Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.  Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalms 118:15-29 NIV

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Lifted Up

By Jennifer Kane

Who lifted Jesus high, exalting Him above all?

Not the religious leaders — they rejected Him.

Not the Roman rulers — they crucified Him.

Not the crowds — they cried for another.

Not the disciples — they fled in fear.

Not His wealthy followers — they wrapped Him in burial cloth.

Not the faithful women — they wept in sorrow.

Only God the Father could lift Him high!

The hands of man faltered,

but the hands of God raised Him — victorious, eternal.

So I lift my hands, trembling, surrendered,

Reaching for You in every season.

In worship, I lift them.

In prayer, I lift them.

In my tears and in my joy,

I raise them high to the One who reigns forever.

And You, O Lord, reach down,

Your touch marking my life,

Your fingertips forever etched into my soul.

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Scriptures: Psalms 118:15-29 

The tents of the righteous echo with rejoicing and salvation because of what the Lord has done. His right hand—symbolizing His power and skill—has worked valiantly to deliver His people. As recipients of such great rescue, we are compelled to declare His works. We cannot stay silent about the victories God has wrought in our lives.

The psalmist proclaims, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord” (v. 17). This declaration reminds us that life itself is a gift with a purpose: to glorify God. When we face chastening or trials, it’s not for our destruction but for our refinement. Just as the psalmist was delivered from the threat of death, we, too, can find confidence in the resurrection power of Jesus, who sang this psalm on the eve of His crucifixion.

When the psalmist asks for the “gates of righteousness” to be opened, it’s a picture of triumph and access to God. For us, these gates are flung wide through Jesus Christ, the rejected stone that has become the chief cornerstone. Through Him, we have a foundation for faith, a pathway to salvation, and a call to join in the eternal song of praise.

The psalm culminates in the beautiful confession: “This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (v. 24). While this can be applied to any day, it prophetically points to the day of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem—a foretaste of His ultimate victory over sin and death.

As we meditate on this passage, we’re reminded of God’s sovereignty and His ability to turn rejection into exaltation. The psalmist’s call to “bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar” (v. 27) points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. Because of His work on the cross, we can confidently say, “You are my God, and I will exalt You” (v. 28).

What victories has the Lord worked in your life that you can rejoice in today? How does Jesus’ role as the chief cornerstone provide stability and hope in your life? In what ways can you live out the call to “declare the works of the Lord”?

Take time today to declare the works of the Lord in your life. Share a testimony with someone about God’s faithfulness, write it in your journal, or include it in a prayer of thanksgiving.

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Father God, my Lord and my savior, thank you so much for what your right hand has done so valiantly in my life. Thank You for delivering me, refining me, and calling me to declare Your amazing works. Help me to see every day as a day You have made, full of reasons to rejoice and be glad. May my life reflect Your glory, and may my praise exalt You as my God and Savior. You give me new blessings every day, so thank you for being here as holy spirit encouraging me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

November 20 2024