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Remember. These are only notes so don't expect good grammar or even good UK English spelling!
PSALM 118 -
1 If only nation, Church and all people who reverence God knew that the Love of the Lord is forever. • Far less greed and fear of one another.
Ps 118:14 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 2 Let Israel say: (nation) "His love endures forever." 3 Let the house of Aaron (clergy) say: "His love endures forever." 4 Let those who fear the LORD (all who reverence God) say: "His love endures forever."
• `His love endures for ever' • Everything else does not endure for ever - temporary. • Everything depends on something else. • Therefore there must be something eternal upon which everything depends. • Why cannot evil endure for ever? - self destructive..
• But what about all the trouble in the world?
• Three kinds of trouble: 1 Distress caused by our imperfect world. • Germs, accidents, illnesses. Ps 118: 5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. (NIV) 6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. (human power) {Doctors can only help for a while.} 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. {Govts can help a bit.}
A guest at an official reception once told President Abraham Lincoln that in the man's home state people said the welfare of the nation depended on God and Abraham Lincoln. "They are half right," the President responded.
• If I trust in human power alone - let me down. • If I trust in politics alone to give me happiness - fail. • Only the Lord with me - at my side.
2 Nations attacked - WAR Ps 118: 10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. (1948, 67, NOW) 11 They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. 12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off. 13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me.
• Powers of the world frighten us. • Fascism, Communism, (Finland, Estonia) Islamic Fundamentalism. • Wars. • We nearly fell but the LORD cut them off. • Never have the last word.
3 The Lord Chastened Me. • Some of my trouble was my own fault. Punishment. But it was good because He cares.. --------------------------------------------------------- 1 SALVATION FOR THE WORLD. • Resurrection from the dead, and a way for me to go to heaven. Ps 118: 17 I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done. (NIV) 19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. 20 This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter.
• How? Ps 118:22 The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; 23 the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
• We rejected God and crucified Jesus, • but God has raised Him from the dead • so that we could be • ransomed healed restored and forgiven. ------------------------------------- 2 THE DAY OF THE LORD. • This great day in what the O.T. calls the `Day of the Lord'. • The Day the Lord would Himself alone save us from all our distresses: • Common troubles of the world. • Enemies that frighten the world. • Our own sins.
Sabbath - in God's eternal purposes - it has no end - God and us richly enjoy Creation. Resurrection day has no end. Fellowship with God. Ps 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (NIV)
John 16:2223, 26-27. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
---------------------------------------------------------- 3 OUR RESPONSE. Ps 118:2529 25 O LORD, save us; 28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. The foundation for happiness is a proper relationship with the Lord. But to fully experience that happiness, we must build on that foundation in practical ways. 1. Give something away (no strings attached). 2. Do a kindness (and forget it). 3. Spend time with the aged (experience is priceless). 4. Look intently into the face of a baby (and marvel). 5. Laugh often (it is life's lubricant). 6. Give thanks (a thousand times a day is not enough). 7. Pray (or you will lose the way). 8. Work (with vim and vigor). 9. Plan as though you will live forever (you will). 10. Live as though you will die tomorrow (because you will die on some tomorrow).
1 Lord save us. 2 You are my God 3 I will honour you. 4 Let us all give thanks and rejoice because the Lord's Day has come================================= If any of the above has assisted you
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