Psalm 118:1–14
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures for ever. 2 Let Israel say: ‘His love endures for ever.’ 3 Let the house of Aaron say: ‘His love endures for ever.’ 4 Let those who fear the Lord say: ‘His love endures for ever.’ 5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. 6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies. 8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. 10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 11 They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 12 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. 13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. 14 The Lord is my strength and my defence; he has become my salvation.
The Lord is my strength and my defence; he has become my salvation. Psalm 118:14
A famous TV presenter and commentator says he loves his job but doesn’t want to be defined by his career. Instead, he is governed by “the ‘Fs’: family, friends and faith”. And, he continues, “The things that don’t matter are fame, fortune, and the froth that sometimes comes with the industry.”
He seeks to stay true to Jesus as he serves in the public eye. “The most important thing for me in terms of my faith—my Christianity—is that it gives me a sense of perspective,” he reflects.
When he receives his affirmation from God, not others, “[t]he praise never takes me too high, and the criticism never makes me too low.” In this he echoes the Psalmist: “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans” (Psalm 118:8). Although the author of this psalm is unnamed, it may have been King David, as this song was sung at the dedication of the second temple (SEE EZRA 3:11). David had known God’s loving protection when living as a shepherd boy, and later when on the run from Saul. He could therefore say boldly, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (V. 6). We may not have to escape from enemies, or present the news on TV, but we too can place our confidence in our loving and all-powerful God. He is our helper, whom we can trust absolutely.
How do you avoid pleasing people rather than God, or finding your worth in others’ comments instead of hearing from God? How could you receive God’s affirmation today?
Creator God, You made me in Your image and I know I’m wonderfully made. Restore me to my true self through the power of Your Holy Spirit.
