"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1)
My Beloved Greenwood,
Today we stand together in the rich legacy of faith that has been passed down through generations. We gather in the spirit of those who’ve come before us—who prayed in the fields, who sang in the cotton rows, who endured hardship with hope, and who knew that God's goodness was always present, even in the darkest of times. Psalm 136:1 reminds us that the heart of our faith is to give thanks, to recognize God's unshakeable goodness, and to declare that His love endures forever.
1. A Command to Give Thanks: The Psalm opens with a simple command: “Give thanks to the Lord.” When we say "thanks," we're acknowledging that we’ve received something. To give thanks to God is to recognize that every breath we take, every day we live, is a gift from Him. In the Black church, giving thanks is more than a ritual. It's a testimony of survival. When our ancestors faced chains and struggle, they found ways to give thanks—through song, through prayer, through worship. Their thanks was rooted in knowing that even when they couldn’t see the way forward, God was with them, and His goodness would see them through.
In our own lives, we can follow that same example. We may not always have everything we want, but we have what we need. When the road is long and the journey is hard, we can still give thanks, for God is good, and His love endures forever.
2. The Goodness of God: The verse doesn’t just tell us to give thanks; it gives us the reason why: “for He is good.” Let’s pause right there. We often talk about God’s goodness, but let’s think about what that means, especially in the context of our own history and experiences.
God’s goodness isn’t just about material blessings, though He provides for us. God’s goodness is His character—it’s who He is. From the time of our ancestors who endured slavery, through the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement, and even in the struggles we face today, God’s goodness has been the steady anchor. His goodness doesn’t change based on circumstances; it is rooted in His eternal nature. When we look back at our history, at how He has sustained us as a people, we see the goodness of the Lord. Through storms, through trials, through oppression, we have known His goodness. He has been our shelter and our strength. And just like He delivered the Israelites from Pharaoh’s hand, He has delivered us time and time again. His goodness has been with us through it all.
3. His Love Endures Forever: The final phrase of Psalm 136:1 says, “His love endures forever.” This is a declaration of God’s unchanging, everlasting love. In the midst of suffering, it’s easy to wonder where God is. But His love is not fleeting; it endures forever. When the world told us we were nothing, God’s love reminded us that we are His beloved. When systems tried to tear us apart, God’s love was the bond that held us together.
For many of us, we’ve lived through seasons of struggle—personal, communal, and societal. But the love of God has been the thread that has held us together. It is that love that carried our forebears through the worst of times and it is that same love that carries us now. We are not alone. God’s love has never left us, and it will never leave us.
4. A Call to Action: This verse calls us not just to receive God’s love and goodness, but to respond with thanksgiving. Brothers and sisters, how will we respond? How can we embody the goodness and love of God in a world that still needs His light? In our families, in our communities, in our church, let us be a living testament to His goodness. Let us show the world that the love of God endures—through our acts of kindness, through our service, through our prayers, and through our joy. We are called to be carriers of His love and to share it with others, just as it was shared with us.
Conclusion: So today, let us give thanks to the Lord. Let us recognize His goodness in the midst of it all and declare that His love endures forever. And may we be a reflection of that love to the world around us, sharing His goodness wherever we go.
Let us pray:
Lord, we thank You for Your unchanging goodness. We thank You for Your love that endures forever, even through the trials of life. Help us to always recognize Your presence and Your hand in our lives. May we continue to walk in Your goodness and share Your love with the world. We give You all the glory, honor, and praise, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Reflection Questions:
What are some moments in your life when you have experienced the goodness of God?
How can you show gratitude for God's goodness today?
In what ways can you embody God’s enduring love in your community?
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