(Psalms 92:5)
Psalm 118
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.2 Let Israel say: His love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the LORD say: “His love endures forever.”
5 When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place.
6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
7 The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them down.
11 They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them down.
12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
in the name of the LORD I cut them down.
13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and my defense, he has become my salvation.
15 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!
16 The LORD’s right hand is lifted high;the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die but live,and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
18 The LORD has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of the righteous, I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.
22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
23 the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.
25 LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.
27 The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 118 has been a prayer that God has given to me over this year. Especially, when I started praying about the Christmas cantata, I felt that I needed to pray with the Psalm in the sanctuary to proclaim that God is the one that we praise, worship, and glorify.
Sometimes people ask me why I emphasize that much about prayers over things. For me, prayer is a way to tell God that I can't do anything without Him and it is totally true. Not only asking God's help, but also confessing who I am. I have many bitter experience without prayers. Some people might have not noticed by seeing results only however, I know how bitter and regretful I was. I could share how faithfully God answered prayers over this time of preparation with prayers. God sent people to be a part of the cantata one by one faithfully. I usually named instrumental players and ask God which part instrumental parts were missing. Believe or not, in next couple of days, those part players showed up from middle of nowhere. How can I say that I did make it happen? I can't! God did!
The choir and I have prayed for several specific things over the Cantata; God's presence, glorifying God only- not us, good weather, unity in God, proclaiming Him only, full of people who especially got lost, or never had experience of relationship with God.
Whether we can see answers of our prayers or not, I know that God hear our prayers always and answer them in His perfect hand.
I am just truly grateful that God has led me to be a part of His ministry. I do not know how to be successful in Him without prayer and His help.
Christmas is near. I have a prayer that we all can be more focused who we prepare and celebrate for especially in this season. Let's proclaim to the world "Emmanuel!" God is with us!
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