“Let those who fear the Lord now say, ‘His mercy endures forever.’” vs4

We’re to say the Lord’s mercy endures forever. We’re not to doubt or shortchange God’s love to us. At all times, have a saving God reconciled to you by Christ, then go by his word. Depend upon his word, and not your feelings. Don’t depend on what others think. Ground your actions in Scripture, so you can be wise, acknowledging God’s mercy in everything.

Do not be haughty and lifted up. We’ve made it thus far by grace, and grace will take us home. It is not our strength + God’s mercy! It is God’s mercy alone. Humility will keep us near to Christ and gentle with people; it will make us love and preach Christ, rather than pointing people to themselves. If we don’t think we’re better than others, then we’ll talk about saving grace graciously.

Secondly, what can man do to us, when God is for us? Psalms 118:6, "The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" They can simply accomplish God’s will. They have not made him our enemy.

Jesus, as he endured the cross, was perfectly in God’s will, so God sustained him, as he put away sin. People meant it for evil, but it was God’s GREATEST TRIUMPH - to die for sinners, and rise again. This proves the glory of his character, and saves the elect, whom the Father gave him. It reveals God’s wisdom, justice, and love.

Don’t let circumstances make you doubt. Be reconciled to God, trust his word, and walk with his approval. Stay near to his goodness, even in painful hardships and sacrifices, and be at peace with your God. You have him, and you don’t need anyone else. Human approval can encourage, but it’s not the ground of confidence. Therefore, human disapproval shakes no confidence in God.

Thirdly, “I will destroy them.” Psalms 118:11, "They surrounded me, Yes, they surrounded me; But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them." Being confident is our inheritance in the Lord. There is no doubt in him. The promises are sure, and God’s faithfulness is beyond reproach.

Preach confidently, knowing that God will save the elect through the proclamation of the gospel. Glorify God in HOW YOU PREACH, and watch him work. He will prove that his word has power, and stubborn hearts will be converted. He’ll give a heart of flesh, where there was a stone [Ezek 36:26]. He’ll make men bow who stiffened their necks. Isaiah 49:23, “They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth, and lick up the dust of your feet.” Isaiah 60:14, “Also the sons of those who afflicted you shall come bowing to you, and all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; and they shall call you the City of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.” He’ll subdue hearts with revealed truth.

Christ went to the cross fully confident that he’d rise again, and we must focus on the victory assured to us, and not just the battle. Let there be no false humility here. If you believe on Christ, then you will be saved. Walk as commanded, and you’ll eat the fruit.

The Lord becomes our salvation, when he saves us. vs14, “The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.” We have to go through the journey to see his saving hand. God wants these things done in time and space. He doesn’t merely give us knowledge, but he delivers us to give us the experience. Angels don’t have this privilege. They’ve never been redeemed. This is reserved for God’s elect, who endure hardship. He delivers us from sin, so we can talk about it - both the guilt and the freedom. He delivers us from unbelief and distorting Scripture, so we can have peace. It is experiential knowledge of God that we gain by our troubles on earth.

Therefore, don’t fret in hard times. He has something to show you of his love and faithfulness. The storm rages, but he will speak peace to show his power.

Finally, Christ was not given to death. Psalms 118:18, "The Lord disciplined me severely but did not give me over to death." He died, but he didn’t stay dead. Death was not the final option for him, and it’s not for us. We both have a glorious resurrection that nothing can disturb. The martyrs are risen. All the slaughtered are remembered before the altar who trusted Christ and endured [Rev 6:9-11]. They gave up their lives, but they gained them again more gloriously. Persecution didn’t destroy the church, but it showed the glory of God in the gospel - that he’s worth dying for, and rewards us.