Sermon Quotes: "An Echo of Exodus for the New Year"

“New Years finds me employed. I compare it to a hill on a road, from the top of which I endeavor to look back on the way that the Lord has led me thus far through the wilderness (past). I look around to contemplate the difference his goodness has made between my situation, and that of thousands of my fellow creatures (present). I then look forward, and perceive that I am drawing apace to my journey’s end. I shall soon be at home (future).” John Newton

“In a simple reading of the psalm it may seem to be a monotonous repetition, but it is actually a forceful refrain. It focuses the attention of the congregation on the Lord’s intervention by his loyal love.” Allen Ross

“He is good beyond all others; indeed, he alone is good in the highest sense; he is the source of good, the good of all good, the sustainer of good, the perfecter of good, and the rewarder of good. For this he deserves the constant gratitude of his people.” Charles Spurgeon

“It means God’s deep goodness expressed in his covenant commitment, his absolute loyalty, his obligating of himself to bring to fruition the blessings that he has promised, whatever it may cost him personally to do that.” Sinclair Ferguson

“The psalm did not dwell on Israel’s failure to trust the Lord that led to the wilderness wandering, the open rebellions, the constant murmuring against the Lord, and the sin with the golden calf-the people knew all about these events. Rather it focused on the Lord’s wonderful acts of covenant love-which was even more praiseworthy considering how many times Israel failed.” Allen Ross

“The expression ‘Give thanks’ that opens the first three verses and the last suggests more than a casual ‘Thanks a lot.’ It has to do with “confessing” (in the old-fashioned sense), “acknowledging” (with thoughtful God-centeredness), with grateful worship.” Don Carson

“Everything in us is hardwired to believe that his love could come to an end at any time. That it is not steadfast but faltering. That he is like us. Throughout the psalm, therefore, we are reminded of God’s repeated acts of deliverance for his people down through history. And each time we are told why the Lord rescued his people: ‘for his steadfast love endures forever.’ He does not deliver his people because his people deserve it. He delivers because this is who he is toward wayward sinners.” ESV Devotional Psalter

“If ever we sing in our hymn, ‘Jesus, what didst Thou find in me/That Thou hast dealt so lovingly? the answer is as early as Deuteronomy 7:7-8: he ‘set his love on you’…’because he loves you.’ The answer is as total as Psalm 136. Love to the power of 26! Not in our greatness, worthiness, importance, significance-whatever-did he love us, when we were ‘without strength…sinners…enemies (Romans 5:6-10).” Alec Motyer