God’s Steadfast Love Endures Forever

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good:  for His steadfast love endures forever!  Let Israel say, ‘His steadfast love endures forever.’  Let the house of Aaron say, ‘His steadfast love endures forever.’  Let those who fear the Lord say, ‘His steadfast love endures forever.’  You are my God, and I will give thanks to You; You are my God; I will extol You  Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!” –Psalm 118:1-4, 28-29 (ESV)

Psalm 118 has a recurring refrain that teaches a great truth about our God:  “His steadfast love endures forever!”  I heard a wise minister say that if an idea is repeated over again in Scripture, it is a sure sign that we should give special attention to the truth and heed it.  By its repetition, this idea becomes very important.  Indeed, God’s love endures forever!

Our God bears love for us that extends from earth to heaven, eternally.  Thanksgiving for that love should be expressed by:

            Israel—the whole country God had selected and called to be His own (apply this to America);

            Aaron—the priest, spiritual leader, and all the tribe of Levi, those called as spiritual leaders;

            God-fearers—those who stand in awe at His omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence.

Throughout Psalm 118 is a catalogue of circumstances and events that call for the assurance that God’s love, indeed, endures through them all:

            In distress, the Lord is on my side (4-7).

            When I seek refuge God is there providing it (8-9).

            When enemies surround me, I can cut them off! (10-13)

            When I recognize God is my strength, song and salvation (14-16).

            Through all these I shall not die, but live!  Hallelujah!  (17-18).

            When victory comes, I enter the gates of righteousness, a haven God prepared for me (19-21).

            When builders reject the stone, God makes it the cornerstone [a Messianic reference] (22-23).

            For each day God gives, I will rejoice and be glad (24).

            When God saves us and gives us success (25).

            When the blessed of the Lord comes [another Messianic reference to Christ’s triumphal entry

                        into Jerusalem riding on a donkey]  (26).

            When we declare the Lord and worship Him (27).

As at the beginning of this praise psalm, worshipers thank the Lord and declare again:  “His steadfast love endures forever!” (28-29.)  What a declaration!  What a vital belief!  Thank the Lord today and every day that His steadfast love endures forever!”