Psalms 118:1-29 (NLT)
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
2 Let all Israel repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.”
3 Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.”
4 Let all who fear the LORD repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.”
5 In my distress I prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered me and set me free.
6 The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?
7 Yes, the LORD is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in people.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
10 Though hostile nations surrounded me, I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD.
11 Yes, they surrounded and attacked me, but I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD.
12 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.
13 My enemies did their best to kill me, but the LORD rescued me.
14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.
15 Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things!
16 The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things!
17 I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the LORD has done.
18 The LORD has punished me severely, but he did not let me die.
19 Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the LORD.
20 These gates lead to the presence of the LORD, and the godly enter there.
21 I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory!
22 The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.
23 This is the LORD’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.
24 This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Please, LORD, please save us. Please, LORD, please give us success.
26 Bless the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.
27 The LORD is God, shining upon us. Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you!
29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
Thanks are exuberant for God’s goodness in faithful love that endures forever. Everybody, no matter their current circumstances are compelled to acknowledge and magnify the abundant provision of love already received from the Father. By magnifying this timeless love, there is positioning for its effect in any present or impending circumstances.
Large in the impact of this thanks is inspiration and motivation to align with the One who is incredibly faithful in His favor towards us. Though His love endures forever, the protection and defense against countless enemies is available for those who enter through the gates of righteousness. For us in Christ, this entrance is made possible by the His blood that gifts us with His righteousness. It is a choice, however, not forced upon anyone.
Terrorism is repulsed, provisioned abundant, and hope made alive for those who don’t only give thanks for this provision in God’s faithful and enduring love. Like David, though, the incredible provision of righteousness that activates this love must be entered into by the work of the cross. Merely praising and recognizing God’s goodness without entering into it through the gates of righteousness is to remain apart from such an incredible outpouring of love. Included in love is its option to receive. Magnifying its impact is powerful as an incentive to receive, but the reception comes in the passing through the gates of righteousness and coming in alignment with holiness and purity His blood provides. Though timeless and faithful without a shadow of turning, as it has always been, the favor in God’s love comes alive to all who follow the way that leads to it.