PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 147
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” (Psalm 147:3-4)
A God that is both great (determines the stars) and good (heals the brokenhearted).
‘Gods’ are usually either great (strong, mighty) OR good (kind, forgiving, gentle).
But the true God is both GREAT and GOOD, and that is good news.
An all-powerful God that is not all-loving does not inspire love but fear.
And an all-loving God that is not all-powerful does not inspire hope but defeat.
The true God, the God behind the Universe, is perfect, everything we need God to be.
The whole creation is in good hands, everything will work out right in the end!
As a Jesus follower, I see God through Jesus, and he is both great and good.
He is both able to help, and willing to help!
A king willing to live with the poor, touch and heal the sick and forgive the guilty.
Yes, he is to be feared, but not a cowering fear… a deep loving, hopeful fear!
“The Lord delights in those who fear him, Who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 147:11)
Do you experience God through jesus as both great AND good?
PRAYER
Lord, I can’t say it better than Frederick Faber: “O how I fear Thee, living God, With deep and tender fear; and worship Thee with trembling hope, and penitential tears! Yet, I may love Thee, too, O Lord, almighty as Thou art; for Thou hast stooped to ask of me the love of my poor heart!”
“the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.”
As humans we may think of the things we’ve made – amazing bridges, large machines like a new rocket, or we may be proud of accomplishments – but what is it really? Compared to the vastness and power of nature – there is certainly a lot of the work of God’s hand that we would say God could take delight in – but the Psalmist declares – God delights in his mankind – his imagebearers – those who fully trust and fear (totally engaged love and respect) Him – those who put their hope in Him! Lord, truly my hope is in you – forgive me when I wander and always I pray draw me back to you! HS draw me closer – help me to serve you as I trust you!
This is my Father’s world.
With open eyes I can see His presence everywhere.
Each day anew I need to praise Him.
Although our world does not see the Lord and have gone their own way
He continues to strengthen His own
Who continue to praise Him in days like these.
Living for Jesus is the only way to live
and have true LIFE – today and forevermore.
This is my father’s world
Oh, let me never forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong
God is the ruler yet
This is my father’s world
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is king, let the heavens ring
God reigns, let the earth be glad