Psalm 118:6 - With God - Why Fear!
Psalm 118:6 - With God - Why Fear!
Psalm 118:6 (NIV) The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
CONTEXT
Psalms 111-118 are called hallelujah psalms. Hallelujah means
"praise the LORD" [Life Application SB]
Psalm 118 is the last of the "Hallel" or "praise" psalms (Ps.
113-118), which were sung at the Passover. This was probably the hymn sung
by Jesus and the disciples in the Upper Room before they departed
for the Mount of Olives (Matt. 26:30). [New Bible Companion]
Psalm 118 A Song of Victory - Thanksgiving for the LORD'S Saving
Goodness.
Psalm 118 Look back to see ahead. Turn to yesterday to see
tomorrow. It's almost a paradox. But it's true. When Israel looked back
each Passover season at the redemption won for them from Egypt, they
were in fact looking ahead, and viewing the ministry of the Messiah.
What will His coming mean? A shout of praise, that "His love endures
forever" (vv. 2-4). Freedom found by taking refuge in the LORD (vv. 5-9).
A fresh awareness of our desperate need, relieved by the fact that
the LORD "has become my salvation" (vv. 10-14). Shouts of joy
punctuating the realization that "I will not die but live" (vv. 15-18).
Endless praise, as we enter the gates of heaven to give God thanks for
our salvation (vv. 19-21). And in it all, the exaltation of Jesus
who, rejected by the builders, became the cornerstone of God's plan
of salvation (vv. 22-23). Then comes the stunning realization that
"this is the day that the LORD has made"--a day that spills over into
eternity; a never-ending day throughout which we will give God thanks,
exalting Him for He is "my God" and because "He is good; His love endures
forever." Today when you and I turn to look back, we see our tomorrow in
the cross of Jesus, our Passover sacrifice. In the shadow of Calvary
we sense the dawn of the day that the LORD has ordained for you and
me. When we turn again after looking back at the cross, and look
ahead, we can see just beyond the horizon of tomorrow the return of
Christ. What will that return mean? How clearly this majestic psalm
tells us. For you and for me, Christ's return will mean freedom,
shouts of joy, and endless days of praise. Application: When you look
back to the cross, look intently until you see tomorrow. [The 365-Day
Devotional Commentary]
APPLICATION COMMENTARY
Doubtless the reader has been tried with the temptation to rely
upon the things which are seen, instead of resting alone upon the
invisible God. Christians often look to man for help and counsel, and mar
the noble simplicity of their reliance upon their God. Does this
evening's portion meet the eye of a child of God anxious about temporals,
then would we reason with him awhile. You trust in Jesus, and only in
Jesus, for your salvation, then why are you troubled? "Because of my
great care." Is it not written, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord"? "Be
careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication make
known your wants unto God." Cannot you trust God for temporals? "Ah! I
wish I could." If you cannot trust God for temporals, how dare you
trust him for spirituals? Can you trust him for your soul's
redemption, and not rely upon him for a few lesser mercies? Is not God
enough for thy need, or is his all-sufficiency too narrow for thy
wants? Dost thou want another eye beside that of him who sees every
secret thing? Is his heart faint? Is his arm weary? If so, seek another
God; but if he be infinite, omnipotent, faithful, true, and all-wise,
why gaddest thou abroad so much to seek another confidence? Why dost
thou rake the earth to find another foundation, when this is strong
enough to bear all the weight which thou canst ever build thereon?
Christian, mix not only thy wine with water, do not alloy thy gold of faith
with the dross of human confidence. Wait thou only upon God, and let
thine expectation be from him. Covet not Jonah's gourd, but rest in
Jonah's God. Let the sandy foundations of terrestrial trust be the
choice of fools, but do thou, like one who foresees the storm, build
for thyself an abiding place upon the Rock of Ages. [Morning and
Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon]
They can do nothing to me but what God permits them to do; they
can do no real damage, for they cannot separate between me and God;
they cannot do any thing but what God can make to work for my good.
The enemy is a man, a depending creature, whose power is limited,
and subordinate to a higher power, and therefore I will not fear
him. (Matthew Henry's Commentary)
Pilots put confidence in their planes. Commuters place
confidence in trains, cars, or buses. Each day we must put our confidence
in something or someone. If you are willing to trust a plane or car
to get you to your destination, are you willing to trust God to
guide you here on earth and to your eternal destination? Do you trust
him more than any human being? How futile it is to trust anything or
anyone more than God. [Life Application SB]
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own
understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your
paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
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