January 24th, 2021 From Your Pastor

From my distress I called upon the LORD. The LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me? Therefore, I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me. Psalm 118:5a, 6, 7b

In this Psalm 118 we find the author in trouble. Whether it is from his own doing or the attack from others, we do not know. One thing is sure, the author knows, and trusts in God. He is stating his position on which he bases all his reactions.

So much do we find ourselves in similar circumstances. We live among a people who are lost and undone. We must interact with them while upholding our Christian values. This is at times very difficult. However, knowing and trusting in God as did the author above, we can succeed. We can hold the Christian banner high; we can live here without being ashamed of Him or afraid of what the world can do to us.

As one reads on in Psalm 118, you will come across a verse we often associate with victory and success. It is verse 24 – “This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Now in a Psalm written about distress this verse 24 seems out of place. Would the LORD create a day of distress? I would say that without a day of trouble we would not know a day of salvation. Without a day of difficulty, we would not know a day of peace and joy.

Without getting too deep in theology; verse 24 is actually associated with the day of Christ’s crucifixion.

The day we were healed, the day of our atonement, the day the LORD has made!

What a beautiful picture for us to hold tight. The day of our distress can also be the day of our salvation.

If, and when one will trust and come to know the God of glory.

So, my friend, no matter the forecast, the outlook, or the demise of the world. You and I can go on about our day singing.

“This is the day,

this is the day,

that the LORD has made

that the LORD has made

I will rejoice, I will rejoice, and be glad in it,

and be glad in it

Sing it daily my brothers and sisters.

From Your Pastor

Bro. Clay Hicks