God’s love endures for ever

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures for ever. Let Israel say: ‘His love endures for ever.’ Let the house of Aaron say: ‘His love endures for ever.’ Let those who fear the Lord say: ‘His love endures for ever.’” (Psalms 118:1-4 NIV)

God is good. Because he is good we should express our thanks to him. All that he does comes from this aspect of his character. His love is an expression of this. Everyone should praise God because of his great love for us. God’s love can be seen in how he cares for us.

“When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.” (Psalms 118:5-7)

Why do we call to the Lord when we are in despair? Some people expect God to immediately take away the problem – perhaps this happens at times, but this is not what God has promised us. Notice what the psalmist realised: he wasn’t afraid because God was with him. If God is with us, why do we need to fear people? Do we really believe that God is greater than anyone? If we do, we realise that no matter what our enemies might do to us we will triumph. God will give us the victory.

Many have the idea that the worst thing that can happen to God’s people is death. Is this really the case? Yes, death saddens us, but death is also what allows us to be with God – for eternity. So is death really the worst thing that can happen? It would be far worse to face death without God and then have an eternity without him. If we would just realise what we have awaiting us we wouldn’t fear what anyone can do to us. Ultimately, we will triumph over our enemies.

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them down. I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my defence; he has become my salvation.” (Psalms 118:8-14)

When Israel was God’s chosen people they were a physical nation. God promised to fight for his people and the psalmist reflects that promise. The battles we face today are spiritual – and we have the same promise of help and protection. When Satan surrounds and attacks us, what do we do; who do we turn to? The only one who can help is Jesus.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:7-10)

“Resist the devil and he will flee from you” – what a great promise! Yet, if you read these verses closely, you notice that it isn’t a ‘magic formula’. We have to submit to God; we have to come near God; we have to wash our hands of sin; we have to humble ourselves before God. It is then that God lifts us up.

What do we learn from this? We need to be faithful to God. And don’t forget to give him the thanks he deserves.

Image by Tara Winstead from pixels.com. Free for use.

Readings for next week: Psalms 116-119