Through the Word in 2020 #86 - Aug. 3 /

Ezra 2-4:16 records the return of about 50,000 Jews to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Those were complicated times to say the least. In Luke 9:21-22 we hear Jesus warn His disciples that even those who seem most religious and on God’s side, will become their persecutors. It’s complicated. In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Paul reiterates vital information regarding Christ’s return and how some will even claim He HAS come, before He really does. And some of the details are - well, they’re complicated. Which is why Psalm 118 and its main theme is so vital for Christians in every age and under all circumstances.

I’m Reid Ferguson, and this is Through the Word in 2020.

Life is complicated on its own. For a host of reasons. Not the least of which is that we live in a fallen world, under the condemnation of God, with the effects of the Fall to be found in every aspect of human existence. Nature itself groans Scripture tells us. And humankind has so defaced the image of God we were created in, that our emotions, intellect, reason as well as our bodies suffer defects of all kinds.

Then, we come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ - and life gets even more complicated.

For the Believer lives caught between two worlds and two ages. We have been justified from our sin, but sin still stirs in us. We’ve been adopted into God’s family, but we’re still part of the family of Adam. We’re already seated with Christ in the Heavenly places, but are still under laws, rulers and hierarchies in this present sphere. We live as is often said in “the already, but not yet.” New creatures in Christ, but not yet brought to our final glory. Already redeemed, but not yet entering into our full inheritance. Part of the Kingdom to come, but still in this present age.

Like I said, it’s complicated.

And when David penned Psalm 118, which even the Jews of Jesus’ say thought applied to the Messiah - while rejecting Jesus as the Messiah - live was complicated for him too.

He is king, but distressed. God’s ordained ruler, but set upon by foreign powers. Swarmed upon like someone attacked by bees. Pushed hard and falling. Fearing death. And disciplined by the Lord for his sins.

So what does David do when life gets this complicated? What is Jesus the Messiah to do when His life gets impossibly complicated as He nears the cross? What were the returning exiles to do? What were the Thessalonians to do? What were the disciples to do? What are Believers today to do?

Remind ourselves over and over and over - as Psalm 118 repeats 5 times: The steadfast love of the Lord endures forever.

That as His children, we are loved by Him infinitely better than we can love ourselves.

That His love is steadfast - sworn to by the God who cannot lie. Never vacillating.

That His is divine love - the love of the Lord, the master of the universe. Not to defective and impotent love of man-to-man, but the perfect love of the omnipotent God of His people.

That His love endures, it cannot be diminished in any way by any force or circumstance - even our own failure. It not only abides, it remains perennially fresh.

And that this love remains so - not just for the present crises - but forever. It is the love which will bring us home. Finish the work He’s begun in us. Correct us, lead us, guide us, hold us, complete us.

It is the love Ephesians 3:19 says “surpasses knowledge” and when looked at, reveled in and trusted in, brings us to be filled with all the fullness of God.

Whatever your complications today Christian - know this, cling to this, live in this: The steadfast love of the Lord, endures forever.

God willing, we’ll be back tomorrow.