SCRIPTURE: Psalm 118
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.” (Psalm 118:8)
There are 594 chapters before, and 594 chapters after this psalm in the bible.
If you add all the chapters together (except Psalm 118) you get 1188 chapters.
And if you break this down into 118:8, you get our theme verse.
I am not one for looking for codes and clues in the bible like this…. but it is interesting, and a good verse.
As we stand on the threshold of a new year, this psalm asks us where our confidence lies.
In the government, in your investments, in the medical profession, in your own savvy and smarts?
Is human nature or goodness a reliable source of confidence and hope?
Throughout the ages people have found this Psalm encouraging.
Martin Luther said: ‘This psalm has been of special service to me. It has helped me out of many great troubles, when neither emperor nor kings nor wise men nor saints could help.’
This psalm invites us to look for God’s hand in the past year, trust His hand for the coming year…
And celebrate in the present moment, to boost our confidence in Him.
This past week we saw God’s hand most clearly in Jesus, the other hand of God.
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:28-30)
Today, join with me in singing “The Lord’s right hand (Jesus) has done mighty things! The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” (Psalm 119:15-16)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I look back on the past year and I see mercy, and patience, and goodness. You are my hope and my confidence as I enter into the new year. Your love endures forever!
Observation/Application
Give thanks.
Give thanks for God our God is with us forevermore. His love endures forever and He has shown that once again with the reminder of Christmas. Emmanuel.
At all times and in all situations, the Lord is my Helper. I must see what He has done for me for He is my Rock and Salvation. Although many have built their lives about themselves He is the Rock, the sure foundation and He is my Anchor. He has done great things in my life.
As I stand on the threshold of the new year, the Lord will be with me for He has made His LightShine on me so that I can walk each day in His SonShine.. PTL!
Give thanks to God, for good is He, His grace abideth ever;
To Him all praise and glory be, His mercy faileth never.
His wondrous works with praise record, His grace abideth ever;
The only God, the sovereign Lord, Whose mercy faileth never.
His wisdom made the heavens be, His grace abideth ever;
He spread the earth above the sea, His mercy faileth never.
Praise Him Whose sun doth bring the day, His grace abideth ever;
The moon and stars His might display, Whose mercy faileth never.
He helped us in our deepest woe, His grace abideth ever;
He ransomed us from all our foes, His mercy faileth never.
Each creature’s need He doth supply, His grace abideth ever;
Give thanks to God, enthroned on high, Whose mercy faileth never.