Psalm 118:23 – “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.”
Many years ago, our family was in Paris on the day that the museums were free to go into. In the Musée d’Orsay there are lots of pictures painted by Claude Monet, of the lake, with the bridge and the lilies. People were admiring. “This is Monet’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.”
However (and sorry to Monet lovers), I thought the real thing was better. A few years before, we had been to Monet’s house and seen the water and the trees – these things that had come from the Lord Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, that were watered by His rain from heaven, and blossomed because of His care for the creation – THIS is the Lord’s doing; and it is marvellous, far better than anything man can do.
But this Psalm 118 looks at something even greater than the work of creation. It looks at the work of the greatest King – Jesus. He was surrounded by death and judgement for us (Psalm 118:10-13). He did not die but He rose (Psalm 118:17). He is the stone the builders rejected who has become the cornerstone (Psalm 118:22, Matt 21:42). He has opened the gate of heaven that we can enter (Psalm 118:20-21).
This amazing salvation. Let’s stop today and say, “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.”
Pause and admire. Open your mouth and worship. “And when I think that God, His Son, not sparing, sent Him to die – I scarce can take it in…. Then sings my soul… How great Thou art.”
The best is yet to come 