Giving Thanks for the Long and Winding Road

Scripture: Psalm 118:24:   This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Introduction:  When we see a verse like this in the Bible, we want to ask ourselves, “Why did the Psalmist write it?  What made Him pen such a stupendous thought?”  The answer is found in the overall content of Psalm 118, with its three general divisions.

1.  This is the day of God’s Love (vv 1-4) The first four verses of Psalm 118 are a preamble, in which the Psalmist tells us this is the day of God’s love.  Several different groups are enjoined to sing this little phrase, “The love of God endures forever.”  We’re all to sing it in verse 1.  Israel is to sing it in verse 2.  The priests of the House of Aaron are to sing it in verse 3.  And everyone who fears the Lord is to sing it in verse 4.  This is a call to celebration.  Try putting it in your own words:  His love keeps me going.  His love never gives out.  His love never wears down.  His love never grows cold.   His love is never distant or inaccessible.  His love is as near to me as my beating heart.

2.  This is the Day of God’s Help (vv. 5-18) In the next series of verses the Psalmist describes what he had been facing.  This man had suffered anguish.  He had been in a war.   His nation had been overrun, his land invaded.  His situation had seemed hopeless, but somehow God had delivered him and given him victory.  Problems swarmed him like hornets, but God saved him.  He was pushed back, but the Lord helped him.  God does the same for us when we’re anguished, attacked, pushed back, swarmed, invaded, and hopeless.

3.  This is the Day of Jesus (19-29) That leads to the final part of Psalm 118.  This is the day of God’s Son, of Jesus Christ.  The Psalmist had proclaimed a day of national worship and thanksgiving, which included a festive procession through downtown Jerusalem, through the gates of the temple, and right into the House of the Lord.  As we study this, we realize it’s Messianic in nature, predicting the events of Palm Sunday.  Jesus was the stone the builder’s rejected (a verse that’s repeated five times in the New Testament).  As He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the crowds echoed Psalm 118by shouting:  “God Save Us!” or “Hosanna!”  The rejected stone became the cornerstone, and Jesus entered Jerusaelm to became Savior of the world.  This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Conclusion: Psalm 118 thus ends as it begins:  His love endures forever!

Just for a minute, just think of all of the places you could have been. Think of all of the places God has spared you from. I just think of what God has already brought me from.

- Could have been in Tucker Max or down at the county jail

- Could have been over at Renown

- Could have been still on the corner smoking dope

- Could have been dead over in Iraq

- Could have lost my mind, but God blocked it!

When I think about the goodness of Jesus and all that’s he done for me, my soul cries out Hallelujah!