God is Faithful - You Can Count on It

Psalm 138

For the next four weeks at UALC, our sermons are going to focus on thankfulness.  Each sermon will feature one of the Psalms. Four weeks in the Psalms - now that's a great place to dig into thankfulness.

I would encourage you to read this psalm out loud. There is something about reading scripture aloud that will help you focus your heart on what God wants for you. Try it!

The psalmist focuses on God's unfailing love and faithfulness (v. 3). And he adds that "when I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me. (v. 3). Note that there is action on the psalmist's part:  When I called. Yes, there are times when God calls us, but there are many times when we need to call on Him.

And he is always faithful to answer. It might not be the answer we think we want or deserve. Indeed, we will have trouble - take a look at verse 7 - 'though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save. '

What is the constant in the life of a Christian?  Surely not the absence of trouble, of hardship, or heartache. All of those we will experience in this earthly life.

The constant, unchanging truth is that God's love endures forever.  The  beloved hymn, Great is Thy faithfulness, has endured for more than 100 years because it clearly states truth:

Great is thy faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed thy hand has provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Yes, Lord, you are faithful, despite my faithlessness. Thank you for your word, and for psalm 138  Help me to plant these words deeply in my heart, and to call on you and know that your love will endure forever.  Amen.