His Love Endures Forever

Psalm 118 is a powerful declaration of God’s goodness, famous for its emphatic and victorious tone.

Martin Luther declared it one of his favorites, theologians reference it frequently, and Jesus himself referred to it in Matthew 21.

While the Psalm itself doesn’t indicate an author, historians agree that it was likely penned by David, after he gained full possession of the kingdom to which he had been anointed. David reflects on God’s faithfulness and triumphantly acknowledges his deep gratitude for God’s provision.

Let’s read these powerful words together:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.”

Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.”

Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures forever.”

When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.

They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.

They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them down.

I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me.

The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.

- Psalm 118:1-14

Powerful words for any day, but especially on a day designated for Thanksgiving.

The psalmist’s words encourage all to remember that God’s love endures forever, that the Lord is with us, He is better than any other refuge, He cuts down our enemies, and that He is our salvation. Amen! Those are powerful things to be thankful for.

I pray, this Thanksgiving, you declare those words over your heart.

Maybe this Thanksgiving you woke up today feeling joy like David.

You’ve weathered the storms of the last several years and you finally feel yourself on the mountaintop, desperately thankful for how far God has brought you. Life isn’t perfect, but you can see His faithfulness. Declare with your family today, and let your house say: His love endures forever.

Maybe this Thanksgiving you woke up and the kingdom feels farther away than ever.

You feel more like David hiding in a cave, fearing for his life. The divorce is about to be finalized, the kids are fighting again, you don’t know how you’re going to pay for the turkey dinner today, or maybe the one person you want to spend this holiday with isn’t here anymore. I don’t know what your struggle is, but maybe the thought of giving thanks feels impossible. Oh dear friend, let me remind you that David hurt too. That Jesus hurt too. That their Thanksgiving wasn’t without the mornings where you wake up wondering how you’ll be able to move forward. But the truths of Psalm 118 still apply to you. He is your refuge. He will be faithful. Let your house say today, even in the sadness: His love endures forever.

Maybe this Thanksgiving, you woke up and life isn’t good or bad, it just is.

Stuck in the monotony of life, distracted, overworked, numb to the kind of joy contained in Psalm 118. There are things to be thankful for, sure, but your heart feels hard. You want to be thankful, but you’ve fallen into this cycle of apathy. This Thanksgiving, I pray you would take a breath, take a moment, and reread the powerful words of Psalm 118. Would you be reminded that your enemies, both literal and figurative, were defeated by the Son of God? Would you be reminded that you were born a sinner, destined for death and suffering, and He saved you? Would you be reminded and overjoyed that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords humbled Himself on Calvary’s cross so you could have forever with Him? And, even just for a moment, would your heart rejoice? Would the Spirit of God begin to thaw the coldness that has overtaken you, and replace it with the warmth of His love? Let your house say, today: His love endures forever.

Reader. The Church at RB. San Diego. Southern California. Would we all say today:

His love endures forever.

He has become our salvation. Because of Him, we have refuge and joy for eternity.

Thanks be to God! Amen. And Happy Thanksgiving!

Cristina Schmitter

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