READ Psalm 136:10–16. 10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt His love endures forever. 11 and brought Israel out from among them His love endures forever. 12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever. 13 to him who divided the Red Sea asunder His love endures forever. 14 and brought Israel through the midst of it, His love endures forever. 15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea; His love endures forever. 16 to him who led his people through the wilderness; His love endures forever.
AND WONDERS OF HIS LOVE. “His love endures forever” is repeated. But why “love”? Don’t his righteousness and power endure too? None of the attributes of God can be understood without the others. Still, Paul hints that while God’s greatness can be logically deduced from the created world (Romans 1:20), God’s love is a complete surprise and wonder. Looking at the human heart and history, you would never conclude that God loves us. But he does! Paul asks for help to grasp not God’s righteousness but “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:18). God’s love is his most amazing trait, and likewise love should be his followers’ most evident mark (John 13:35). Is it yours?
Prayer: Lord, the mark of a Christian is love, and so I should be known as a loving person not just by friends but also by acquaintances. I confess that this is not true. With your Spirit eat away at the reasons for this—my overbusyness, my pride, and, yes, my fear of being too vulnerable. Amen.