THIS IS THE DAY!

Ps 118.

"Prophets of all ages saw its gleaming from afar.." NOW it is HERE! Like men waiting for their Lord faithful Peters and Johns have looked with expectancy and hastened the day of the One they loved. Now He has COME! To men impatient of hope’s realisation the hand of the Divine Time-clock has seemed not to move. Yet it HAS moved, though to human eyes imperceptibly, and NOW is the HOUR! This is indeed the day prepared by the Lord, and the call to Zion, to Israel, and to the world, is

"Let us be glad and rejoice in it."

Some of the psalms open with a call to praise the Lord. They go on to explain why such praise is due, and close again with a call to praise. Ps 118, of our text, is one of those psalms. It is, in fact, the concluding Hallel psalm to be sung at Passover deliverance celebration, a song of deliverance and triumph. It is good to remember this when we recall that this was probably the last hymn to be sung by Jesus and the disciples when they left that upper room. It is indeed a hymn of Millennial Dawn. It looks beyond trial to victory, the overcoming of all enemies, and the salvation of God. Whoever was prompted to write this psalm, whether David or someone else of later years, it doubtless testified to a personal sense of divine triumph in that person’s life. But ultimately it was prophetical, and prophesy not merely of some passing time of prosperity of Israel’s past, but of the final triumph by the hand of the Lord. We can know this with certainty, for part of the psalm was quoted by Jesus when He spoke of the time of His return and the eventual welcome He would receive from those who had once rejected Him. Mt 21:42, "Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?"

There is so much that the Lord has packed into this day, so much He has prepared that will bring forth His praise. We know that many of the signs of this day seem ominous. There is no hiding the fact that trouble means trouble, and this psalm refers to some of that trouble, but the fact also remains that sooner or later, when the trouble has done its work and the dark clouds lift, the gleams of that Sun of Righteousness will reach this tear-washed earth, and the blessed effects will be, like the love of God, forever. That is the supreme cause for praise in verse 1. "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever." [.. his lovingkindness (endureth) for ever. (ASV).. his steadfast love endures for ever! (RSV)]

The Hebrew word for "mercy" in the AV text (hesed) is a very special word, with a beautiful depth of meaning still not fully fathomed by the experts, but with undoubted reference to the qualities of the Love of God, a faithful love, true always and unfading. A dear brother once told me how wonderful he was finding a study of this word. The more he looked into it the more absorbing it became to him.. and the Lord took him. What a lovely way to go, to become absorbed in the lovingkindness which dwarfs and outlives the eternal hills, until we are translated by the Lord with that vision in our hearts, to dwell forever at its Source. This is the day that, of all days, is to reveal the steadfastness of divine love in its fullness.

It is the day the Lord has prepared, and before its close those things His love has made ready will fill earth and heaven too with praise.. a feast of "fat things" indeed! A programme of events has been set in motion, and one by one in sequence they progress with unfaltering resolution. There is a sense of inevitability which marks their course, a sense of purpose and direction. It is the programme of "that day" in so many places of the Word described, the programme of the second advent of Christ. This is it! This is the day the Lord has prepared, and before its close the gladness of rejoicing and the singing of redeemed men on earth, the joy in heaven over every tear of repentance, the oil of joy for mourning, and the spirit of praise will replace the spirit of heaviness and fill this earth. { Mal 1:11} "from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts."

Three groups are called upon in Ps 118 (verses 2, 3, & 4.) to acknowledge from their own experience the faithfulness of divine love. They are named in the order of the Lord’s first dealings with them. First Israel, then the house of Aaron picturing the church, and finally all mankind when in turn they come into a relationship with God. Here the latter are described as "those who fear the Lord", yet not Israel nor the church. As proselytes or strangers of the land the gentile nations once without God and without hope in the world, and outside the covenant of promise, will be no more "afar off." The gates will be open, and they will walk in the light of the Lamb, that gentle persuasive warmth of the love of God that will draw all men until all come into that great family of God, a family to be one day complete in heaven and on earth. In the words of the Amplified version, all will reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord, and say, that His mercy and lovingkindness endures forever.

From each of these groups the testimony rises as one harmonious voice into a mighty chorus of praise. In fact the church are the first to give their witness to that unchanging love. Soon they will be joined in praise by Israel, and then mankind, a threefold sure witness the echoes of which will grace age upon age throughout eternity. What is that witness? That when the Lord loves His love is forever! Each individual member of His church testifies to the joy and peace this blessed knowledge brings. So much about us has proved that love of God, proved it to love’s uttermost.. Our desperate need as members of a sinful race.. Love’s patience, gentleness and intimate understanding of the needs of each child through every stage of growing up into Christ. How persistent has been that love in our lives! How much it has endured! All those blessed qualities described by Paul in 1Co 13, were of a great love he had experienced, had proved in his own relationship with God. We are each in the centre of that love and have each tasted the grace of the Lord. How long has love suffered in our lives the clumsiness of infant weakness, the persistence of childish faults even into maturer years. With great patience does the Husbandman wait for the fruitage that will glorify His Name, and prove a worthy harvest to a love so great. The walk on earth is one of increasing awareness of this love, and the response in our hearts is one of grateful praise, while as the saints gather beyond the veil "they will be still praising thee." { Ps 84:4}

O what rich incense of praise now rises to the Lord! The testimony that follows in verses 5 to 14 contains the framework of so many testimonies of God’s people of every age. Ps 118:5-14 5 "Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. 6 With the LORD on my side I do not fear. What can man do to me? 7 The LORD is on my side to help me; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. 10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 12 They surrounded me like bees, they blazed like a fire of thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me. 14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." (RSV)

We each of us know that "large place" of verse 5, AV. "the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place." This is the opposite to the confined, restricted, prison-like conditions of straightened circumstances, pressed from every side. The very design of such experience we now recognise to be the tasting of the divine power to save and to deliver. Ps 34:4 "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." That freedom from fear may seem a somewhat precarious state of mind, but it is not dependent upon the visible and tangible circumstances and scenes of earthly life. This kind of deliverance enables song and praise when the feet are in the stocks in the darkness of the innermost prison. It is the sense of triumph in Christ that overwhelms natural fear and trepidation in the face of trial. It is the new mind that enjoys the safety of the secret place of the Most High when the plague draws near that dwelling. How near is "near"? It can be the flesh itself that is being consumed, yet is the mind secure in the stronghold of faith. The plight of David that drew forth the cry of fearfulness in Ps 55, is representative of the needs of the David class of this age that cry out to the Lord.. (verse 6) "..Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest."

To this cry the Lord responds as with David of old.. Ps 18:6-19 6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. 7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. 8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. 9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. 10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. 12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. 13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. 14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. 15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. 16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. 19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

Rev 12:14 "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished.." Israel too will yet echo the testimony of the saints. For the natural seed too this has been an age of trial, a fire to refine and prepare her for her future role. In the last days of Israel’s testing just before us she will learn the song and join the chorus of praise to God for her deliverance. With Israel the Lord has dealt longer than with any people. They are His witnesses. They shall show forth His praise. Oh what enduring love the Lord reveals towards this obstinate and rebellious race! Jer 31:3, "The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."

Deut 7:7-9, "The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: 8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;"

The people of Israel have shared with the world of mankind a remarkable resilience in their resistance to the love of God. It is in view of this long history of rebellion that we ask with wonder how the Lord will achieve in them so great a change of heart and that with permanence { Ho 2:19 20} How will He produce within the next few years that responsive love that three and a half millennia have not brought forth? To contemplate the sufferings of the Jew these past many centuries is awing to the mind. The attempt of Hitler and others to wipe out the Jew from the face of Europe came at the end of an age of tribulation, massacres, and various other attempts throughout the long centuries to achieve that same objective. The bush seen by Moses that burned with fire yet was not consumed could well be taken as a symbol for the nation itself. Yet today, the generation that escaped the concentration camps and gas chambers has been largely replaced by a new generation that knew not the terrors of fifty years ago. Has that history produced in them a deep lasting love for the Lord and delight in His ways? Is the God of Israel the Lord of Hosts, or do they still trust in the sword, the power of arms? Yet the promise remains in Ho 2:18-20 "And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely. 19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. 20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.

The sufferings of the treading down of Gentile Times have passed. We believe that these hard experiences will not be wasted, but the most crucial moments on which Israel’s future hang lie just ahead. The Lord is at work, and His ways are wonderful. This is the day the Lord has prepared. The church are all but ready, complete, poised for the work before them, so are the ancient worthies, His cloud of faithful witnesses, who each have testified in Dedication.."my lips shall praise Thee.." because "Thy lovingkindness (steadfast love) is better than life itself.." This brings us to the moment for the final preparation of the nation of Israel. They too are to confess to the changeless love of God, that love that did not, does not, let them go.

Ps 118:10-13 "All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. (11) They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. (12) They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off. (13) I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me." (NIV) How graphically is thus described Israel’s dire straits in the midst of those last scenes of trial still before her.

The "enemy" is described in Zec 14:2. "For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city." Here we see contingents of armies representative of many nations of earth gathered like vultures to the prey. Many students are watching Israel today with these prophecies in mind.

It has long been suggested that the language of Zec 12 and 14, and other places that seem to describe this last great battle are highly symbolic and may refer to past troubles of the nation of Israel, perhaps including her tribulation during the past two millennia at the hands of all the nations into which she has been scattered. This would require that the term, "in that day", repeated throughout the prophecy, must last from the time of the first advent at least and stretch onwards into the millennium. Brethren, we think not. We feel that, apart from other considerations, the frequent use of this expression identifies most clearly for us the day of which the Lord speaks through the prophet Zechariah as THIS DAY in which we live.

Twenty times the expression "in that day" appears in the prophecies of Zechariah. Nineteen of these undoubtedly refer to the times after Israel’s restoration. Let us look at the texts and ask, "Is this past, or future?" A strong metaphor is used in Zec 12:2. "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem."

Here Unger comments, "This means that their attack of Jerusalem will be like men greedily draining a wine goblet in pleasure, but in the end finding themselves helplessly drunk and unable to take the coveted prize." The Lord will "have them in derision." Zec 12:3-10 "And IN THAT DAY will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. 4, IN THAT DAY saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness. 5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God. 6 IN THAT DAY will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem. 7 The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah. 8 IN THAT DAY shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. 9 And it shall come to pass IN THAT DAY, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."

IN THAT DAY describes a state of complete hopelessness of Israel’s situation in the face of so great a Foe.[chapter 14] They will be powerless, a nation on the brink of extinction. But, Zec 14:3 "Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle." Verse 4. "IN THAT DAY" His feet shall stand upon the Mount of Olives, the day of the Lord’s presence as God’s representative, the One appointed of God to judge the earth. Verse 6 "And it shall come to pass IN THAT DAY, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:" Verse 8, "IN THAT DAY" living waters shall flow. "And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be." And verse 9, "IN THAT DAY" the Lord’s sovereignty over every human heart shall be achieved and declared. "And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one." Verse 13. "And it shall come to pass IN THAT DAY, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour." Verse 20, "IN THAT DAY shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar."

This is THE DAY that the Lord has prepared for gladness and rejoicing.. once the introductory troubles have done their work. There can be no doubt in the mind that the day described is this day in which we live.

Isa 57:10-13 is of interest here too. "You were wearied by all your ways, but you would not say, ‘It is hopeless.’ You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint. Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have been false to me, and have neither remembered me nor pondered this in your hearts? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me? I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you. When you cry out for help, let your collection save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain." Verse 16 "For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made." (KJV)

Then, it is awing to think of, in the midst of that great deliverance of all times of the regathered people of Israel, at the culmination of so dramatic a victory, and revelation of the Lord’s abiding faithfulness and love, the nation mourns. The message at last gets through. The spirit of contention gives way to the spirit of contrition as broken pride and broken hearts turn to the Lord. Isa 57:15 "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

Verse 8, of Ps 118, is, we are told, the middle verse of the Bible. As the verse arrangements are purely a human innovation of over four centuries ago, this can have little significance, yet what a central lesson it happens to express for both Israel and for all mankind. "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." Three times, in verses 10, 11, & 12, is repeated the statement against the might of all that come against Israel. "All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them." {margin "cut down".] Certainly the prestige and pride of the nations will be cut down to size in this final conflict of nations against the Lord and His appointed King. That Hebrew word for "destroy" is translated in most other places "circumcised", ie, "cut around." It is Rotherham who notes the possible implications of this word being used in this context. Beyond the thought of Israel using the sword of the Lord to cut down her enemies, he saw the possibility of of the circumcising knife being turned by penitent Israel against herself, "in the way of cutting herself free from the entangling alliances which nearly strangle her on her return from captivity." Rotherham goes on to describe such an allusion as one "worthy of thus being embalmed in song" as Israel profits "by the chastening hand of God." It is interesting that such a student, writing as he did before 1914, so well understood the situation that would be likely to develop upon Israel’s return to the land, when she would heavily lean upon the power of flesh, the help of friends of the Gentile world, the help of USA and other nations. How deeply she must learn the lesson of verse 8. "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

What mourning will there be in Israel when the truth dawns, as they look upon their Messiah, the One they had rejected, and Whose great love they have so long resisted. What an enduring lesson to all of how wrong one can be! What a lesson of the durability, notwithstanding all, of that steadfast love of the Lord. Ps 118:2 "Let Israel now say, that his mercy [his lovingkindness] endureth for ever." So will the sound of weeping turn to contrition and appreciation of His mercy and grace, leading to a deep-based return to the Lord with Whom bonding is made. Verse 15 "The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous: The RIGHT HAND of Jehovah doeth valiantly." (ASV) ["has done mighty things!" (NIV)] The right hand of the Lord will then be recognised, Jesus, Messiah, that has done and will yet do mighty things for them. Ps 45:3-4, "Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness;" Ps 118:16-17 "The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. I shall not die, [ Israel says then,] but live, and declare the works of the LORD." This is her future mission, the mission of the true witnesses of Jehovah of Isa 43, where the Lord is calling to those whose eyes and ears are dimmed and dull and blocked to truth.

Isa 43:9-11, 9 "Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. 10 YE ARE MY WITNESSES, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. (11) I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour."

In verse 19 of Ps 118, we have the response of the chastened people of verse 18. "Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:" We know that "Gate of righteousness" through which they must enter to know fellowship with God. "I am the Way, Truth, Life.." "No man comes to the Father but by Me.." Through that gate will they progress towards the blessings of everlasting life. So long as they continue to despise and reject that gate they will never enter into life. This moment of truth for Israel will but trigger many such moments of truth for the rest of mankind whom in many ways Israel seems to symbolise. What an awakening that will be, for all will eventually walk in the Light of the Lamb of God. Ps 118:22 "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner." We even now can anticipate ahead of Israel and the world the joyous effects of of this realisation. Verses 23-24 "This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." This is indeed the work of the Lord, and all will wonder at the wisdom, mercy, love and great skill therein revealed. THIS is the day so long foretold and so long prepared of the Lord, the cause at first of great trial, but ultimately everlasting joy.

Would we not love the results NOW! We have the evidences around us that the day is here. Our natural desire would be to now jump, as it were, to the end results of such happiness that this earth has never known. How much more those who did not have the privilege of living to see this day, but glimpsed through misty vision from afar, how much more did they desire and earnestly implore the blessings of divine salvation with the cry.. "Hossana! Save NOW..!" Verse 25, "Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity." The word "Hosanna" means just that, "save now!" We hear it in the cries of the multitude smarting under the Romans as Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem on the colt of the ass. Mt 21:9, "And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." Verse 10, "And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?" We remember the Master’s tears over that city. How fickle their moods! How easily turned, their hearts, from the Lord! Mt 23:39, "For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."

So, verse 26, of Ps 118. "Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD." At last the light of recognition, the welcome without inhibition, without the Question,"who is He?" The full confession comes in verse 27. "God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light:" The light of truth is now in their eyes and hearts, Jesus, the Light of the world. It is the Lord Who achieves this opening of blind eyes and unstopping of deaf ears, for this is His day, the day prepared and set apart for the full culmination of the redemptive purpose. This is the day for the destruction, the eating up, of the veil on Israel’s heart and the face of the covering from over all people. Verse 27 then describes the bringing of the praise-offerings unto the Lord, the acknowledgment of His glory. "Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar." This is the wonderful effect of the truth and its spirit upon the heart. The sacrifice is bound with cords, some put it, not to the horns of the altar, but in procession right up to the horns of the altar. "Make ready the festal sacrifice with garlands until (it is consummated at) the horns of the altar." (the altar.. the perfect Will of God to which it gladly submits.) Thus is symbolised the adoring worship of a responsive heart. Such will be the willing responses of many hearts in the kingdom of THIS DAY. The word for sacrifice here means strictly "a feast", by figure put for the offerings of a feast day. At the Passover feast it was the Lord Himself, at Pentecost, the Church. Now the final harvest ingathering, the feast of booths or tabernacles, signifying full heart reliance upon the Lord Alone,"thy people will be willing (willing offerings) in the day of Thy power." { Ps 110}

The Tabernacle of God will be with men, and He will dwell among them and be their God, and they will be truly His people, the people of God, His very own peculiar possession, dedicated and devoted to Him forever. Each offering has been thus far an offering of love, Jesus, those who follow. This must and will be true of every offering yet to be made acceptable to the Lord. These are the bonds that will bind other hearts as they now bind our own hearts to the Lord. These are also the garlands that adorn the offering. The gates of the city, the entrance into every blessing of fellowship and relationship with the Lord, are named "Praise." Verses 28-29, "Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."

O sanctify the Lord with me, and every time we read these words of Ps 118 and share the gladness and rejoicing of this His day, let us remember that Lamb of God leaving that upper room with the eleven, singing these words, seeing beyond the travail of His soul the glory of this day in which we now live knowing that in the darkness and the agony that awaited Him lay the way, the only way, that could lead to all the blessings of this day, and to that great chorus of praise to His Father..

In that He will indeed be satisfied!