper than your sin.
Are you away from God? -- His mercy welcomes you into His fellowship.
No matter how far you have fallen from grace -- His mercy is sufficient.
No matter how far you have strayed -- His mercy goes a little farther.
Is your life counting for nothing? -- His mercy gives your life purpose.
Our forgiveness -- is only through JC!
The Bible says: -- “Neither is there salvation in any other: -- for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
We are told that -- “the blood of JC his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
Our forgiveness through Christ releases us from sin’s consequences.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). -- JC delivers us from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:10).
You need not carry your load of sin to the grave! --
God offers you forgiveness! --
He is a loving & merciful God to those who will accept His Son JC as their Savior!
When King David grievously sinned -- he prayed that great prayer found in Psalm 51 - “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness -- according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies -- blot out my transgressions.”
David found forgiveness -- & so can you -- as you confess your sins.
1 John 1:9 is still true -- “If we confess our sins, he is faithful & just to forgive us our sins, & to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Illus: -- A fine Christian lady saw a prostitute standing on a street corner -- & felt compassion for her.
The Christian lady walked over to the prostitute -- & in a non-judgmental manner, handed her a piece of paper, & said: -- “God loves you! -- If you ever desire forgiveness in your life, read this.”
The prostitute slipped the note into her purse -- & went on with her business.
Years later -- destitute & lonely -- the prostitute remembered the lady who smiled at her & told her that God loved her -- & she remembered the little note that had been handed her.
She dug out the note buried deeply in her purse -- & read it for the first time.
On it were written these words: -- “If you ever desire forgiveness, read Psalm 51.”
The prostitute turned to the bed-side stand there in her motel room -- found the Gideon Bible; -- she looked up Psalm 51 & began to read it.
As she did so -- the sense of shame gripped her heart -- & she made the psalm her own prayer -- & experienced God’s wonderful mercy in her own life in the forgiveness of sin.
Our God is a merciful God -- willing to forgive!
Our salvation from sin is an act of mercy & grace!
He can make all the difference in your life for now & for eternity!
Two men -- we are told -- went to the Temple to pray!
One was a Pharisee -- & the other was a publican.
The Pharisee said: - “I am thankful I’m not as he is. -- I am a good man! I do not commit all the dirty sins he commits -- & I do good things he does not do”
The publican could not so much as lift up his eyes to God -- but smote his breast & said: -- “God be merciful to me, a sinner.”
Listen to me: - if you are here this morning & you are still living in sin -- if you confess your need sincerely to God Almighty -- you will discover His mercy!
God will save any person in this church who will look up to Him & sincerely say: -- “O God, I know I am a sinner -- & I am sorry. -- Be merciful to me, a sinner.”
The mercy of God will cover every sin of your life -- for His mercy endures forever.
You may ask: -- “Are you sure, preacher?” -- And I say Yes! -- Yes indeed -- for the Bible says “God is rich in mercy” (Eph. 2:4).
2. God’s Mercy is Seen in Our Daily Lives!
When Dr. Dan Tipton was here a few years ago -- & conducted a revival for our church -- he gave me a new appreciation as to the meaning of the word mercy!
Dr. Tipton told of a family whose only son -- fell desperately ill & was rushed to the hospital -- not expected to live.
Friends gathered around & prayed with the family; -- God touched the lad & the child’s life was spared as God’s mercy was manifested.
I had always thought of mercy only as an act of forgiveness.
But I began to see & realize the loving-kindness aspect of mercy.
Mercy is much broader than just the forgiveness of sin!
God’s mercies are seen in our lives daily; -- in fact, moment by moment.
God’s mercy is realized when a sick child is healed.
God’s mercy is realized whenever a safe trip is completed -- & that is why we pray for “traveling mercies.”
God’s mercy is made known when we lay down at night with a sigh of relief at the completion of another day.
God’s mercy is realized when we have food to eat; -- fresh air to breath; -- strength for the day; -- rest in the night.
God’s mercy is seen in a sweet smile; -- in the beauty of a flower; -- in gorgeous canvas of the sky at the setting of the evening sun.
God’s mercies are around us everywhere -- if we will just stop long enough to recognize them!
And His mercy -- His loving-kindness -- endures forever!
Read through this 136 Psalm -- & see for yourself -- how at the mention of every act of God’s kindness toward Israel -- it states -- His mercy endures forever.
In Psalm 136 - the psalmist is leading the congregation in a time of worship.
As he recalls some of the outstanding acts of God’s goodness & mercy -- the congregation response by chanting -- “His mercy endures forever.”
The people are rehearsing God’s great deeds -- & worshiping Him for the great works He has done -- & saying “His mercy endures forever.”
When was the last time you looked back across the years of your life -- & recalled God’s many mercies in your behalf -- & worshipped Him by saying “His mercy endures forever”??
The better our memory -- the better our praise!
My friends -- remember -- even when your life seems to be a jumbled mess that you cannot control -- His mercy endures forever.
When you can’t find anyone to turn to for help -- His mercy endures forever.
When each day is a struggle because of illness, despair, or conflict -- His mercy endures forever.
Whenever life seems overwhelming -- you can still praise the Lord -- just as the psalmist did -- for God’s mercy is always new & fresh!
No problem can out last God’s forever mercy!
God’s heart is always overflowing with mercy!
Annie Johnson Flint knew & understood the meaning of mercy -- when she wrote that beautiful hymn: --
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater;
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase.
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
His love has no limit; -- His grace has no measure.
His pow’r has no boundary known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, & giveth, & giveth again!
3. God’s Mercy is Seen Even in Our Time of Passing!
Did you know that God will be merciful to you for as long as you live -- & even into eternity?
When you young people get old -- the mercy of the Lord will still endure.
When you middle-aged people get toward the senior years -- the mercy of the Lord will still endure.
You dear people in your 70s & 80s & 90s -- when most of life is over -- & you wonder about death & what it is like -- the mercy of the Lord will still endure!
The mercy of the Lord will be there when you go through the valley of the shadow of death -- & when somebody sits at the bedside waiting for you to go Home to be with the Lord -- for His mercy endures forever.
That beautiful 23rd Psalm -- that we all love so much -- concludes with the words: -- “Surely goodness & mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: & I will dwell in the house of the Lord (in heaven) for ever.”
Oh my friend -- when cancer eats up the body -- as it may be for some of you this morning -- His mercy endures forever.
When you come to the valley of the shadow of death -- His mercy endures forever!
When you cross the chilly Jordan & go into the presence of our Lord -- His mercy endures forever.
When we rise to meet Him in the air -- His mercy endures forever.
When we see Him face to face -- His mercy endures forever.
When we go through those gates of pearl -- & walk the streets of gold -- His mercy endures forever.
My friends -- you need not fear -- for His mercy endures forever.
There may come a day when you shall lay in a bed wondering if death is near -- but remember, His mercy endures forever.
You may be setting in a wheel chair -- wondering if you will ever walk again -- but remember, His mercy endures forever.
It may be that God is going to let you be deaf & you will never hear the song of a whippoorwill again -- but His mercy endures forever.
It may be that God will allow pressure to come into your life -- until you think you can no longer handle it -- but His mercy endures forever.
When we say His mercy endures forever -- we are saying that it never ends -- & nothing can stop it! -- You are never outside of God’s mercy!
When the kingdoms have crumbled for the last time -- His mercy endures forever.
When dictators & terrorist have waged their wicked battles for the last time -- His mercy endures forever.
When the stars have fallen from the sky -- like the leaves from a tree in the fall of the year -- His mercy endures forever.
When the sun refuses to shine & the moon has turned black -- His mercy endures forever.
When in a land where people shall die no more -- & cemeteries shall no longer dot the country-side -- His mercy endures forever.
In that day when shoulders shall never stoop -- nor brows wrinkle -- nor faces become creased -- His mercy endures forever.
When all of us who have experienced His saving grace -- shall awake in His likeness to live forever around His throne -- His mercy endures forever.
My friends -- why not trust in something that will in fact out last this old world! -- Trust & believe in the mercy of God! -- For His mercy endures forever! -- For all of time & all of eternity!
When D.L. Moody was rushed home to Massachusetts after a sudden illness during a western crusade -- he said to his son -- “Earth recedes -- heaven opens before me. -- If this is death, it is sweet. -- There is no valley here. -- God is calling me, & I must go. -- This is my coronation day. -- It is glorious.”
When John Wesley laid dying -- he opened his eyes looking up into the face of his brother Charles -- & said: “The best of all is God is with us!”
In the words of the Apostle Paul -- I say to you today: -- “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Thanks be to God which gives us the victory through our Lord JC.”
For my dear friends -- when you come to the valley of the shadow of death -- we have that blessed promise -- His mercy endures forever!
Conclusion:
This week is Thanksgiving! --
For many it will mean a day of family gatherings, turkey, dressing, & pumpkin pie. -- Can you smell it?
But will you take time -- to recognize the goodness of God?
The goodness of God is the basis for Thanksgiving!
With the psalmist -- declare loudly & clearly -- “His mercy endures forever!”
Mercy is grace, loving-kindness, & steadfast love!
His loving-kindness continues forever; -- His love endures forever.
His faithful love endures forever. -- His love & mercy never quits.
His mercy is seen in our salvation -- in the forgiveness of sins.
His mercy is seen moment by moment -- & day by day -- in our lives.
His mercy is seen even in the time of our passing from this old world -- & through out all of eternity. -- His love endures forever.
Are you in need of God’s mercy in your life today?
The writer of the NT book of Hebrews -- gives us that great invitation -- “Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. -- There we will receive his mercy -- & we will find grace to help us when we need it” (4:16 NLT).
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
His love has no limit; -- His grace has no measure.
His pow’r has no boundary known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, & giveth, & giveth again!
Won’t you come today -- & experience His grace & His mercy in your heart!