READ Psalm 118:1–9. 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.
DON’T TRUST IN MAN. What does it mean to “trust in humans” (verse 8)? It is to build your life on the approval of others. You may feel good about yourself only if someone is romantically in love with you, or if you are being praised and complimented on your looks, intellect, or talent. But this will make you too needy of both affirmation and sexual intimacy, too devastated by criticism, too starry-eyed about celebrity. What is it to “trust in princes” (verse 9)? It is to make an idol out of power, to want too much to have influential friends, to need too much to be in charge yourself. This will leave you increasingly lonely as time goes on, for the essence of love is humble service (Romans 15:3). Take refuge in God.
Prayer: Lord, when I forget the Gospel I become dependent on the smiles and evaluation of others. I hear all criticism as a condemnation of my very being. But you have said that “there is now no condemnation” for me (Romans 8:1). You delight and sing over me (Zephaniah 3:14–17); you see me as a beauty (Colossians 1:22). Let me always remember that! Amen.