Celebrating God's Faithfulness: A New Year Reflection
Summary
Psalm 118 serves as a powerful reminder of God's steadfast love and faithfulness, inviting us to reflect on His goodness as we transition into a new year. This psalm, deeply rooted in the history of Israel, was a song of worship for Jesus and His disciples, and it continues to be a significant part of Jewish and Christian worship today. It calls us to celebrate God's saving work in our lives, even when we cannot fully comprehend or remember every detail of His intervention.
The story of Jessica McClure, who was miraculously rescued from a well, illustrates how God's hand is often at work in ways we may not immediately recognize. Like Jessica, we may not always remember or understand how God has saved us, but we are called to give Him credit and praise for His enduring love and faithfulness.
Psalm 118 opens with a communal call to worship, emphasizing that our faith is not just an individual journey but one lived out in community. The psalmist invites all who fear the Lord to join in giving thanks for His steadfast love, a love that is relational and freely given, as demonstrated throughout the Old Testament and in the lives of God's people.
As we face the challenges of a new year, the psalm encourages us to trust in God rather than in human strength or wisdom. Our testimonies of God's faithfulness serve as anchors for our souls and as encouragements to others. They remind us that it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man, for He is our strength, song, and salvation.
The psalmist's declaration that "the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" points to Jesus Christ, the ultimate expression of God's saving work. This truth calls us to marvel at God's ways and to celebrate His salvation with joy and gratitude. As we enter a new year, let us commit to worshiping God out of an overflow of gratitude, sharing our testimonies, and inviting others to join in the song of His steadfast love.
Key Takeaways:
1. Communal Worship and God's Steadfast Love: Psalm 118 invites us to worship God together, recognizing His steadfast love that endures forever. This love, described as "chesed," is relational and freely given, reminding us that God's faithfulness is the foundation of our trust. As we enter a new year, let us join together in celebrating His goodness. [18:42]
2. The Power of Testimony: Sharing our testimonies of God's faithfulness is crucial for our spiritual journey and for encouraging others. These stories serve as anchors in difficult times, reminding us of God's past provision and His promise to remain faithful. Let us commit to sharing these testimonies in the year ahead. [27:12]
3. Trusting in God Over Man: The psalmist reminds us that it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in human strength or wisdom. Our hope is in God's steadfast love, not in the fickle nature of human relationships or circumstances. As we face the uncertainties of a new year, let us place our trust in Him. [29:17]
4. Worship as a Response to God's Goodness: True worship flows from a heart of gratitude for God's steadfast love and salvation. As we prepare for worship, let us fix our hearts and minds on all that God has done, allowing our praise to be a genuine response to His goodness. [34:39]
5. The Cornerstone of Our Faith: Jesus Christ, the stone the builders rejected, has become the cornerstone of our faith. This truth calls us to marvel at God's ways and to celebrate His salvation with joy. As we enter a new year, let us commit to worshiping God and sharing His love with others. [41:31]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:30] - Introduction and Greeting
- [05:01] - Series Overview and Psalm 118
- [07:34] - The Story of Jessica McClure
- [10:19] - God's Saving Work in Our Lives
- [12:21] - The Significance of Psalm 118
- [13:03] - The Egyptian Hallel Psalms
- [14:42] - Reading Psalm 118
- [16:12] - God's Steadfast Love
- [18:42] - Communal Worship and Invitation
- [19:30] - The Meaning of Chesed
- [21:13] - Testimonies of God's Faithfulness
- [23:44] - Trusting in God Over Man
- [29:17] - The Power of Testimony
- [34:39] - Worship as a Response to God's Goodness
- [41:31] - The Cornerstone of Our Faith
- [47:01] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Psalm 118
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 118
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the communal call to worship in Psalm 118, and how does it emphasize the importance of community in faith? [18:42]
2. How does the story of Jessica McClure illustrate the theme of God's saving work in our lives, as discussed in the sermon? [10:19]
3. What does the psalmist mean by "the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," and how is this related to Jesus Christ? [16:56]
4. How does the psalmist describe God's steadfast love, and what Hebrew word is used to encapsulate this concept? [19:30]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the communal aspect of worship in Psalm 118 challenge the idea of faith as a purely individual journey? [18:42]
2. How can the story of Jessica McClure serve as a metaphor for recognizing God's intervention in our lives, even when we don't remember or understand it fully? [10:19]
3. What does it mean for Jesus to be the "cornerstone" of our faith, and how should this influence our understanding of God's saving work? [16:56]
4. How does the concept of "chesed" shape our understanding of God's character and His relationship with His people? [19:30]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's saving work in your life. How can you share this testimony with others to encourage them in their faith journey? [27:12]
2. As we enter a new year, what specific steps can you take to engage more deeply in communal worship and celebrate God's steadfast love with others? [18:42]
3. In what areas of your life are you tempted to trust in human strength or wisdom over God's steadfast love? How can you shift your trust to God in these areas? [29:17]
4. How can you prepare your heart and mind for worship each week, allowing your praise to flow from a genuine response to God's goodness? [34:39]
5. Identify a person in your life who may not yet know God as their personal Savior. How can you share the message of Jesus as the cornerstone of faith with them this year? [41:31]
6. Consider the challenges you may face in the coming year. How can you use the testimonies of God's past faithfulness as anchors to navigate these challenges? [27:50]
7. How can you incorporate the practice of gratitude into your daily life, ensuring that your worship is a response to God's steadfast love and salvation? [36:38]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Communal Worship
Psalm 118 invites us to worship God together, recognizing His steadfast love that endures forever. This love, described as "chesed," is relational and freely given, reminding us that God's faithfulness is the foundation of our trust. As we enter a new year, let us join together in celebrating His goodness. The psalm opens with a communal call to worship, emphasizing that our faith is not just an individual journey but one lived out in community. The psalmist invites all who fear the Lord to join in giving thanks for His steadfast love, a love that is relational and freely given, as demonstrated throughout the Old Testament and in the lives of God's people. [18:42]
Psalm 133:1-3 (ESV): "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in communal worship this week, and what steps can you take to foster unity within your faith community?
Day 2: Sharing Testimonies of God's Faithfulness
Sharing our testimonies of God's faithfulness is crucial for our spiritual journey and for encouraging others. These stories serve as anchors in difficult times, reminding us of God's past provision and His promise to remain faithful. The story of Jessica McClure, who was miraculously rescued from a well, illustrates how God's hand is often at work in ways we may not immediately recognize. Like Jessica, we may not always remember or understand how God has saved us, but we are called to give Him credit and praise for His enduring love and faithfulness. Let us commit to sharing these testimonies in the year ahead. [27:12]
Psalm 40:9-10 (ESV): "I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord. I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation."
Reflection: Identify one specific instance of God's faithfulness in your life. How can you share this testimony with someone who might need encouragement today?
Day 3: Trusting in God Over Human Strength
The psalmist reminds us that it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in human strength or wisdom. Our hope is in God's steadfast love, not in the fickle nature of human relationships or circumstances. As we face the uncertainties of a new year, let us place our trust in Him. The psalm encourages us to trust in God rather than in human strength or wisdom. Our testimonies of God's faithfulness serve as anchors for our souls and as encouragements to others. [29:17]
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are relying on your own strength? How can you begin to trust God more in this area today?
Day 4: Worship as a Response to God's Goodness
True worship flows from a heart of gratitude for God's steadfast love and salvation. As we prepare for worship, let us fix our hearts and minds on all that God has done, allowing our praise to be a genuine response to His goodness. The psalmist's declaration that "the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" points to Jesus Christ, the ultimate expression of God's saving work. This truth calls us to marvel at God's ways and to celebrate His salvation with joy and gratitude. [34:39]
Psalm 95:1-3 (ESV): "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods."
Reflection: Reflect on a specific instance of God's goodness in your life. How can you express your gratitude through worship today?
Day 5: Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone of Our Faith
Jesus Christ, the stone the builders rejected, has become the cornerstone of our faith. This truth calls us to marvel at God's ways and to celebrate His salvation with joy. As we enter a new year, let us commit to worshiping God and sharing His love with others. The psalmist's declaration points to Jesus Christ, the ultimate expression of God's saving work. This truth calls us to marvel at God's ways and to celebrate His salvation with joy and gratitude. [41:31]
Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus as the cornerstone of your faith influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? What steps can you take to align your life more closely with this truth?
Quotes
"Jessica McClure was a 18-month old child who was at her aunt's house in Midland, Texas, crawling around the backyard. And she crawled into the opening of a well that was eight inches wide and 22 feet deep. She fell down headfirst into it and got stuck in there. And her mom called the police, and the police came, said, we don't hear anything. Are you sure that happened? And all of a sudden, they heard a baby's cry." [09:11] (22 seconds)
"Initial attempts to rescue her were unsuccessful, and her oxygen levels kept dropping, and it just did not look good. It was not hopeful that she would be saved. Well, the entire nation evidently watches this unfolded on TV. Rescue teams worked tirelessly for 58 hours, and what they ended up doing is they took the well shaft, and they drilled a parallel shaft next to it until they got to where the baby was, where Jessica was, and they tunneled across to get her, and they faced constant setbacks, rocky soil, collapsing walls, equipment malfunction." [09:49] (30 seconds)
"As we're going to see in today's Psalm, Psalm 118, as we come to a close of one year and the opening of a new, I want to encourage us and call us to celebrate God's saving work in our life. Whether or not we can put our finger on every single piece of it and describe it, if we remember all of it, it still gives us an opportunity to praise Him for who He is and how He saved us." [11:14]
"Psalm 118 is the final of what's called the Egyptian Hallel songs. They are a series of Psalms. I believe it's from Psalm 113 and 118, but it may be a little bit earlier than 113. And they celebrate the goodness of God and rescuing the people from Egypt. And all Hallel means is the Hebrew word for praise. And so when we say hallelujah, we're actually saying two Hebrew words. Hallel plus Yahweh. Praise God. Praise God for what he has done." [13:03]
"Notice the worship leader calls on those assembled to worship in verse one. Oh, give thanks to the Lord for he is good. The call here, though, isn't you give thanks to the Lord as far as one person or, hey, I'm going to give thanks to the Lord. No, this is a good, good old Southern y 'all. Y 'all give thanks to the Lord for he is good. So Psalm 118 opens up with a invitation to worship." [18:42] (21 seconds)
"This steadfast love in verse one is this incredible, beautiful word chesed. It shows up 245 times in the Old Testament. It's how God describes himself in Exodus 34, one of my favorite passages in the Old Testament. When he reveals himself, he says, I am the God who abounds in the steadfast love, and I show it to a thousand generations. Generations. So what is chesed? Well, it's been defined as kindness, love, mercy, faithfulness, even loyal love." [19:30]
"Out of my distress, I called on the Lord. The Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side. I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper. I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. What a beautiful way of essentially saying, let me tell you what God has done in my life. In my distress, I called on him and rather than being distant and uncaring, he heard. He heard my call. He knew my distress." [23:44] (0 seconds)
"For we stand on a truth that the Lord is on my side. This is not a statement of pride or of arrogance or of, I've got it all together, he's on my side, but not yours. No, this is a truth that for those who follow him and desire to follow him, they can stand in. God is on my side. He cares about me and my family. He cares about my distress and my situation." [24:39] (22 seconds)
"You see, what do our testimonies do? They encourage ourselves and others to trust not in ourselves or others, but in God. See, the natural places for us to trust are our princes, that is our rulers, our leaders, our parents, our spouses, or even ourselves. And verses 8 and 9 remind us that those are places where we will be ultimately disappointed if that's where we find our trust." [29:17] (25 seconds)
"Now what's interesting is while this song is sung by a group in worship like we did just a few minutes ago, the desire here is that this is true for each person singing it. That each person singing this line would be able to celebrate the God who is their strength and their song and their salvation. Verse 15, glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous. Essentially what's happening here is let me celebrate the salvation of the Lord and I want to do it in worship." [33:18] (26 seconds)
"In this new year, I want to invite you to spend time as you get ready on Sunday mornings, as you head to church in the car, and even as you sit here and prepare to sing worship songs. I want to encourage you to do what Psalm 118 is doing for us. Fix your heart and your mind on all that God has done for you. On the days that he saved you in his salvation, in his goodness, and let worship then flow out of the gratitude and gratefulness of your heart, not out of a sense of have to." [34:39] (26 seconds)
"The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. The thing, the thing people thought was worthless is, in fact, the most important thing of your life. This is the Lord's way. It's marvelous in our eyes. Isn't this the way that God works? He takes the thing we want to reject and he makes it the most important. He takes a small tribe of Israel, so much smaller than Assyria and Egypt and Babylon and Persia and the Greeks and the Romans, and he uses them to bring light to the entire world." [41:31] (28 seconds)
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