ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (OCTOBER 10, 2011)

Covenant Faithfulness
Psalm 136



"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
(Lamentations 3:22-23)
Since we all know that we sin daily - in thought at least, if not in action - why is it that we are not consumed? Lamentations says it is because of His great love. Our English word, love, hardly conveys the power and beauty of the Hebrew word, hesed. It is alternately translated love, loving-kindness, steadfast love, and covenant faithfulness.
The Lord's love that does not consume us is based on a covenant established before the foundation of the world. It is a promise God made with Himself. "...God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time" (2 Timothy 1:9).
Before the ages began God purposed to save us, and He is faithful to His word. That is why we are not consumed. He promised to Himself, and will not falter. We are a gift from the Father to the Son (John 17:6). Because of the Lord's grace and faithfulness, we are consumed only by His love.

INSIGHT
His compassions to us never fail, and they are new this morning because of His great faithfulness and grace.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Isaiah 55-56
Psalm 98
Acts 21
Psalm 136
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
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[a] 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.
17 to him who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.
18 and killed mighty kings—
His love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.
20 and Og king of Bashan—
His love endures forever.
21 and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
22 an inheritance to his servant Israel.
His love endures forever.
23 He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
24 and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
25 He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.
Psalm 136