Read His Words Before Ours!
Psalm 118:1-16
Exodus 15:1-3
Isaiah 53:10-11
Matthew 26:20-30
Hallel, Day 13
“His faithful love endures forever.” (Psalm 118:1-4)
The truth of these words brought the disciples comfort as they walked to the garden, singing this refrain. It had been a strange and unsettling evening. What began as a joyous celebration commemorating God’s deliverance of His people from slavery had taken a much more serious turn over dinner . . .
Talk of betrayal and suffering,
bread being broken and wine poured out,
all pointing to death . . .
Something in Jesus’ manner was different tonight, and it left them uneasy. The comfort of these familiar words surely heartened them.
“His faithful love endures forever.”
Everything will be all right.
For Jesus, the words were a reminder of why He had come and what He had to do. God’s faithful love endures forever, despite humanity’s sin and rebellion, and He was about to demonstrate the depth of His love once and for all . . . at an incredible cost.
“I called to the Lord in distress;
the Lord answered me and put me in a spacious place.”
(Psalm 118:5)
Freedom!
The disciples longed for freedom from Roman rule and they trusted Jesus was the promised Messiah, the One who would deliver their freedom. Just as God freed the Israelites from Pharaoh’s rule so many years ago, surely He would do the same for them. If God was on their side, they would be victorious. There was no reason to fear.
Freedom . . .
Jesus needed to focus on the reason why He was going through with this. It was for these dear friends walking alongside Him, and for many others who would believe through their witness.
His death and resurrection would set them free, liberate them from sin and death forever, and cast out fear of God’s judgement by making them righteous. True, eternal freedom for His beloved friends was worth all that lay ahead.
“The Lord is my helper. Therefore, I will look in triumph on those who hate me.” (Psalm 118:7)
Perhaps the disciples’ voices grew louder, more confident, as they pondered these words.
Jesus had spoken of enemies tonight, but they wouldn’t have the final word. Against all odds, the Israelites had triumphed over Pharaoh and his army. God had shown His power, and He could do it again. Surely the Lord was for them.
But did Jesus’ voice grow fainter as He sang, wrestling inwardly with what was to come?
“I know there are many who hate me.
They will do their worst.
Death will look like defeat.
O Father, help Me endure.
I know this is necessary, and I know it will be worth it.
I know death will not have the final victory.
I know this will be a mighty triumph over the powers of hell for eternity . . .
but I also know it will be painful and bloody.
Please give me strength.
And help My brothers, Father.
My death will seem like a crushing defeat to their faith.
Please give them strength to endure.”
“All the nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I destroyed them.” (Psalm 118:10)
No matter what comes against us, no matter what enemies surround us,
we can defeat them in God’s power.
“Very soon, I will be surrounded by enemies, whipping and spitting, mocking and jeering, rejoicing in My demise. Already, the true enemies, the spiritual forces of evil and darkness, invade My mind, urging Me not to go through with it, to use My power to break free.
And I could . . . but I will not.
Only through My death will these enemies be truly destroyed, and My children set free. O Father, give me victory over the temptation to quit. Help Me be strong.”
“The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” (Psalm 118:14)
As they echoed the Israelites’ song of victory after crossing the Red Sea, praising God for His mighty power, hope rose in the disciples’ hearts. God was with them. Victory was sure . . .
As for Jesus, He looked to the suffering awaiting Him, knowing through His death, He would become their salvation. It was the only way.
Only in death would they, and all who would believe, be set free to embrace eternal life . . .
Great suffering lay ahead; Christ must hold onto hope, and cling to the truth that death would not have the final word:
“I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the Lord has done.” (Psalm 118:17)
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Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Halle Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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I wonder how many times I believe my ideas and thoughts over God’s truth. The disciples were with Jesus and even so there were times that they did not fully understand or embrace His plan. I also have times when I know God is in control but it is hard for me to accept. Jesus followed through and because of Him we are here and redeemed.
I agree, it’s very easy just to see things from our perspective when God’s is quite different. It is important that we learn to trust him, knowing that he has a good plan.
Oh Lesley … God’s plan looked so different than what the disciples expected, didn’t it? I wonder how vocal they were about their expectations, and if that made it even harder for Jesus to push forward with God’s will. I’m so glad He stuck to the plan … His faithful love endures forever.
Yes, it’s interesting to think about how differently the disciples would have seen it. It’s comforting during these current events to know that God does have a plan even when we can’t understand what he’s doing.
I just realized where the name of your blog came from! Thank you for all these verses from Psalm 118. God’s love is beyond our understanding.
Yes, I love the name of her blog as well! One my favorite verses!
I actually got the name of the blog from Psalm 18:19! I only realised much later that a spacious place was mentioned here too!
How neat to do a study of what they would have been singing during Passover. We so often want an easy deliverance, but it’s so costly, and doesn’t usually come about in the way we thought. Thank God He was willing to do the hardest thing for our redemption.
Such radical, unfathomable love!
Yes, I found it a really interesting way to look at this Psalm. I think we are often like the disciples, with our own ideas of how we think things should turn out!
Lesley,
Beautiful reflection on Psalm 118. I love the repetition in this Psalm, reminding us again and again that His steadfast/faithful love endures forever! Amen!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Thanks, Bev! Yes, that’s such a great refrain, and something we definitely need to hold onto! xxx
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