Psalm 136 can be touted as the “The Psalm of Thanks” or the “Thanksgiving Psalm.” It is a Psalm that is rich in content, apropos the character of God and since each verse in the Psalm is suffixed with “For his mercy endures forever”, it is a Psalm that is easy to read and memorize as well.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, giving thanks for the ultimate reason of sending us his only begotten Son, we will be looking at each verse in Psalm 136 and glean out the character of God from these verses, which would be reason enough to be grateful and give thanks to our LORD God.
Today we look at Verse 25.
Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
This verse indicates that God is the giver of food – not just to a select few, but to all. The simplest explanation of this can be that God takes care of providing for all of his creation – sea creatures, beasts, birds and man. Jesus himself eludes to the fact that God the Father knows of the needs of even the sparrows and not one of them fall to the ground without his will (Matthew 10:29). The book of Jonah ends with God posing a question “Should he not spare the people of Nineveh and its cattle?” (Jonah 4:11). Thus all flesh here could very well mean, all living things. All flesh could also be extrapolated to refer to those who are in a relationship – a relationship as that of a husband and a wife. When Adam saw his wife Eve, he described her as bone of his bones and the flesh of his flesh (Genesis 2:23).
And God is the provider of food for all.
Points to ponder:
On Christmas, the Spirit of God was cloaked by flesh for the Bible says that Jesus, the Word of God became flesh and dwelt amongst men (John 1:14). Those who believe in Jesus, become part of his body – and in that sense – his flesh, as if Christ, the bridegroom is lovingly expressing of his bride (the Church) that we are flesh of his flesh.
Jesus also expressed that to do the will of God the Father was his food (John 4:34).
While man may think that it is his or her job or work that provides for his family, it is God and God alone who is the provider of food – both physical food and spiritual food (doing God’s will). There is no reason for anyone to starve – for everyone who comes to Jesus Christ, shall never hunger nor thirst (John 6:35). God is the provider of food for all flesh. Are you hungry? Will Christ be able to describe you and me as flesh of his flesh? Are you in a love relationship with Jesus Christ?
Psalm 136:25 (KJV)
25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
