My response to Psalm 117 is a familiar response to one who wants to be a disciple of Jesus. It is simply to tell the world the Good News. I need to look for those who cannot come to church, do not come to church or will not come to church. That is a challenge for 2020.

    Extol him, all peoples!
For great is his steadfast love toward us,
    and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord! – Psalm 117:1-2 ESV

I can do this because I have a sense of belonging – I have security in God’s care.  

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
    which cannot be moved, but abides forever. – Psalm 125:1 ESV

I heard so many teachings as a teenager and young adult about the danger of being a lukewarm Christian. I did have a sense of fear that I might be one. It helped in the sense that I found myself getting “saved” all over again quite a few times. Doubt and confusion was replacing faith.

This Psalm has the discipleship message that shouts that I am secure, my faith is secure and that I had no need to be anxious, for I was safe. And like a good discipleship Psalm, it points not to me but to who God is.

However, there is a message here to those who wilfully and purposely go against God.

But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
the Lordwill lead away with evildoers! – Psalm 125:5a ESV

It means that if I cast my lot with those who did not seek God, my desire would be fulfilled to my ruin. It may even be that I may not recognize that I am wilful and if so, I may find myself lukewarm. As a wavering, unsteadfast, half-hearted disciple I might seem more of a hypocrite and rebel.