His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

118 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!

² Let Israel say,
    “His steadfast love endures forever.”
³ Let the house of Aaron say,
    “His steadfast love endures forever.”
⁴ Let those who fear the Lord say,
    “His steadfast love endures forever.”

⁵ Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
    the Lord answered me and set me free.
⁶ The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
    What can man do to me?
⁷ The Lord is on my side as my helper;
    I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

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 nations surrounded me;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
¹¹ They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
¹² They surrounded me like bees;
    they went out like a fire among thorns;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
¹³ I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,
    but the Lord helped me.

¹⁴ The Lord is my strength and my song;
    he has become my salvation.

 

Reflection

• The psalmist expresses thanks to God for delivering Israel from her many enemies. They had much to thank God for, especially His love which endures forever (vv1-4).
• Then, the psalmist gave personal testimony to God’s deliverance of him in answer to his prayer. God was with him, so he was not afraid of what others might do to him. The Lord would be his helper, even when his enemies surrounded him, The Lord gave him confidence that he could prevail over his adversaries.
• When God’s people discover that everything we have experienced actually demonstrates God’s enduring love for us, then whenever believers gather, it will be a Thanksgiving service. “Not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10)
• For what events in your life are you particularly grateful to God?
• How did God prove to be your helper, your strength or your salvation?
• Give thanks to the Lord (v1) for his goodness and his forever steadfast love for you.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.