PSALM 118 THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE, LET US REJOICE


February 19
________________________________________
PSALM 118 THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE, LET US REJOICE
20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it. 21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.25 Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD. 27 The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar! 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. 29 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
– Psalm 118:20-29
________________________________________
BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD by ILMA
O Lord, give us a grateful heart that always acknowledges you
Thank you for opening the gate of heaven to the righteous
Your Son Jesus became human and was rejected and killed
This led to our salvation and cleansed us from sin.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
He will overcome the systems of this world
The Lord allowed suffering so we can come close to him
He manifests his power when we are not strong but weak.
Blessed is he who follows him and brings his kingdom alive
It is the Lord who makes all thing possible and bring light
He has made his light shine upon all those who believe
Let us all abide in His steadfast love and sow seeds.
Blessed is he who rejoices and give thanks to the Lord
They will be content and bear fruits to defeat the world
Let us all rejoice and be glad in it; He is worthy of our praise
O Lord, I thank you for all your gifts to the human race.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is it important to bless those who do the works of God’s kingdom and those who represent the Lord?
• How is rejoicing an essential act that all believers need to regularly manifest?

PSALM 118 THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH

February 18
________________________________________
PSALM 118 THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH
5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. 6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 7 The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me. 14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.15 Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,
16 the right hand of the LORD exalts, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!”17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD. 18 The LORD has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness
that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.20 This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. – Psalm 118:5-20
________________________________________
THE LORD IS ON MY SIDE by ILMA
There are forces going against my walk with the Lord
I called out to him and seek his will in his word
I am constantly attacked by the foe day by day
It may seem like I am falling, but God is on my side
The Lord is my strength and my Saviour; I will not be afraid
I cry out to him for help and I am sure he will lead the way
He will rescue me out of my distress and suffering
He chose me first and he’s there for me since the beginning
What can man do to me if God is on my side?
Evil will not prevail to anyone who loves him and abide
I know that God will keep his promises to bring me freedom
I will keep on pursuing love so I can enter his kingdom
The gate of the Lord lets in those who walk in uprightness
I look forward to be with him, who is the source of righteousness.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think this psalm is called by Martin Luther as his own psalm?