After reading Psalm 111 one might say the writer must be having a really good day with no big problems. We may have days like this, but most are not.
1 Praise
the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the
congregation.
2 Great are the works
of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of splendor and
majesty is His work,
and His righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused His
wondrous works to be remembered;
the Lord
is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for
those who fear Him;
He remembers His covenant forever.
6 He has shown His
people the power of His works,
in giving them the inheritance of the
nations.
7 The works of His
hands are faithful and just;
all His precepts are trustworthy;
8 they are established
forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and
uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to
His people;
He has commanded His covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is His name!
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good
understanding.
His
praise endures forever!
Are you suffering or feeling beaten down today? Is the evil in the world pressing near you, leading you to despair and anguish? In this psalm, the Lord has at least three important messages of encouragement for you today. First consider verse four; not only are the Lord's amazing works remembered, but He has preserved His Word, the true and eternal record of His works and promises for you. By reading & praying over God's Word, He causes you to remember how much He loves you and forgives your sins against Him. In this, the Lord
is indeed gracious and merciful!
Second, consider verse nine, the most important example of the Lord's grace & mercy. God the Father sent Jesus His Son to this earth, to YOU and the rest of His people. Jesus lived the only sinless life, and He willingly suffered & died the most cruel death on the cross, all so that He could take onto Himself ALL your punishment and pay the price for ALL your sins! Every day and completely free of charge, God gives to you forgiveness, life and salvation! In this, the Lord is most certainly gracious and merciful!
Third, in verse ten the Lord describes your new life, secure & glorious because you are a forgiven child of God. Especially in your worst days, the fear of the Lord gives you true wisdom & understanding. God never promises we can understand all that He does & allows to happen in our world. But God does promise that you are secure in His mercy, grace and love, no matter what difficult things are in front of you. In this, the Lord is also gracious and merciful!
So today & every day, the Lord calls you to remember His wondrous works and to pray over His perfect & true Word. Every day, the Lord gives to you redemption & forgiveness of your sins! Every day, you can live a new & forgiven life, secure in God's grace & mercy!
In all things, the Lord is most certainly gracious and merciful!
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