Bible Studies

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The Songs
Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24 - Rejoicing in Salvation

Key Verses: (NRSV)

• 1: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever!” - In the midst of all situations God’s gracious love endures. We can turn to Him in all things to find strength and perseverance.
  
  
• 14: “The Lord is my strength and my might; He has become my salvation.” - When we turn to God first and center our lives on His love, we find that He leads us into a path of righteousness that reflects the saving grace that He has provided.
  
  
• 17: “I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.” - Death can mean many things including death of the spirit and of hope. Our relationship with God provides life, inspiring us to share with others how His love has transformed our lives.
  
  
• 19: “Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.” - The ‘gates of righteousness’ is a description of the path we each must take as we turn from selfish concerns into a life that focuses always on God. With this “new” focus our lives are transformed and our hearts burst forth in songs of thanksgiving.
  
  
• 22: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” - In Mark 12:10-11 Jesus quotes this verse in the Parable of the Wicked Farmers. This reference describes how He will be rejected by the Scribes and Pharisees only to become the foundation for hope throughout the world.
  
  
• 24: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” - Regardless of our worries or afflictions, this verse shows us that there is so much to be thankful for. When we rejoice are hearts become glad.
  

Points to Contemplate:

• Has the Lord become your salvation? With Easter just a few days away, take the time in your life today to reflect on the God's gift of salvation for you. Do you accept this very personal gift that is suited specifically for you? Do you cherish this gift? Have you ever received a greater gift of love? Does the way you live your life reflect to glory of this gift of salvation?
  
  
• Are you living to recount the deeds of the Lord? Does your life have any greater purpose? Are you walking through the gates of righteousness and in the pathway of the Lord? Can you see that you are being made Holy in your journey with God? Do others see a spark of God's glory in the way you live your life? Do you sing songs of praise and thanksgiving for the transforming love of God?
  
  
• In what ways is Christ your cornerstone? Is He the foundation for everything you do? Does He provide you strength and endurance? Does He give you direction and purpose? Are you defined by the character of His love? Does the world see, in the way you live your life, that Christ is at the center of your every thought, action, or deed?
  
  
• Are you rejoicing? Can you look out into the morning sky and say, "This is the day that the Lord has made; (I will) rejoice and be glad in it?” Or are you filled with worry and dread for what lays ahead. Do you look at the setting sun and praise God for the promises He has fulfilled in and through you? Or are you focused on the dark storm clouds of doubt and selfishness? Can you look into the faces of those you meet this day and see the glory of God revealed? Or are you simply wrapped up in conflict and dispute? In the midst of any trial, tribulation, or struggle are you able to remember the glory of Easter morning and rejoice in the Lord?
  

Promise of the Gospel:

Christ, “the stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” He is alive, risen from the dead and sitting at the right hand of God. He has opened the gates of righteousness for each of us to follow. What greater gift than His gift of salvation could we ever experience? No matter what we face in life, with the glory of Easter morning in our hearts, we can rejoice and sings songs of praise for "this is the day that the Lord has made."

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