LOVE THAT LASTS FOREVER

Scripture-2, 14-24 (NRSV): Psalm 118:1

Do you ever need to have things repeated to you in order for you to remember them? If you are a parent, do you ever find yourself repeating things to your children? I must admit that I find myself needing repetition much more now than in the past. As I contemplated today’s scripture reading from the Psalms, I noticed all of the words that are repeated for us. Give thanks. His steadfast love endures forever. Salvation.Strength/strong. I shall not die/He did not give me over to death.

With Easter fast approaching, there is such hope in this scripture reading. We have much to be thankful for! Christ is strong and victorious. He is our salvation. His love endures forever.

Isn’t that what we all desire? We desire a love that lasts forever. Sometimes we look at that phrase through our humanness and we may have a hard time imagining an enduring love. Possibly something has happened in our lives to make us doubt that love can last forever. But we are promised the enduring love of Christ. We have a strong protector who is victorious over death and who loves us.

During this season of Lent and Easter, what words need to be repeated not only in your head but in your heart? I challenge you to look at today’s scripture passage and see what word or phrase touches you. Repeat that phrase each day, maybe even multiple times per day, and allow the words to flow from your head straight into your heart. We are loved with an everlasting love. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Scripture: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (NRSV)

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!

2Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

14The Lord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.

15There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lorddoes valiantly;

16the right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”

17I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.

18The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death.

19Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.

20This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.

21I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.

22The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

23This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

24This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.