God Promises His Enduring Love

Psalms 117:1-118:2 Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. 2 For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD. 118:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 2 Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.”
 
THE two-verse Psalm 117 extends into Psalm 118. Praise to God’s enduring, steadfast love is sung seven times in the two psalms. What does it mean to you that God’s love endures?
   When we think of “endure” we often consider someone going through great trouble. To endure is to resist, withstand, suffer, continue and remain. It generally means we are living through unpleasant times in order to achieve a goal – or to just survive. Does God’s love resist and suffer? Does it continue and remain, just surviving?
   The psalmist emphasizes God’s enduring love is not a minimal love that just gets through tough times. Instead, our LORD’s love is a strong, continual love that withstands mankind’s great rebellion against him. Psalm 118 teaches us of God’s continual, personal, attentive love that does not resist us but comes to save us.
   The songwriter speaks for Israel. He remembers the dark, hopeless days. V 5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. God’s enduring love releases and unchains us from the many binding spiritual, physical and emotional troubles. God’s love endures to teach us v 6 the LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. God’s steadfast love empowers us to confess v 7 he is my helper. What joy to know that in God’s enduring love v 9 it is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
   The LORD’s love endured to conquer Israel’s enemies and bring peace to God’s disobedient nation. V 12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
   The LORD’s strong love fortifies our hearts. V 14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. V 16 The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!”
   The LORD’s strong, forever love promises his future salvation. You know God will v 19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. What joy to know God’s enduring love leads to his ultimate victory in Jesus: V 22 The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; 23 the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. He then points to the future day Jesus arrives in Jerusalem. V 24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. And the psalm petitions God’s enduring love will help Israel through their needs. V 25 O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success.
   Once more the psalm looks ahead and rejoices in the ultimate victory of God’s love to redeem his people. V 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.
   God’s love in our hearts endures because it is a victorious love that rejects sorrow and expands joy. He sings a song of triumph:  V 27 The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
   Indeed, give thanks to the LORD. His good, continual love has sent Jesus to endure the cross. Be steadfast in your response. Continue in your Christian life with enduring joy. After all, you know God’s love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8a)