1. Further Devotional Thoughts

The Center Holds.

Psalm 118 is more than the midpoint of the Bible; it’s a portrait of God’s heart. At the center of Scripture is not a rule or ritual, but a Redeemer. The psalm begins and ends with the declaration that God’s steadfast love endures forever, and in the middle it bursts with personal testimony, Messianic prophecy, and victorious praise.

It doesn’t promise the absence of suffering—only the presence of God’s deliverance. And it points us toward Jesus: the rejected stone who became the cornerstone. The altar-bound Lamb who became our salvation.

When the storms of life threaten, when you feel surrounded or falling, return to the center:

“The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.”

2. Discussion Questions

Psalm 118 begins and ends with “His steadfast love endures forever.” Why do you think this refrain is repeated so often? How could making that your “life’s refrain” change your perspective?

Verses 5–14 describe being surrounded, distressed, and attacked. What does the psalmist’s response reveal about how we should respond in seasons of pressure?

What does it mean that God’s love is not momentary, but enduring? Have you experienced that kind of love in a personal way?

Verse 14 is the center of the Bible: “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” How does this verse connect to your own story?

Jesus is described in this psalm as the stone the builders rejected that became the cornerstone. Why is this image powerful? What does it mean for Jesus to be the “cornerstone” of your life?

3. Daily Devotionals (Adults)

Theme: Living from the Center – Psalm 118

Monday – Psalm 118:1-4

“His steadfast love endures forever.”

Start your week remembering what doesn’t change. God’s love endures when everything else doesn’t. Meditate on one moment in your life when God’s love carried you.

Tuesday – Psalm 118:5-7

“Out of my distress I called…”

Have you called on the Lord in distress lately? Write a short prayer of honest need. He answers. He is with you.

Wednesday – Psalm 118:8-9

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord…”

Who or what do you trust when life gets shaky? What would it mean for God to be your first refuge instead of your last resort?

Thursday – Psalm 118:14

“The Lord is my strength and my song…”

This is the heart of Scripture. Is God both your strength in struggle and your song in joy? Say or sing this verse out loud today.

Friday – Psalm 118:22-24

“The stone the builders rejected…”

Rejection didn’t stop Jesus—it fulfilled God’s plan. Where are you feeling rejection? Remember: God uses the rejected to become cornerstones.

Saturday – Psalm 118:28-29

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good…”

End the week with gratitude. List 3 ways God has been good to you this week. Let thanks rise like praise.

4. Children’s Devotionals & Activities (Monday–Saturday)

Theme: God’s Love Is Forever – Psalm 118

Monday

📖 Read Psalm 118:1

🗣️ Say: “God’s love never ends!”

🎨 Activity: Draw a heart with no end—like a circle—and write “God’s Love” inside.

Tuesday

📖 Read Psalm 118:5

👂 Ask: What do you do when you’re scared or sad?

🎲 Activity: Play a game of “Freeze and Pray” — when someone shouts “trouble,” freeze and say, “Help me,

God!”

Wednesday

📖 Read Psalm 118:6

💪 Say: “God is on my side!”

🏃 Activity: Run a race and shout, “God is with me!” as you run to remind yourself He helps you keep going.

Thursday

📖 Read Psalm 118:14

🎵 Learn a simple chant:

“God is my strength, God is my song—

He’s been with me all along!”

🎤 Activity: Make instruments (rice in a bottle) and sing it.

Friday

📖 Read Psalm 118:22

🧱 Activity: Build a tower with blocks. Use one block as the "cornerstone" and explain how Jesus is the strong piece that holds everything together.

Saturday

📖 Read Psalm 118:24

🎉 Say: “Today is the day God made!”

🎨 Activity: Make a “Today is God’s Day” banner and decorate it with your favorite things about today.

5. Teen Devotionals (Monday–Saturday)

Theme: Let Jesus Be the Center – Psalm 118

Monday – Psalm 118:1-4

🧠 Reflect: What’s something you thought would last but didn’t?

💬 Pray: “God, help me trust your love that never ends.”

Tuesday – Psalm 118:5-7

😔 Question: Where do you feel “hemmed in” right now—by stress, pressure, fear?

💬 Journal: “In my distress I called, and God answered…”

Wednesday – Psalm 118:8-9

🔍 Evaluate: Do you rely more on people, or on God, for strength?

📓 Challenge: Fast from social media for an hour today and spend time listening for God’s voice instead.

Thursday – Psalm 118:14

🎧 Think: What’s your go-to song when life is hard?

💡 Challenge: Create a short playlist of songs that remind you of God’s salvation. Include this verse as your “album cover.”

Friday – Psalm 118:22-24

😞 Reflect: Have you ever felt like the “rejected stone”?

🔥 Truth: Jesus was rejected too—and God made Him the cornerstone. That means God has big plans even for your broken moments.

Saturday – Psalm 118:28-29

📖 Read again: “You are my God, and I will give thanks to you.”

🎯 Action: Write a one-sentence thank-you prayer. Text it to a friend or post it where you’ll see it every day.