Psalm 117

This Psalm, although short, starts with a call for all people to praise God and ends with a call to praise God

Praise the Lord all you gentiles - this Psalm speaks of all people praising the Lord, not just Israel. In the Authorised Version (AV/KJV) the word 'gentile' is translated: nations - God's plan was always to include non Jews into His Kingdom. 

We are reminded of John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

God's love ultimately, is for the whole of humanity - the apex of His creation. 

Laud Him, all you peoples - to 'laud' is to give praise. Why must we Laud (praise) Him? 

'For His merciful kindness is great towards us.' God is merciful towards all people. He is merciful towards sinners, none of us deserve anything let alone God's mercy, yet He provides us with such a bountiful of good things in the physical world - air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, family, friends etc. When we are saved He also provides in the spiritual world. He gives us a new heart, a new perspective, eternal life, He is preparing a place for us in glory, we have an assurance of being with Him forever in heaven, He blesses us with spiritual and physical blessings. 

His truth endures forever - He never fails and He never falters. Humanity may say that truth is fluid, but that's like building your house on the sand - God's truth is eternal, solid, unchanging and firm, it can be relied upon totally. God is all truth. 

Jesus Christ said to Thomas in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) are truth. It is who they are. His truth is eternal and endures forever - we can trust in it, believe in it and have faith in it. 

Because His mercy and truth never fail and are eternal, all it leaves for us to do is Praise the Lord!

As we go through our lives, let us do that, acknowledging who He is, His provision and what He has done for us!

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Fire on Earth

The other day I was pondering the fact that the world is totally and utterly opposed to the things of the Church. There should be no compromise or appeasement with the world even though that may mean persecution and maybe death! 

I thought about Shadrach, Mishach and Abed-Nego in the fiery furnace - they were opposed to the world and they were cast in very hot fire. A true Church should be opposed to the world - no compromise, no appeasement, just standing firm on the rock! Even if the world casts the first stone (they are good at judging the Church), we stand firm. No compromise, no appeasement. 

The Church has been in the middle of the furnace throughout the generations - the fire has burned stronger at times, than other times, but still the battle rages on around us!

I began to think about being in the furnace on earth - I would rather be in the furnace on earth for a short time, than to spend eternity in hell with no escape! There is a way in, but no way out! The thought is horrific. To experience God's wrath and damnation forever - UGH, no thanks!

For the world there is no fire - they stoke the fires with their persecution of the Church. They can sue, burn (literally), murder, destroy but they will never be able to take away the fact that the Church is saved and protected. 

"Vengeance is Mine!" says the Lord and His Church will one day be vindicated!

Take heart believer - you are eternally safe. It may be dangerous on earth now, but none can snatch you out of His hand!