Give Thanks to the LORD

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. ²  Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. ³  Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever..."

Psalm 136:1-3

It is good to give thanks to the LORD for all He has done, to show gratitude by remembrance for all He has provided.  In our giving of thanks let us not forget God is worthy of thanks and praise at all times, in all seasons of life.  The psalmist exhorts us to give thanks to the LORD because of His character, because of who He is.  He is the LORD, He is good, the God of gods, the Lord of lords, and His mercy endures forever.

Consider the rather lengthy definition of "mercy" by Webster in his 1828 Dictionary:  "That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant.  In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy.  That which comes nearest to it is grace.  It implies benevolence, tenderness, mildness, pity or compassion, and clemency, but exercised only towards offenders.  Mercy is a distinguishing attribute of the Supreme Being."  It is within God's power and right to immediately and severely punish all offenders, but His mercy endures forever.  He is gracious and slow to anger, and as a sinner I am most thankful.

I am also thankful God's mercy is extended to those who do not know God or are even in rebellion against Him.  I am glad He is patient and longsuffering, willing to endure decades and centuries of disobedience so people might repent and be saved.  Let us not make the error of mistaking God's mercy for approval of sin or that we will not be required to answer to Him for our lack of mercy towards others.  Having received such mercy from God, let us be thankful when we are divinely helped to extend it to others.  Thank God for being such a benevolent God, the One worthy of all praise and trust.  His mercy endures forever, and by His grace Christians will live as beneficiaries of Him forever!