Exegeting the Hymns #64 - Forever

Forever
w/m - Chris Tomlin

Give thanks to the Lord
Our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise sing praise

With a mighty hand
And an outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that's been reborn
His love endures forever
Sing praise sing praise

Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever forever

From the rising to the setting sun
His love endures forever
And by the grace of God
We will carry on
His love endures forever

This has been a standard around the world in all different types of churches for almost 2 decades. One of the reasons it has stood the test of time is because it is a catchy tune, but far more influential to its staying power is because it comes almost directly from scripture (Psalm 136). Scripture songs are always going to be the best, because no words that songwriters can pen can match the inspired writings of the Holy Spirit.

Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King, His love endures forever. We all know the standard things to be thankful for, but how many times are we thankful for the trials and tribulations? How many times have we thanked God for the ways He providentially led us through circumstances and dangers we were unaware of? There is no circumstance in which we cannot give thanks.  

For He is good, He is above all things. His love endures forever. We understand that God’s power is so far above our power, and God’s love is so far above our love, but do we realize that God’s wisdom is so far above ours that we should never even question Him? We are His children so He lets us, and sometimes even gives us an answer, but He is under no obligation to let us know what He is doing or why He is doing it.

With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. His love endures forever. God’s love gives comfort, but when we understand His amazing omnipotence, it gives the ultimate foundation for rest. We can trust in His love because He can always back up His promises to us.

For the life that's been reborn, His love endures forever. God loves His children. He gave up His life for His sheep. He loved us even when we were lost sheep, because even though we were lost, we were still His sheep. He gives us new life, we are born again and brought back into the fold. Thanks to God for searching until He found us.

Forever God is faithful. Forever God is strong. Forever God is with us. That should be not only a cause for joy, but also a warning, that all our ways are known to Him. What is amazing is that even when we are faithless, He remains faithful.

From the rising to the setting sun His love endures forever, and by the grace of God we will carry on. As sure as the sun rises and sets, God is faithful. It is only by the grace of God that we can carry on. As another popular song says, “The strength to follow Your commands could never come from me.” It is only by His grace that we are saved, and only by His grace that we will live with Him forever.

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