Psalm – Psalm 117-118
When I read Psalm 117, its simplicity astounded me because it was so short and impacting. The specialty of this psalm, though, lies in something rather curious. For it calls the GENTILES to the praise of God; it calls the PEOPLES of the earth to lauding of God.
I was just pondering over when this might take place. And it struck me that it could take place just about anytime, anywhere, and during any chance.
We are testimonies of God, walking to and fro the earth, shining forth His lamp. Will we shine brightly, being incandescent and set aglow in the warmest, tingling brilliance? It can happen just about any day and at the least-expected of times.
The bible mentions that wives (and even the husbands in reverse!) can play a crucial role in the salvation of their unbelieving husbands, just as long as their conduct is chaste and pious (1 Pet 3:1-2). This reminds me that we are constantly seen by others at any place and time. Our status as the ones of God should bring glory to Him such that even the unbelieving ones would praise God.
It’s not true that miracles don’t happen, it’s just waiting for us to be that good testimony for Christ! And it begins with everyone of us.
Psalm 118 begins with a common verse that can be heard in other psalms. But for the very purpose of this psalm alone, I thought of sharing a song that heard. It’s rather poppish and catchy, but the point is that the love of God endures forever. Enjoy!
Perhaps this psalm will reverberate more amongst those of us who have felt the weight of the world against us.
“I called on the Lord in my distress” (118:5)
“The Lord is for me among those who help me” (118:7)
“All nations surrounded me, But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them” (118:10)
We will not fear because the Lord will save us when we cry out to Him. Yet we must remember that God will always save those who are His children. It doesn’t mean that after we’re saved out of our troubles that we go and proclaim our ordeals. Rather we need to tell of God’s works (118:17) and remember that it is not a case of us against them or they-all versus we-all.
If all of us are united in the House of God we must be in one heart to cry out to God as in verse 28: “You are my (our) God, and I (we) will praise You.”
Now once more, Oh, Give thanks to the Lord!
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PS
In Ps 118:18 the psalmist said,”The LORD has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death.”
His discipline can be administered in peaceful or troubled times.
God discplines His children and prunes the unfruitful stalks away. But He will never cut off the whole branch bec He has purchased them with the precious blood of Lord Jesus.
The children can walk away and walk into death by their choice. But He will never give them over to death. This is His faithfulness.
His ways and thoughts are higher than ours as the heaven is higher than the earth:
Ps 118:22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
Ps 118:23 This was the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
Whoever rejects Lord Jesus as the chief cornerstone can only be building on another foundation. No matter how majestic the building is, it is not the house of God.
Be vigilant. Build only on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being our chief cornerstone (Eph 2:20-22) The Holy Spirit is our assurance that ” we” are His.