Wednesday 2 January, 2019

1 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 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. 6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals 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 humans. 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 down. 11 They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 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 down. 13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. 14 The Lord is my strength and my defense; 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 the righteous; 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 cornerstone; 23 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. 25 Lord, save us! 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 on 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 praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

This psalm is a wonderful outline of the character and nature of God. This psalm really answers the question what is God like? From it we understand that God is good, he is our refuge and our helper, He can be trusted and ultimately He is our salvation.

You can’t help but notice the line, “His love endures forever” is repeated several times. The psalm also starts and concludes with it. It must be important to be said so often or perhaps we just need reminding! It’s interesting to note that this same truth is spoken into different levels. Firstly on a national level ie. “Let Israel say, His Love endures forever, then at a priesthood (house of Aaron) level or perhaps a modern take might be the church as Gods representation in the earth and finally at an individual believer level. This truth needs to permeate every level of society. The psalmist also stresses the need to say, “His love endures forever.” It needs to be spoken in good times and bad until it becomes part of our core understanding of who our heavenly father is.

Dear God, please help us to understand and remember that your love does truly endure forever. Amen

Written by Ps. Ainslie Woods