The Psalms have brought tremendous comfort and guidance to so many for so long. Join me in taking a fresh look at each Psalm. As you read through them, I urge you to reflect, pray, and apply these devotional bits of encouragement to your own life. Today, we study and reflect on Psalms 136, 137, and 138.
Reflection 1
“His love endures forever!” Psalm 136 is an incredible Psalm of encouragement and hope. It’s a litany with a common refrain that is repeated for emphasis. For 26 verses, we read about the awesomeness of God. Then, we read the same reminder: “His love endures forever.” Remember today that whatever you are going through and wherever you are, you can never fall farther than the loving arms of Christ. He is always with you and has His eyes on you. He will catch you, carry you, and comfort you. Someone needs to hear this encouragement today. Nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. His love endures forever! He loves you always and forever!
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.” — Psalms 136:1-3
Reflection 2
Have you ever had feelings of revenge, resentment, bitterness, hatred, contempt for someone? It would not be a stretch to say that the answer for most people would be yes. Maybe everybody . Human feelings run wild, especially when we are hurt or mistreated in some way. Israel felt this way, and here in Psalm 137 we see deep feelings of revenge expressed. Many of the Psalms are joyful expressions of God’s goodness and faithfulness. We love those Psalms. But imprecatory Pslams, like this one here, are Psalms wishing evil on one’s enemies. If you read the entirety of this Psalm, you will see deep feelings of hatred, revenge, and contempt discussed. When I read imprecatory Psalms, I’m reminded how real to life the Bible is. the Bible is true to life and expresses deep, dark feelings of pain throughout. While it is important to be honest and admit our feelings, as Christ-followers we cannot be held captive by them. We need to find our way forward to healing and wholeness. Jesus had feelings, too. He was sad. He wept. He was betrayed. He was mistreated. Yet He forgave, loved, and served. Jesus wants to help you break free from the bondage of your resentment and pain. Your feelings are real and probably valid, but revenge will eat you alive. Will you be overrun by it or, will you overcome it with the help of Christ?” When you decide, He is with you to help you through to the other side. Decide to overcome resentment and bitterness today. Jesus will help you.
“Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who repays you according to what you have done to us.” — Psalms 137:8
Reflection 3
What is your need today? Pray. Do you feel low? Let God lift you up. Do you face trouble? Turn to God for help. Are you experiencing relational pain? Ask God to intervene. Do you need comfort, protection, defense, support? Trust in God to guide you, protect you, and strengthen you. David needed God’s help in all of these ways. When he prayed, God answered his prayers and emboldened his faith. What is weighing heavily on your mind? What has your stomach tied up in knots? What burdens your heart? What is on your mind at night and when you first wake up? Give it to God. Trust Him. He cares. He will help you. He will comfort you. He will strengthen you.
“When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me. Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.” — Psalms 138:3, 6-8