A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 117

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 117
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles!
Laud Him, all you peoples!
For His merciful kindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 117:1-2)
 
One of the wonderful things about God’s Truth is it takes all the guess work out of living. True truth is God’s Truth. Once you know God’s Truth you don’t need to check back every year to see if anything has changed. God’s Truth sets us free from the anxiety and worry of wondering if we’re missing out on something important. God’s Truth is our true north, our plum line, and our cornerstone. Count on it! Build your life upon it! Follow it and never look back.
 
As a founder of DaySpring Cards, I needed to create some editorial guidelines for new employees. It was important for everyone who worked there to understand what we did, why we did it, and how to get it done. The purpose of the company was to make Christ known in our generation and to encourage God’s people through messages of love, hope, and comfort. Our purpose would have been impossible to fulfill without the Truth of God’s Word. Without His Truth we would have lost our way, our message, and our ministry. Truth was our “keeper of the spring” to keep God’s heart flowing to others.
 
Many years ago, Peter Marshal, a chaplain of the US Senate, shared an illustration called The Keeper of the Spring. This wonderful story can have many applications. As you read it, consider Truth as a life-protecting “Keeper” of the river of God’s living water freely flowing into your heart. 
 
The Keeper of the Spring
 
A quiet forest dweller who lived high above an Austrian village along the eastern slopes of the Alps. The old gentleman had been hired many years ago by a young town council to clear away the debris from the pools of water up in the mountain crevices that fed the lovely spring flowing through their town. 
 
With faithful, silent regularity, he patrolled the hills, removed the leaves and branches, and wiped away the silt that would otherwise choke and contaminate the fresh flow of water.

By and by, the village became a popular attraction for vacationers. Graceful swans floated along the crystal-clear spring, the mill wheels of various businesses located near the water turned day and night, farmlands were naturally irrigated, and the view from restaurants was picturesque beyond description.
 
Years passed. One evening the town council met for its semiannual meeting. As they reviewed the budget, one man's eye caught the salary figure being paid the obscure keeper of the spring. Said the keeper of the purse, "Who is the old man? Why do we keep him on year after year? No one ever sees him. For all we know the stranger of the hills is doing us no good. He isn't necessary any longer!" By a unanimous vote, they dispensed with the old man's services.
 
For several weeks nothing changed. By early autumn the trees began to shed their leaves. Small branches snapped off and fell into the pools, hindering the rushing flow of sparkling water. One afternoon someone noticed a slight yellowish-brown tint in the spring. A couple days later the water was much darker. Within one week, a film covered sections of the water along the banks and a foul odor was soon detected. The mill wheels moved slower, some finally ground to a halt. Swans left as did the tourists. Clammy fingers of disease and sickness reached deeply into the village.
 
Quickly, the embarrassed council called a special meeting. Realizing their gross error in judgment, they hired back the old keeper of the spring . . . and within a few weeks the veritable river of life began to clear up. The wheels started to turn, and new life returned to the hamlet in the Alps once again.
-Peter Marshal
 
Insight: Be sanctified by His Truth. John 17:17
Do nothing against His Truth: 2 Corinthians 13:8
Be established in His Truth. 2 Peter 1:12
Walk in His Truth. 2 John 1:4
 
Insight: Let His Truth be the keeper of your thoughts. His Truth will keep the debris and corruption of the world from finding a home in your heart and mind.
 
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things (Philippians 4:8 NKJV).

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow
©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 
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