[:en]SCRIPTURE: PSALM 118
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (vs. 1, 29)
“The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies” (Psalm 118:6)
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes” (Psalm 118:8-9)
“The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation” (Psalm 118:14)
“Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord” (Psalm 118:19)
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24)
“You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you” (Psalm 118:28)
This is a messianic psalm People shouted “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (v. 26) as Jesus rode the donkey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (Mat. 21:9). Jesus also quoted “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes” (v. 22) when he debated with the religious leaders (Mat. 21:42). The Israelites said these words “The Lord is my strength and song and He has been my salvation (v. 4) when they were delivered from the Egyptian army at the Red Sea (Exodus 15:2). It is also prophesized that Israel will sing this song again when God gathered them for the nation and restore them to their land (Isa. 12:2). This is a song that we can also sing with faith.
ASSURANCE WE CAN GET FROM THIS PSALM
- God’s love endures forever (vs. 1-4)
- The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid. He is my helper. What can man do to me? (vs. 6-7)
- God is our refuge. we can trust in the name of the Lord (vs. 8-12)
- The Lord is our strength, our song and our salvation (v. 14)
- The Lord’s right hand is lifted high and has done mighty things (vs. 15-16)
- The Lord will chasten us but he stills protects us (v. 18)
WHAT MUST WE DO?
- Proclaim what the Lord has done (v. 17)
- Give thanks to the Lord (v. 21)
- Rejoice and be glad in the day the Lord has made (v. 24)
- Exalt Jesus (v. 28)
No matter how difficult your circumstances are, take this promise of God: “The Lord is on my side. I will not fear. What can man do to me? (v. 6). Express this word of confidence knowing that “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
As you look at the past, He has cared for you. As you look at the present, He is now with you. As you look at the future, He will be ahead of you. God promises never to leave nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5). So, fear nothing but God. Love him, revere Him and obey Him. Accept the day God has given you. Rejoice and be glad in it.
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