Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1–9, ESV
A theme that you will find throughout the Bible is the enduring love of God. Yes, we fail and fall short, but God’s love is so abounding, and His grace is so abundant that He will forgive us when we humble ourselves before Him. This doesn’t mean that we can do as we please and don’t have to worry about how we live because God will forgive us. We should be mindful of God’s Law and seek to live as best we are able but be comforted by the assurance of God’s forgiveness for those who believe. We know we will sin, and we know we will fall short, but this, in and of itself, does not mean we will be forgiven. We are called to confess our sins and seek God’s forgiveness. We can come to private or join in public confession. We may speak our sins aloud or quietly in our hearts, but it is in confession that we will find the steadfast and abiding love of God. We find in the words that we may hear in the absolution in which the words “You are forgiven” are spoken. Within these words stands His promise, and the steadfast love of God is fully revealed. It is the reason that we are called to sing His praises. For this, we give our thanks. No other god can do as our God does. No other god forgives as our Lord does. No other god suffered and died in order to restore us as our God has done. All who believe and trust in Him are forever known by Him as His own. God has marked us as His children and the love that He holds for His chosen endures forever.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.