Soulfood

The Psalms of the Day for the eighteenth day of each month are 18, 48, 78, 108, and 138.

Psalm 18 is a prayer of thanksgiving for the LORD’s deliverance. Whether we are still waiting for God to rescue us from persecution and distress or we are looking back on times of trouble that are now past, this psalm teaches us to give thanks to the God Who supports us, draws us out of the raging waters, brings us to a level place where we can stand secure, and rescues us from those who seek to destroy us. We are encouraged by praying it to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness as we confess our sins and receive forgiveness, and we are exhorted to walk in blameless ways with clean hands. For the LORD saves a humble people, but brings down haughty eyes – so let us humble ourselves before Him, so let us give thanks, exalting the God of our salvation! 

Psalm 48 is a psalm of praise to God, calling us to meditate on His holy dwelling place where He brings us by faith in Jesus. We pray for one another that we would see through eyes of faith God’s triumph over all His and our enemies, and rejoice together as we tell one another and the coming generation about God Who brings us safely into His holy city and guides and guards us forever and ever! For those who are feeling discouraged and lonely, we pray this psalm in hope and ask for faith to see the heavenly reality in the midst of earthly struggles. 

Psalm 78 is another psalm we pray to remember the great works of salvation that God has accomplished for His people throughout history – and in Jesus we give thanks for the eternal salvation accomplished for us by His work on the cross! We remember His faithfulness and our sin, asking for mercy but also hoping confidently in the assurance of pardon we find in His holy Word. As we remember our sin and His mercy, we remember too that the Father raised up Jesus His servant in the line of David to shepherd His people and guide them – even us – to Mount Zion where we dwell with our triune God. Lord, come quickly!

By Psalm 108 we pray to our God of steadfast love, praising Him for His faithfulness and again praying for one another that we would cling to our Savior in the midst of various trials. Who will bring us to the fortified city where we will be safe and secure? God has tread down our foes and keeps us secure – so that we can be content in every circumstance! 

Psalm 138 is another prayer of thanksgiving – the theme of the day, apparently! Meditate on all that God has done for us at MCPC and give thanks to Him – and if you have been particularly blessed by God through the words and/or actions of a brother or sister, reach out and thank her or him as well. We can never know how a kind word might change the course of a person’s day. And as we give thanks with and for one another, we remember all the more what God has done in fulfilling His purposes for us. His steadfast love endures forever and He does not forsake the work of His hands – so take heart and walk in the midst of trouble knowing that God preserves our lives in Jesus Christ!