Proper 24 (Ps) October 16th

Psalm 118:1-14
1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
7 The Lord is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
10 All nations surrounded me;
in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;
in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees;
they went out like a fire among thorns;
in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,
but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ps 118:1-14). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The LORD is on my side and therefore we fear the LORD alone. But people often put their trust in man. We put our trust in ourselves to produce food. We look to our nation to produce defense from threats. We look to our schools to teach our children. We put our trust in man to do all these things.

But God is your helper. God is your strength. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is the one who is our sure defense. He is the one who created us and all things. The LORD feeds us with rich food. The LORD teaches us through discipline and through his Word. This is where we find life and salvation.

Whether we find ourselves in the middle of a desolate place in need of food, the LORD is there. If you are without water and ready to make your last meal, the LORD is there. When the Devil is crouching at your doorstep ready to devour, the LORD is there to strengthen you. The LORD is Love. As the Psalmist writes, "His steadfast love endures forever."