Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1)

The Psalmist encourages us to give thanks to the Lord because of his goodness to us. He demonstrates his glory by caring for us, making his enduring love our constant cause for worship.

We damage that worship when our relationships – which are intended to display his glory – do not reflect his enduring care. In relationships that reflect God’s nature, our priorities are geared towards doing what’s best for others. But that’s easier to say than do.  

For example, in the early years of our marriage, when my wife, Kathy, did something that frustrated me, my tendency was to freeze her out through angry silence. I thought that was to my credit for not losing control of my temper, but in reality I was trying to control by wife by denying the grace I preached. 

Every marriage has its rough patches with things we have to work through, but God calls us to work in harmony with the grace we have received. We prioritize the good of each other – whether we are correcting or caressing. Our advantage is not our priority, but rather the enduring good of our spouse. 

Without thanks for God’s goodness filling our hearts, our natural reflexes are selfish, relating to people based on their actions toward us rather than on our enduring love for them. 

Grace that claims us changes us so that selfless love permeates our lives, making every relationship an opportunity for displaying our Savior’s nature and care. We honor him by reflecting him, making gracious love true worship.  

Prayer:

Lord, as I encounter people today, may I seek to reflect your grace toward me so that my relationships are an offering of worship to you.