Thursday, May 21

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015

1 Samuel 29:1–31:13

John 11:55–12:19

Psalm 118:1–18

Proverbs 15:24–26

 

 

With today’s reading, we begin looking at Psalm 118.  This psalm marks the middle chapter of the New and Old Testaments, taken together, and sits wedged between the shortest and longest chapters in the Bible (Psalm 117 and Psalm 119).  Psalm 118 marks the final psalm in the Egyptian Hallel, stretching from Psalms 113 to 118.  Jewish tradition held that, at the Passover meal, families would sing Psalms 113 and 114 before the meal and Psalms 115 to 118 after the meal.  According to Matthew 26:30, Jesus and His disciples followed this tradition:  “When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”

 

Given this unique placement in the story of redemption through Christ, Psalm 118’s contents take on a blended Davidic-Messianic context.  The original context suggests a song of thanksgiving in remembrance of national deliverance, with Psalm 118:5–21 coming from the king’s mouth.  Looking at these words as speaking of Jesus the Messiah, we may read of His leading God’s children into the freedom of redemption and, consequently, into praise.

 

Psalm 118:5–21 mingles a remembrance of God’s deliverance and praise for His mercy.  The psalmist reminds us not to trust in mortal humans.  Instead, we should remember that “the Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.” (118:6)

 

Not only will He remain close to us, He will actively intervene on our behalf, fighting our battles.  While we may not fight physical battles against enemy nations, we all face spiritual attacks and flaming arrows of lies and deceit.  His victory comes with our active participation in fighting back:  “… in the name of the Lord I cut them down,” which the psalmist repeats three times in vv. 10–12.  Praise God for the amazing image and truth in v. 12:  “They swarmed around me like bees,/ but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns… ”  I struggle sometimes to trust in God’s victory in light of those “hard-pressed” moments and thank Him for reminding me that we may overcome through His strength.

 

Studying Psalm 118:17–21 from a Messianic context, we find suggestions of Jesus’s triumphant righteousness of all those who would trust in Him.  He speaks of a coming Resurrection in vv. 17,18:

 

“I will not die but live,

                and will proclaim what the Lord has done.

The Lord has chastened me severely,

                but he has not given me over to death.”

 

 

Even though the Lord Jesus Christ would suffer separation from God, His Resurrection would declare the ultimate victory over sin and death.

 

Jesus would apply v. 22 to Himself:  “The stone the builders rejected/ has become the cornerstone… ”  While the Roman and Jewish leadership would crucify the Lord Jesus Christ, He would become the cornerstone of the Kingdom of God.  Because He has sacrificially given Himself, we may “rejoice today and be glad” in His salvation.

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your chastening that brought us peace.  Thank You for standing in our place to secure victory over spiritual enemies in this lifetime and build a Kingdom for Yourself.  Thank You that we may participate with You in that Kingdom and that we have great hope and joy for today and forever.  Give us greater clarity regarding the security of our hope in You.  Cause us to become more grateful and to honor You out of reverence for all You have done.  In Your Name, amen.

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