God’s Love Motivation

In Genesis 1, we are taught how the universe has been made: by his word.
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light…

In Hebrews 1, we are reminded how all of Creation is sustained: again, by his word.
3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power…

Then, in Psalm 136, we discover the love motivation of God in all of this making and sustaining. To begin, verses 1-3, are a “call to worship” by David with a directive for the congregation of Israel to enter God’s praise with thanksgiving. Why?  – “For his steadfast love endures forever.”

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

However, beginning in verses 4-9, there is a literary shift from God’s love as the object of Israel’s gratitude to God’s love being referenced as the motive of all he has done in creation at-large. Think about the “creation account” that follows infused with a line-by-line reminder of his love motivation since The Beginning. Perhaps this is why Paul is so conclusive in Romans 1:20: “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Next, in verses 10-22, love is cited as God’s motivation for all he has done, specifically, for Israel. Read and reflect on God’s love motivation with me through the epic events of Israel’s history below; MANY of which are inconsistent with our idea of a love motivation – especially to those overthrown (v.15), struck down (vv.10, 17), or led through the wilderness (v.16) and found in a low estate (v.23). Yet, that’s the invitation throughout the Bible – to trust in God’s love motivation even when it doesn’t seem to make sense from our point-of-view. Eventually, it will, according to Paul’s assurance to the believers in Corinth: “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Cor. 13:12 KJV).

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

17 to him who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

And finally, with the Psalmist, we come full-circle to the original call (vv. 1-3) to worship with thanksgiving.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

CHALLENGE: Let’s recalibrate our hearts in gratitude this year, and set our minds on a resolute confidence in our Father’s enduring love – for us, today and each day forward  in 2023.

Prayer:
Father in Heaven, give me sufficient grace, today, to be motivated by love in the same way you are. Jesus, thank you for remembering me in my “low estate” and making purification for my sins so I can live in your love in everyday until I see you face-to-face. Holy Spirit, I acknowledge my need for your power, always, so I may faithfully and boldly serve God’s purposes with “HIS steadfast love that endures forever.” Amen