Do I believe this?

The Psalms repeatedly affirm the goodness and lovingkindness of God.  He is merciful.  He is trustworthy.

Reading Psalm 118 this morning, I wondered, “Do I believe this?”

So I turned the statements of the psalmist into a series of questions to test the condition of my heart —

• Do I believe that God is lovingly kind and good (v. 1)?  Then I will give thanks.
• Do I believe that God is for me?  Do I believe that man really cannot do anything to me (v. 6)?  Then I will not be afraid.
• Do I believe that it is better to trust in the Lord than man (v. 8)?  Do I believe that it is better to trust in the Lord than princes (authorities, v. 9)?  Then I will take refuge in Him — seeking Him and His wisdom first and only.
• Do I believe that the Lord is powerful to deal with all my adversities (vv. 10-13)?  Then I will respond to those difficulties in His name and power.
• Is the Lord the source of my strength?  Is the Lord my joy (v. 14)?  Do I recognize the supremacy of God’s power (v. 16)?  Then I will evangelisitically tell others of His mighty sufficiency (v. 17).
• Do I recognize God’s grace in imputing His righteousness to me?  Then I will give thanks for that righteousness which is undeserved (v. 19).
• Is the Lord’s salvation marvelous (miraculous!) to me (v. 23)?  Is He my God (v. 28)?  Do I recognize that He is good in all His dealings with me (v. 29)?  Do I see that all His gracious and lovingly kind acts are not for a moment, but eternal (v. 29)?  Then I will give thanks.

I summary, when we believe God, we will be grateful and evangelistic.  We will not fear, but instead will seek Him in all our troubles.  And we will learn to recognize and affirm His multiplied goodnesses to us in our salvation.