God’s Truth for Trying Times - 4/4/20

We need God’s truth in trying times. Read the Scripture passage, think about what it is saying, then pray; by yourself or with your household. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16).

READ: Psalm 118:1-29

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever." Let the house of Aaron say, "His steadfast love endures forever." Let those who fear the Lord say, "His steadfast love endures forever." Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. 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. All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the Lord does valiantly, the right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!" I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death. Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord 's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar! You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm‬ ‭118:1-29‬)

CONSIDER: How many verses in this psalm tie-in with the Gospel? I want you to particularly look at verses 19-20. The Psalmist is asking for the gates of the righteous to be opened so that he could enter and give thanks to the Lord. And that the gate of the Lord is where the righteous enter. This is very interesting. The Psalmist was rejected by the nation and discarded like a useless stone. When he came to the temple gates he was welcomed up to the horns of the altar. Later Jesus came to Jerusalem to the shouts of Psalm 118:26. Blessed is he who comes. He was also rejected by the leaders and went to the altar, but as a sacrificial lamb for the sins of the world. Isaiah 53:10. Hebrews 9:12. His death makes believers righteous so we can approach God Hebrews 10:22. We now have access to God, the gates of the righteous are open to us, so we can pray and draw near to God. Through Christ sacrifice we have access to God the Father by the Spirit (Eph. 2:18). As we surrender to God and receive salvation, the Savior secures us forever.

THINK: What does this declare about God? What are God’s people being called to do? What assurance is given? How does the Word of God transform our hearts and lives and relationships?

PRAY:‬‬ Pray these verses to God as a prayer. Pour out your heart in praise to God. Pray for others. Present needs to Him.