His Love Endures Forever (Ps 118)

Do we reject the teachings of our Lord in favor of man-made traditions, or is the cornerstone set firmly in the foundation of our faith? Let’s begin in Psalm 118.

How long does God’s love endure? Are we thankful for it?

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

Do we call on God in distress or do we trust in national leaders more than God?

I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes. (Ps 118:5-9 NKJV)

Though we are faced with insurmountable threats, can God give us victory?

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. (Ps 118:10-14 NLT)

Though God may punish us for our own good, will a righteous person still trust that we will live to declare God’s works?

The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous. “The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly. The right hand of Yahweh is exalted! The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly!” I will not die, but live, and declare Yah’s works. Yah has punished me severely, but he has not given me over to death. (Ps 118:15-18 WEB)

Is there a prophecy in these words? Who is the stone that would be rejected?

Open the gates of righteousness for me so I can come in and give thanks to the Lord! This is the Lord’s gate; those who are righteous enter through it. I thank you because you answered me, because you were my saving help. The stone rejected by the builders is now the main foundation stone! This has happened because of the Lord; it is astounding in our sight! This is the day the Lord acted; we will rejoice and celebrate in it! Lord, please save us! Lord, please let us succeed! (Ps 118:19-25 CEB )

Do we allow God to choose who comes in His name or do we recognize only human authority?

God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! We praise you from here in the house of the Lord. The Lord is our God, and he has given us light! Start the celebration! March with palm branches all the way to the altar. The Lord is my God! I will praise him and tell him how thankful I am. Tell the Lord how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful. (Ps 118:26-29 CEV)

Do our human institutions still reject the cornerstone in favor of traditions built by men? Do we blaspheme God by daring to call our man-made rules “sacred tradition?”

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? (Mat 21:42 ESV)

Do we reject the teachings of our Lord in favor of man-made traditions, or is the cornerstone set firmly in the foundation of our faith? You decide!