Off to a Great Start!
A 2-Week Study of Psalm 136
There are always things we want for ourselves in our New Year's resolutions; consequently, we center our lives around ourselves, not God. In order to center God in our lives, we need grateful hearts and time of being still and knowing God.
Following is a New Year's resolution to help us begin the year thanking God and knowing God. The study lasts anywhere from a couple of days to two weeks, and you're done. It's doable, and it gives you a kickstart, . . . a strong first step, . . . a fresh and fulfilling beginning into a new year that exalts God and blesses you. It can be done in quickly -- depending on your Bible studying techniques. The study can be a supplement to your other biblical endeavors. It can also be a family-time devotion. However you decide to take with this study, your year will be off to an exceptional start.
We commonly intend to strengthen our Christian faith at different times, particularly as a New Year resolution, but we don't always know the best approach. If you're not exactly certain what route to take to nourish your relationship with Jesus, I suggest beginning with Psalm 136. I'll go so far to say, despite sounding like a spam video for miracle diet pills, that I'm 100 percent certain we can have an enrichment in our faith, in our Christian walk, and in our relationship with God by giving these first full days of the year a devotion to Psalm 136.
Following is a guide to enrich your relationship with God. It is sectioned into ten days; format the study to suit you.
The New King James Version from Bible Gateway provides Psalm 136 below:
136 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.
For His mercy endures forever:
4 To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His mercy endures forever;
5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens,
For His mercy endures forever;
6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters,
For His mercy endures forever;
7 To Him who made great lights,
For His mercy endures forever—
8 The sun to rule by day,
For His mercy endures forever;
9 The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His mercy endures forever.
10 To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn,
For His mercy endures forever;
11 And brought out Israel from among them,
For His mercy endures forever;
12 With a strong hand, and with [a]an outstretched arm,
For His mercy endures forever;
13 To Him who divided the Red Sea in two,
For His mercy endures forever;
14 And made Israel pass through the midst of it,
For His mercy endures forever;
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,
For His mercy endures forever;
16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness,
For His mercy endures forever;
17 To Him who struck down great kings,
For His mercy endures forever;
18 And slew famous kings,
For His mercy endures forever—
19 Sihon king of the Amorites,
For His mercy endures forever;
20 And Og king of Bashan,
For His mercy endures forever—
21 And gave their land as a [b]heritage,
For His mercy endures forever;
22 A heritage to Israel His servant,
For His mercy endures forever.
23 Who remembered us in our lowly state,
For His mercy endures forever;
24 And rescued us from our enemies,
For His mercy endures forever;
25 Who gives food to all flesh,
For His mercy endures forever.
26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!
For His mercy endures forever.
MONDAY: Read Psalm 136.
The entire chapter praises God, and here is where we should start with whatever our endeavors may be. Praise God first in our Christian walk, as Jesus teaches: in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-10), focus on our Heavenly Father first. In Matthew 6:33, seek first the kingdom of God. Praise God first.
Realize that no matter how much we complain, sin, stumble, lose our faith, His mercy endures forever. No need to ponder on those past sins. God forgives His children. As a matter of fact, His mercy endures forever. Each word of the refrain (repetition) is significant.
HIS mercy endures forever.
His MERCY endures forever.
His mercy ENDURES forever.
His mercy endures FOREVER.
- Circle, highlight, or underline one of the four words for each verse, and meditate on the value of the four different meanings.
TUESDAY: Read Psalm 136.
The first three verses and the last verse focus on who God is: "the God of gods," "the Lord of lords," "good," and "God of heaven!" Sadly, we become unmoved the more we hear this biblical lingo.
- So, take the time to concentrate on what these descriptions mean in your life.
- For a deeper look into who God is, check out this list of God's names:
Microsoft Word - NAMES OF GOD.docx
https://biblestudiesforlife.lifeway.com/wp-content/uploads/bsfl2019/2019/06/NAMES-OF-GOD.pdf
- Meanwhile, pull out some old journals and photos. Can you see how God has worked in your life?
WEDNESDAY: Focus on verses 4 through 6. Can you think of how these actions of God have blessed your own life?
To Him who alone does great wonders, . . . To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, . . . For His mercy endures forever.
Look at some old photos or read some old journal entries: where did God do great wonders in your life?
How are you blessed knowing He made the heavens?
That He laid out the earth above the waters?
Old photos and journal entries should surface some answers for you. Write down how your own life has specifically reflected these verses.
THURSDAY: Focus on verses 7 - 9. Can you think of how these actions of God have blessed your own life?
To Him who made great lights, . . . The sun to rule by day, . . . The moon and stars to rule by night, For His mercy endures forever.
- Look at some old photos or read some old journal entries: How has God's creation of great lights impacted your own life?
The sun by day?
The moon and stars by night?
Old photos and journal entries should surface some answers for you. Ponder on and/or write down how your own life has specifically reflected these verses.
FRIDAY: Focus on verses 10 - 13. The author of this Psalm focuses on God's provisions, protection, and deliverance for the Israelites from Egypt.
- In reminiscing through old journals and photos, how has God provided for you, protected you, and delivered you?
In verse 13, a miracle is mentioned. How has God worked through your life when it seemed practically impossible?
Week 2:
MONDAY: Focus on verses 14 - 16:
Verse 14: "And made Israel pass through the midst of it [the Red Sea],"
- How has God protected you in fearful moments?
Verse 15: "But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,"
- When has God protected you from those who could have pulled you away from God?
Verse 16: "To Him who led His people through the wilderness,"
- Where were you when you knew you were right where God wanted you to be?
- In gratitude, ponder on this truth.
TUESDAY: Focus on verses 17 - 22. These verses give examples of how God is sovereign, the king of kings, over every ruler and nation.
- How are these verses a relief, or how do they bring you peace?
- Pray, or write out a prayer, thanking God for His sovereignty.
WEDNESDAY: Focus on verses 23 - 26. These verses focus on God's deliverance.
- What lowly state did God deliver you from?
- How did God rescue you from your enemies?
- How did God bless you when you needed it?
- Obey and ponder on verse 26: Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! / For His mercy endures forever.
THURSDAY: Read Psalm 136. Look through your old photos and journal entries. Can you write your own psalm similar to Psalm 136, even if it's just 2 or 3 verses? Look at the verses in Psalm 136 for help.
Here's an example:
God teaches me to mother my children, and they love Him.
His mercy endures forever.
My children are all home safe from driving everywhere.
His mercy endures forever.
My Dad accepted Christ and now lives with Him.
His mercy endures forever.
FRIDAY: Read Psalm 136 with new appreciation and wisdom, thanking God throughout your reading. Look at your own writing Thank God for being the sovereign God.
