Text: Ps 107.1
O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endures forever.
The 5th-century philosopher Heraclitus wrote, “Change is the only constant in life.” In so
many ways it appears that he was correct. Life, even in its rhythms, seems to be in
constant motion.
Even the way in which humanity interacts with God seems to change. There clearly
was a very significant change from the relationship before the Fall to after it. There was
great change in the Covenant God made with Abram, so much so that Abram’s name
got changed. In the deliverance of the Jews from Egypt and the giving of the Law there
was a fundamental change, one that impacted both Jew and Gentile.
The greatest change came in the Incarnation of our Savior. Absolutely everything was
impacted by the birth, life, death, and resurrection of our Lord, and will be affected again by His return.
In the microcosm of our individual worlds, change is constant. From birth to death our
interaction with our surroundings is constantly in motion. Heraclitus stated that one
“cannot step into the same river twice.” This would seem to describe our relationships
as well as our interactions with the physical world.
But then we come to Thanksgiving, and we are reminded that even in the midst of change some things are constant. The Psalms tell us, repeatedly, that we should give
thanks to the Lord, for His mercy endures forever. Here is permanence.
We should give thanks to the Lord. That never changes. Even with profound changes
brought about by the ministry of our Lord, with the New Covenant Jesus established in
His own flesh, that simple truth remains unchanged. We should give thanks. It’s as
much a part of the New as of the Old. It is permanent. Consider these things.
First, all humanity has reason to give Him thanks, as we all receive of His goodness.
The very life that animates us, the air that we breathe, the water we drink, the food that
sustains us, and the elemental things by which find shelter, are all from His hand.
The people of Israel had much to give thanks for, and for this reason, the Scriptures
called them repeatedly to “give thanks.” In 2 Chronicles 31.2 we are told that King
Hezekiah appointed priests and Levites to, among other duties, give thanks. The king
wanted to be sure that there would be a constant offering of thanks to God for all of His
goodness.
Those who have accepted His gift of eternal life have all the more reason to be thankful.
It was He Who made the way of Salvation. We should be thankful that He called us out
of darkness into His marvelous life. He animates our experience of salvation with the
presence of His Spirit. He places us in community in His church. He has given us the
expectant hope of eternity with Him.
The reason we find permanence in thankfulness is that the enduring call for us to be
thankful is based on the enduring nature of His goodness. Give thanks to the Lord for
His mercy endures forever. We are reminded that the steadfast love of the Lord never
ceases. These truths speak permanence into our lives.
So while it is true that I cannot step into the same river twice, as its waters are in
constant movement and there is change in every moment, there is also permanence. It
is found in the goodness of our God. It is found in His provision for us, His love for us,
and His promise of eternity to us.
O give thanks unto the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.
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