There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 147
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. [Psalm 147:5-6]
‘God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food!’
This simple prayer summarizes the meaning of Psalm 147, which stressed both the greatness and goodness of God, and why we should worship Him.
As we reflect on all that God does, we realize how good He is to us.
Most of the time we only focus on where God seems to fail us, while we take most of what God does for granted.
This Psalm is a call to correct that imbalance, to dwell on God’s greatness (His understanding has no limit) and His goodness (He sustains the humble).
It is also a warning to those who defy Him and oppress His children.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. [Matthew 10:28-30]
Jesus uses the word ‘fear’ to describe deep, deep respect – yet for those who defy and dishonour Him, the scary side of fear is also included.
We are fools to underestimate God – which makes us very, very foolish.
God is not tame, nor is He safe, but through it all He is good, purely good!
God not only carries the universe, He cares for the universe.
God not only could snuff out the universe with a breath, He does sustain the universe – and each creature in it – with His breath.
We dwell too much on what is wrong or bad, while we think little of God.
Except when we are blaming Him for all that goes wrong in the world.
We are so messed up in our perspective.
If we saw things as they actually are, what a difference that would make.
Our default position is to belittle God, so maybe for a while we should experiment with what this Psalm suggests – praising Him for everything!
This doesn’t mean we ignore the problems or struggles, but we put them under God, or we see God as bigger than them…
Yes, I lost my job, but God is taking care of me.
Yes, my loved one is suffering, but God is holding on to them.
Yes, my life is not as I wish it would be, but God is working through it!
Or what about spending a whole day ONLY thinking about all the blessings we do have (not the ones we don’t).
Food, friends, clothing, peace, health care, eyes, body, money, vehicles, etc.
‘God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food… and everything else!’
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to fear You more than my problems, to dwell more on You than on what is wrong in the world.