God's Enduring Mercy: Trust, Strength, and Salvation

Psalm 118 is a profound expression of God's enduring mercy and deliverance, and it holds a special place in the heart of our faith. This psalm, part of the Hallel Psalms, was sung by Jesus and His disciples in the upper room before His crucifixion. It is a psalm of thanksgiving, celebrating God's deliverance and steadfast love. The psalm begins and ends with the refrain, "His mercy endures forever," emphasizing the eternal nature of God's love and kindness.

The psalmist calls upon Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear the Lord to proclaim God's enduring mercy. This call to worship is inclusive, inviting all who honor God, including Gentiles, to join in the praise. The psalmist's personal testimony of calling upon the Lord in distress and being answered with deliverance is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness. It is better to trust in the Lord than to rely on human strength or authority, as even the best of people can fail us.

The imagery of being surrounded by enemies like bees, yet finding strength and salvation in the Lord, speaks to the reality of spiritual battles and the assurance of God's protection. The psalmist declares that the Lord is his strength and song, a source of joy and salvation. This declaration is a call to make God our first resource and source of joy, not just a last resort.

As Jesus sang this psalm, He knew He was the ultimate sacrifice, bound to the altar of the cross. The psalm's prophetic nature is revealed in the verses about the stone the builders rejected becoming the chief cornerstone. Jesus, rejected by the religious leaders, became the foundation of our faith. His crucifixion and resurrection were the Lord's doing, a marvelous work that offers salvation to all who believe.

The psalm concludes with a call to give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and enduring mercy. This is a reminder that God's plan, orchestrated over a thousand years before Christ's crucifixion, is a testament to His love and provision for us. We are invited to receive this mercy by faith, trusting in the marvelous work of Jesus on the cross.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God's Enduring Mercy: The refrain "His mercy endures forever" underscores the eternal nature of God's love and kindness. This mercy is not just a temporary relief but a perpetual promise that we can rely on in every circumstance. It invites us to live in gratitude and trust, knowing that God's love is unwavering. [07:10]
• 2. Trust in God Over Man: The psalmist emphasizes that it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man or princes. Human strength and authority are fallible, but God's faithfulness is unchanging. This teaches us to anchor our hope in God, who never fails, rather than in the shifting sands of human promises. [13:17]
• 3. God as Our Strength and Song: The Lord is described as both strength and song, highlighting that He is our refuge and source of joy. In times of trouble, God is our first resource, not our last resort. This dual role of God as strength and song encourages us to find both security and joy in Him. [15:46]
• 4. Prophetic Fulfillment in Christ: The psalm's prophetic nature is seen in Jesus' fulfillment as the rejected stone becoming the chief cornerstone. Despite rejection, Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection were God's marvelous work, offering salvation to all. This reminds us of the divine orchestration of redemption and the assurance of our faith's foundation. [25:53]
• 5. Invitation to Receive God's Mercy: The psalm concludes with a call to give thanks for God's goodness and enduring mercy. This is an invitation to receive God's mercy by faith, trusting in the work of Jesus on the cross. It challenges us to let Jesus be the chief cornerstone of our lives, embracing the salvation He offers. [37:26]
  ** [37:26]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:15] - Introduction to the Hallel Psalms
• [02:47] - Jesus and the Hallel Psalms
• [06:06] - Overview of Psalm 118
• [07:10] - The Enduring Mercy of God
• [10:41] - Trusting God in Distress
• [13:17] - Trust in God Over Man
• [15:46] - God as Our Strength and Song
• [19:21] - Jesus' Prophetic Fulfillment
• [23:16] - The Gates of Righteousness
• [25:53] - The Rejected Stone
• [30:28] - Praise and Thanksgiving
• [33:27] - Jesus as the Sacrifice
• [36:24] - God's Eternal Plan
• [37:26] - Invitation to Receive Mercy

1. What is the repeated refrain in Psalm 118, and what does it emphasize about God's character? [07:10]
2. How does the psalmist describe his experience of being surrounded by enemies, and what imagery does he use to convey this? [14:17]
3. According to the sermon, what significant event in Jesus' life is connected to the singing of Psalm 118? [03:17]
4. What does the psalmist declare about trusting in God versus trusting in human authority? [13:17]

1. How does the refrain "His mercy endures forever" invite believers to live in gratitude and trust? What does this say about the nature of God's love? [07:10]
2. In what ways does the psalmist's personal testimony of deliverance serve as a reminder of God's faithfulness? How might this encourage believers today? [11:22]
3. How does the prophetic nature of Psalm 118, particularly the reference to the rejected stone becoming the chief cornerstone, relate to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection? [25:53]
4. What does it mean for God to be both our strength and our song, and how can this dual role impact a believer's life during times of trouble? [15:46]

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's enduring mercy in your life. How did it change your perspective or actions? How can you live more consciously aware of this mercy daily? [07:10]
2. The psalmist emphasizes trusting in God over human authority. Are there areas in your life where you are relying more on human strength than on God? How can you shift your trust to God this week? [13:17]
3. Consider the imagery of being surrounded by enemies like bees. What are some "enemies" or challenges you face that cause anxiety? How can you find strength and salvation in the Lord amidst these challenges? [14:17]
4. Jesus sang Psalm 118 knowing He was the ultimate sacrifice. How does this knowledge of Jesus' sacrifice impact your faith and daily life? How can you live in a way that reflects gratitude for this sacrifice? [31:47]
5. The psalmist declares that the Lord is his strength and song. What are some practical ways you can make God your first resource and source of joy, rather than a last resort? [15:46]
6. How can you actively give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and enduring mercy in your daily routine? What specific actions can you take to cultivate a heart of gratitude? [33:27]
7. The sermon mentioned the prophetic fulfillment of Jesus as the rejected stone. How does understanding this fulfillment strengthen your faith in God's plan and provision? How can you apply this understanding to your current life situation? [25:53]