Whenever I read the phrase, "love endures forever," I begin singing the song, "Forever" by Chris Tomlin (Watch a live performance on Youtube here.) It simply reminds me that psalms were never intended to be read. They were meant to be sung.
In my distress I prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the LORD is for me; He will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. (Psalms 118:5-9 NLT)
Again, Chris Tomlin has a song entitled "Our God" that has the phrase, "if our God is for us, who can be against us?" (Watch live performance here.) This music stirs the soul and draws us into worship. Beyond that, we end up memorizing the words - words of truth about our God.
Though hostile nations surrounded me, I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD. Yes, they surrounded and attacked me, but I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD. They swarmed around me like bees; they blazed against me like a crackling fire. But I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD. My enemies did their best to kill me, but the LORD rescued me. The LORD is my strength and my song; He has given me victory. (Psalms 118:10-14 NLT)
It doesn't matter whether the songs are composed by a current artist like Tomlin, an historical artist like Handel, or an unknown artist like some of the hymns we sing. The result is still the same. Lyrics pointing to the LORD draw us near to Him and remind us of Him throughout our days.
Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things! The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things! I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the LORD has done. The LORD has punished me severely, but He did not let me die. (Psalms 118:15-18 NLT)
Jesus would have sung this psalm growing up. Even more so, he would have sung this psalm after his resurrection. God did not let him die. At least he didn't stay dead. He conquered death, was given the "keys" to death, and offers eternal life to us all.
Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the LORD. These gates lead to the presence of the LORD, and the godly enter there. I thank You for answering my prayer and giving me victory! The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the LORD's doing, and it is wonderful to see. This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Please, LORD, please save us. Please, LORD, please give us success. (Psalms 118:19-25 NLT)
Jesus became the cornerstone that all the other builders rejected. When we build our lives, the lives of our families, and build others up, we build on the cornerstone that is Jesus. This was the LORD's plan and we get to participate in it. Give thanks to the LORD our God and King. His love endures forever.
Bless the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God, shining upon us. Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar. You are my God, and I will praise You! You are my God, and I will exalt You! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. (Psalms 118:26-29 NLT)
What about you? Do you give thanks to the LORD? Is He your God and King? Is Jesus the cornerstone upon which you build your life? Does His love endure forever...in you?
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