The Once Constant

The One Constant
Today’s reading: Psalm 135-139
Psalm 139:1, “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
We live in a world of uncertainty. Not only is each day different from the last, but we also face new threats and challenges that we are unprepared for. We continually deal with changing technology. We are faced with a chaotic geopolitical world. We encounter problems in our personal lives that threaten our health, careers, and sense of security. Throughout history, culture has experienced the Dark Age and the Age of Enlightenment. At the turn of the century, we entered the industrial age, and more recently, the information age, during which the internet transformed the flow of information, allowing news and events to be instantly broadcast worldwide. If there's an earthquake in the Middle East, we can learn about it in the West before the ground even stops shaking.
However, as we examine our world today, we can characterize it as the age of uncertainty. Every day, we encounter events both globally and personally that create fear, anxiety, and apprehension regarding the prospect of tomorrow. This uncertainty has instilled a culture of fear in our lives, where we perceive more threats to our well-being than we see hope and security.

Psalm 136 is punctuated by a continual chorus that is repeated in every verse. Remove the phrase 'For His lovingkindness is everlasting” and read the psalm, and we discover in the 26 verses a brief description of Israel's history, from the creation of the universe to the establishment of the Davidic dynasty. In recounting the history, the psalmist begins in verses 4-9 by reminding us of God’s creative work, in which He made the heavens and the earth and established the laws that govern the universe. In verses 10-15, the psalmist describes the pinnacle of God’s redemptive work when He delivered Israel from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. However, in 16-22, the narrative turns dark as the psalmist recounts God’s judgment upon Israel when they rebelled against Him. As a result, He led the people into the darkest time of Israel’s history, when they were sentenced to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. The wilderness was both literal and figurative as God brought His discipline upon the nation. The psalmist concludes with the forgiveness and restoration of the country as He brought them to the promised land.

However, throughout Israel’s history, the psalmist repeatedly emphasizes a continuous anthem. Every sentence and event is followed by the statement “for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” At first, this seems redundant and an interruption in the psalm's flow, but as we continue reading, the repetition reveals an important truth: regardless of the circumstances, trials, or changes we face, the one constant that remains the foundation of stability in life is God's unwavering lovingkindness. It never changes, fades into the shadows, or abandons us, no matter the situation. However, the term “lovingkindness” is more than just a word describing God's love; it signifies His unwavering commitment to His promises and His faithfulness to fulfill all His promises to His people, despite their unfaithfulness. God remains faithful to His love through every event of life.

This is the foundation of our security today in a rapidly changing world filled with upheaval and fear. The same unwavering love that God had for Israel is the same love He has for us. No matter what we face—whether it's losing a job, battling life-threatening cancer, or simply dealing with the daily grind—the foundation of our security is His love for us. As we go through life, we must continually remember that the one constant is God’s unchanging love. In our uncertain world, this is the one absolute certainty we have.