E57 - Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions - The Center Chapter of the Bible

Hope’s Harbor

Gritty Bible Devotions

Episode #57

Title: Centermost Chapter?

Date: June 6, 2022

Contact: info@hopesharbor.net

Key verse(s): Psalm 118:8 – ‘It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man,’ is it the centermost chapter in the Bible?

By the way, to trust in this verse means to flee for protection; figuratively to confide in: - have hope, make refuge, (put) trust.

Intro: I heard years ago and read recently that depending on the version of the Bible one uses, Psalm 118 is the center chapter, but there is an argument online it is not.

It is true that Psalm 118 is preceded by the shortest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 117, and followed by the longest, Psalm 119.

One thing seems certain: verse 8 of Psalm 118 is the center verse of that chapter.

I have never counted chapters but will do so this week because of the discrepancies in online sources. Nevertheless, this is an amazing occurrence if the claim is accurate.

Also consider that when the Bible was completed and the New Testament was added, there were chapters and no verses.

• Chapters were added to the Bible in 1238 by Cardinal Hugo de S. Caro.

• Verse divisions were added in the year 1551 by Robertus Stephanus.

Devotion focus: Psalm 118:8 contains a central place in a Christian’s life if, and only if, that Christian wants and pursues a life of faith (trust) in GOD… regardless of circumstances or outcome of that trust.

Anyone aware of current events in the world today knows grim events are happening around the globe - from the covid virus to lawlessness, to one nation invading another threatening world peace with the use of nuclear weapons.

And then we have this verse Psalm 118:8 in which the writer lets us know something about his faith. First, let’s look back at Psalm 118:5 & 6:

Psalm 118:5 – ‘I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. 

Psalm 118:6 – ‘The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?’

Some believe King David wrote this psalm. He certainly had cause for distress during times in his life. But then the psalmist declares in Psalm 118:8 – ‘It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man,’

To paraphrase this verse it could be rendered as ‘It is better to hide in GOD’s presence rather than to take refuge in the human race.’

After all, is it not the human race causing all the mayhem and destruction?

I’m the first to admit it is difficult to trust GOD at times when society offers some form of refuge, whether financial or military, or by government assistance.

This is when Christianity is at its most heroic when Christians refuse to cow down to fear and chose to trust GOD, the Almighty Creator, and our Savior.

Let me ask: Do you know anyone who can raise the dead? Other than GOD?

We have a choice then… where is our trust, or what is our trust relying on?

It is better to settle this in our minds now, and not wait until we’re forced into a decision by dire circumstances.  

Summary: Difficult times are increasing. The choice is before us: who will we trust our lives with?

Action to consider: Sit with pen and paper and list all the world systems offer. Then list all GOD offers. Make a conscious decision of where your trust will rest, write it down and keep it where you can refer to when doubts rise up.

Next week’s devotion: What counting the Bible’s chapters revealed -