Exhortation:
Our call to worship today is from Psalm 118, but before we read it, allow me to provide some context.
Verse 22 (which we’ll read responsively) says “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”
King David had been rejected by those in authority, but in spite of that rejection, God elevated him as King over Israel. And this is the way that God often works – He takes what is rejected by the world as the instrument to accomplish His purpose so that all will see that this is His work. But beyond David, this Psalm points to David’s greater son – Jesus, who was rejected by the Jewish scribes, priests, Pharisees, and Herod. All these rejected him and sentenced him to death. But God raised Jesus from the dead, making him the living stone, the cornerstone, and head of the church.
When the Psalmist says “this is the day that the Lord has made,” he has a specific day in mind. He’s not making a general statement about how today, like every day, is made by God and is therefore deserving of praise. That is true, but that’s not the point he’s making here. The specific day that the Psalmist has in mind is the day of salvation, by which the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s work. This is His doing. This is the day of salvation that the Lord has made.
As believers on this side of the cross, we understand that the “day” that the Psalmist pointed to finds its fulfillment in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. So, let us rejoice and be glad in Jesus, who has become our salvation.
Let’s read from Psalm 118 responsively.
Call to Worship from Psalm 118
Leader: Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
ALL: for his steadfast love endures forever!
Leader: The LORD is my strength and my song;
ALL: he has become my salvation.
Leader: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
ALL: This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
Leader: This is the day that the LORD has made;
ALL: let us rejoice and be glad in it.
(Psalm 118:1, 14, 22–24 ESV)