God's love is unchanging in the midst of changing situations every day. The author of Psalm 118 is not known, but the writer shares a confidence that we can have in God's eternal love for us.
Psalm 118:8 - "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man"
Pilots put confidence in their planes. Commuters place confidence in trains, cars or buses. Each day we must put our confidence in something or someone. If you are willing to trust a plane or car to get you to your destination, are you willing to trust God to guide you here on earth and to your eternal destination? Do you trust him more than any human being? How futile it is to trust anything or anyone more than God.
Psalm 118:22, 23 - "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; 23 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes"
Jesus referred to this verse when he spoke of being rejected by his own people. Although he was rejected, Jesus is now the "capstone", the most important part of the church. The capstone is the center stone in the top of an arch, holding the whole arch together.
Psalm 118:24 - "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it"
There are days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice. Our mood is down, our situation is out of hand, and our sorrow or guilt is overwhelming. We can relate to the writers of the psalms who often felt this way. But no matter how low the psalmists felt, they were always honest with God. And as they talked to God, their prayers ended in praise. When you don't feel like rejoicing, tell God how you truly feel. You will find that God will give you a reason to rejoice. God has given you this day to live and to serve him - be glad!
Psalm 118 / New International Version
ReplyDelete1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Let Israel say:
“His love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say:
“His love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say:
“His love endures forever.”
5 In my anguish, I cried to the Lord;
and he answered by setting me free.
6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
I look in triumph on my enemies.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them off.
11 They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them off.
12 They swarmed around me like bees,
but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
in the name of the Lord I cut them off.
13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
15 Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
16 The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord
through which the righteous may enter.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.
22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone;
23 the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 O Lord, save us!
O Lord, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
27 The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine upon us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.