Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 106:1)

These words begin the last psalm in the fourth book of the psalms, and according to tradition, were written by David to commemorate the arrival of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Years later, the Holy Ark would reside in the Temple built by David’s son, Solomon, thus culminating a long and storied journey that began with its construction in the wilderness. Considering that the Ark was God’s Throne on earth, this span of years — from the wilderness to the Temple — addresses the notion that God’s goodness is not temporary or short-lived. The same God who was with Moses and the Exodus generation is the same God who anointed David as Israel’s king, the man who escorted God’s Throne to the Holy City.

In other words, when David said, “His mercy endures forever,” it is to say that the goodness and mercy of God transcends time. In one generation — in this case, the Exodus generation — He laid the groundwork for kindness that would be manifest to a later generation. Later, when Solomon dedicated the Temple, the same Presence that resided visibly among the people in the wilderness filled the House that adorned the summit of Moriah. Again, the goodness and mercy of God knows no bounds because the Almighty is not restricted by time or any other physical limitation. He is God and there is no other; He is the same yesterday, today and forever!

So then, let us consider this: perhaps in our life today, God is laying the groundwork for kindness and blessing He intends to bestow on our descendants — people who are yet to be born. It’s a fascinating thought and one that we should consider carefully. I say this because it is far too easy for us to focus solely on our current situation and circumstances. Being so wrapped up in the present, it often proves to be difficult for us to consider the future. But again, God is not limited as we are — what He does today will have far reaching ramifications. That might mean that what He promises today will not be manifest until many years from now — but it will be manifest, and that is something to be celebrated.

So, let us give thanks to the Lord for the goodness He demonstrates to us in the now, and let us be thankful for the goodness He will demonstrate to our children and their children in the years to come. The Lord is good and His mercy endures for all eternity.

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill