Psalm 118

Psalm 118

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures
forever." Psalm 118:1

As I read through this psalm this morning, I couldn't help but
realize that this psalm speaks so well to the plight, yet joy,
that each of us experience as we struggle in our marriage and
family relationships. This is a psalm of thanksgiving, a hymn of
praise for deliverance from the psalmist's enemies. The speaker
may be King David or perhaps one of the Levitical (priest)
leaders of the Israelites as they look back at their past and
their experiences since their deliverance from bondage in Egypt.
In much the same way, each of us can look at our own marriage and
family relationships and do as the psalmist says...

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures
forever." Psalm 118:1

In all things, we need to keep foremost in our hearts and minds
that God's love for each of us does endure forever. This verse
(verses 1 and 29) forms bookends enclosing a powerful statement
of praise and thanksgiving that each of us experience as we deal
with our marriage and family relationships.

"In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting
me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can
man do to me?" Psalm 118:5-6

We all have cried out to the LORD as our lives appeared to be
falling apart, yet through His love, He set us free from the
bondage of our sins and dispair. He is our rock, our refuge in
our struggle with what man (the world) throws at us.

"The LORD is with me; he is my helper...It is better to take
refuge in the LORD than to trust in man." Psalm 118:7a,8

All too often we find ourselves looking for help in our
relationships in all the wrong places. The psalmist states it
plainly that our hope is found in the LORD. No one else can
comfort us like He can, no one else can shield us from danger as
He does, no one else can direct us in the correct path to take.
Lean on Him at these times (and always) for strength and
guidance...

"The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my
salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of
the righteous: "The LORD'S right hand has done mighty
things!..." Psalm 118:14-15

All of us as we have struggled with our marriages realize the
many sins we have committed. Yet our God is a God of love and
grace. And yes, He points out our sins and chastens us,
sometimes severely. But don't be discouraged for He wants only
the best for each of us. Healing is found in the LORD.

"I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has
done. The LORD has chastened me severely, but he has not given
me over to death. Open for me the gates of righteousness; I
will enter and give thanks to the LORD." Psalm 118:17-19

Still in all our anguish and sorrow over the problems we are
dealing with in our relationships, there is hope. Hope in a God
who cares about His people. Hope of a new beginning and of a
bright future found in the rebuilding of our relationships upon
the solid rock of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. He truly is
our salvation...

"I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become
my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the
capstone...This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice
and be glad in it." Psalm 118:21-22,24

It is when in the face of adversity of unstable relationships
that we can turn our eyes and hearts to the one true God who can
give us answers to our prayers of supplication. Jesus Christ
(our rock) is the stone rejected by the world, yet He has become
our capstone, the corner stone of our faith. Then like the
psalmist we can sing...

"You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God,
and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever." Psalm 118:28-29

God Bless,