That was final proof of the strength of nature to soothe, to clarify, to stabilize the tired and weary and upward-gazing soul. Stronger than the recorded deeds of saints, stronger than the eloquence of the gifted uplifters of men, stronger than any words ever written, was the grand, brooding, sculptured aspect of nature. And it must have been so because thousands of years before the age of saints or preachers—before the fret and symbol and figure were cut in stone—man must have watched with thought-developing sight the wonders of the earth, the monuments of time, the glooming of the dark-blue sea, the handiwork of God.”
–Zane Grey (The Call of the Canyon)
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
–Romans 15:13(HCSB)
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Psalm 117, the shortest Psalm and also the shortest verse in the Bible, yet it contains profound truth. This psalm issues a universal call that all should praise the Lord. (Lawson) This little psalm tells us who God is and what He does.
1 — Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!
2 — For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD! (NKJV)
The ESV translates verse 2, “For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.” The NLT puts it this way, “For he loves us with unfailing love…”.
Think on that! Make it personal. He loves you, and He loves me. He is faithful to you, and He is faithful to me. This love and faithfulness is forever, and beyond. The Lord alone is God, and He only is worthy to be praised. He loves us as a people, a group, and He loves us individually. Consider the greatness of His love and that He is faithful in His Word and promises.
John writes, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God!…”. (1 John 3:1, NKJV) I like the way the NIV has rendered, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God…”. He loves us without hesitation. His love is immediate. He does not have to look us over to see if we fit the bill. He does not have to think about us. (Wood) In this psalm we see that God has a love for all peoples, but there is a special love for His own people that will never cease.
Derek Kidner states, “God’s faithfulness is eternal. God’s plans and promises are as fresh and intact now as on the day they were made, and they will remain so.”. God’s faithful love towards His chosen ones will never come to an end. (Lawson) George Wood explain that we can rely upon God’s faithfulness:
1) To strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
2) To not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
3) To remain faithful even when you’re not. (2 Timothy 2:11-13)
4) To forgive you when you sin. (1 John 1:9)
5) To present you blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:8-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
“God us love. God is faithful. Everything He does tells you who He is.” (Wood) So when faith begins to waver contemplate this psalm. When doubts plumet you, meditate upon this psalm. Then do what the psalmist does in closing. PRAISE THE LORD!!!
“Let every kindred, every tribe, on this terrestrial ball,
To him all majesty ascribe, and crown him Lord of all;
O that will yonder sacred throng, we at his feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song, and crown him Lord of all.”
–Edward Perronet
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Psalm 117, the shortest Psalm and also the shortest verse in the Bible, yet it contains profound truth. This psalm issues a universal call that all should praise the Lord. (Lawson) This little psalm tells us who God is and what He does.
1 — Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!
2 — For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD! (NKJV)
The ESV translates verse 2, “For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.” The NLT puts it this way, “For he loves us with unfailing love…”.
Think on that! Make it personal. He loves you, and He loves me. He is faithful to you, and He is faithful to me. This love and faithfulness is forever, and beyond. The Lord alone is God, and He only is worthy to be praised. He loves us as a people, a group, and He loves us individually. Consider the greatness of His love and that He is faithful in His Word and promises.
John writes, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God!…”. (1 John 3:1, NKJV) I like the way the NIV has rendered, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God…”. He loves us without hesitation. His love is immediate. He does not have to look us over to see if we fit the bill. He does not have to think about us. (Wood) In this psalm we see that God has a love for all peoples, but there is a special love for His own people that will never cease.
Derek Kidner states, “God’s faithfulness is eternal. God’s plans and promises are as fresh and intact now as on the day they were made, and they will remain so.”. God’s faithful love towards His chosen ones will never come to an end. (Lawson) George Wood explain that we can rely upon God’s faithfulness:
1) To strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
2) To not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
3) To remain faithful even when you’re not. (2 Timothy 2:11-13)
4) To forgive you when you sin. (1 John 1:9)
5) To present you blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:8-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
“God us love. God is faithful. Everything He does tells you who He is.” (Wood) So when faith begins to waver contemplate this psalm. When doubts plumet you, meditate upon this psalm. Then do what the psalmist does in closing. PRAISE THE LORD!!!
“Let every kindred, every tribe, on this terrestrial ball,
To him all majesty ascribe, and crown him Lord of all;
O that will yonder sacred throng, we at his feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song, and crown him Lord of all.”
–Edward Perronet