This powerful exploration of Psalm 136 invites us into a transformative understanding of gratitude that transcends our circumstances. We discover that thanksgiving isn't merely a response to favorable situations, but a theological foundation rooted in who God is and what He has done throughout history. The psalm's repeated refrain—'His steadfast love endures forever'—echoes twenty-six times, creating a rhythm that should pulse through our daily lives. The Hebrew word 'chesed' captures something profound: God's promise-keeping loyalty motivated by deep personal care. This isn't just divine obligation; it's relational devotion. As we journey from creation's majesty to Israel's deliverance from Egypt, from the parting of the Red Sea to victories over impossible enemies, we see a pattern emerge. God sustains those who call upon Him. The story of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, who spent decades feeding seagulls in gratitude for the one bird that saved his life at sea, illustrates how true gratitude should change us permanently. When we truly grasp what God has rescued us from—our low estate, our sin, our spiritual death—our response cannot be casual. The ultimate expression of God's steadfast love arrives in Jesus Christ, where divine faithfulness meets human need at the cross. This Thanksgiving season, we're challenged to move beyond cultural expressions of gratitude to lives fundamentally transformed by understanding God's unchanging character and His personal investment in our stories. This sermon was first preached by Pastor Jason Mitchell at Springfield Church of God on November 16, 2025.