Read: Psalm 117
What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? If you guessed Psalm 117 you are correct. It only has two verses and is the exact middle chapter of the entire Bible. It is so short I can quote it in its entirety right here. “Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love towards us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.” What is the longest chapter in the Bible? Tune in next week for the answer to that.
What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? If you guessed Psalm 117 you are correct. It only has two verses and is the exact middle chapter of the entire Bible. It is so short I can quote it in its entirety right here. “Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love towards us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.” What is the longest chapter in the Bible? Tune in next week for the answer to that.
So, what does this shortest chapter of the Bible proclaim? To extol (praise enthusiastically) the Lord for his love and faithfulness to us. This Psalm is a great reminder that God’s incredible love for each of us is reason to praise him and follow him in life. As the favorite hymn “The Love of God” says, “it is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell.”
In his book “Knowing God” J.I. Packer writes, “What matters supremely is not the fact that I know God, but the larger fact that he knows me. I am engraved on the palms of His hands. I am never out of His mind. All my knowledge of Him depends on His sustained initiative in knowing me.” These words remind us that no matter what happens in life God keeps us in mind and his love and faithfulness for us will never cease.
Too often we forget about this love of God that surrounds us. We begin to focus on our failures, difficulties, and troubles, instead of focusing on God’s love for us. When love is difficult to find in the world it is always close at hand with God. This is why our relationship with Jesus and our spiritual focus in life is so important. We can find many reasons to give praise to the Lord when we remind ourselves of God’s love and faithfulness to us each and every day.
Make it Personal: If you are searching for God’s love in life you can find it in Jesus. God’s son loves you and the people of this world so much that he came to earth to save you from sin and condemnation. (John 3:16) He died on the cross to bring you salvation. All you need to do to receive it and realize his love for you is to believe in him and make him the Lord of your life.
Have a great week, Pastor Glen Rhodes
