Psalm 138 ~ give thanks for Your name, steadfast love and faithfulness

Psalm 138

1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
2 I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.
3 On the day I called, you answered me;
my strength of soul you increased.

4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of your mouth,
5 and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.


We had an excellent sermon today from our Deacon. She included an ancient African parable, she emphasized is not of the bible, but is a learning parable - giving a thought to ponder:

Jesus and his disciples were walking & Jesus asked each of the disciples to carry a stone with them from the side of the path. The disciples all chose a different sized stone, John chose a very large stone and Peter a small one. Later in the day, Jesus asked the disciples to put the stones down and He changed the stones into bread. It was the end of the day, the disciples were hungry and Peter only had a very small amount of bread. John had plenty and shared with Peter and the others.

The next day, Jesus asked again for the disciples to pick up a stone. Almost all the disciples chose larger stones. They carried the stones with them to the Sea of Galilee & Jesus asked the disciples to cast the stones into the water. The disciples quickly threw the stones into the water and waited. Jesus and the disciples all watched the water. Thomas asked, with the others, "What miracle would Jesus do with the stones today?" "Yes," they all asked, "what would Jesus do?"

Jesus answered, "Today you all threw a stone into the water & you will receive a question: for what person and what reason did you carry a stone today?"

Human nature in all of us. The gods we have: self-centered love, competition, abundance, greed, boredom, false subservience and power.

Remember the chapter after Jesus fed the thousands?

Matthew 16:5-12
⁵When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. ⁶"Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

⁷They discussed this among themselves and said, "It is because we didn't bring any bread."

⁸Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? ⁹Do you still not understand? Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ¹⁰Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ¹¹How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." ¹²Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Praise be to you Father, for giving us the highest name of Jesus Christ as Lord. We give you thanks for your steadfast love and faithfulness.

<><