God For Us

God for Us

A Reflection on Psalm 146

November 6, 2024

 

In the providence of God, I find the selection of this psalm for this day after a national election to be simply amazing.  Did that fourth verse catch your attention?  Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there.  I am sure that there are millions of people across this country who are feeling despondent this morning because their candidate or candidates – their “powerful people” – did not win.  On the other hand, there are millions who may be feeling euphoric today because they are on the winning side.  Both perspectives are short-sided.  As the psalm reminds us, “When [our politicians] breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them.” 

Instead, the psalmist puts his trust in God and lifts his spirit in praise.  Psalms 146 through 150 are all expressions of exuberant praise.  They all begin with the phrase, “Praise the Lord!”  

Praise is good for you – and for me:

·      It takes your mind off your problems and shortcomings and helps you focus on God.

·       Praise causes us to consider and appreciate God’s character.

·       It lifts our perspective from the earthly to the heavenly.

·       Praise prepares our hearts to receive God’s love and the power of his Holy Spirit. [1]

Let’s take a moment to focus on God’s character and the help that he gives to us from the psalm.  Read these actions of God that reflect his benevolent character towards you and consider how you have been blessed in your life:

He made heaven and earth,

    the sea, and everything in them. 

    He keeps every promise forever. 

He gives justice to the oppressed

    and food to the hungry. 

The Lord frees the prisoners. 

The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. 

The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. 

    The Lord loves the godly. [pause to reflect]

The Lord protects the foreigners among us. 

    He cares for the orphans and widows,

    but he frustrates the plans of the wicked. 

Friends, it is so easy for us to get down and feel discouraged.  As we get older and our bodies begin the break down, many of us have to deal with chronic pain.  All of us have experienced loss and disappointment in our lives and it is very tempting to focus there.  But, beloved, be encouraged.  Remember the first reading we heard today? (I Kings 17:7-16)  The widow of Zarapeth was desperate.  She was preparing to die with her son.  But God provided miraculously for her and kept the oil and flour full in her jar to make bread for her family and Elijah the Prophet.  It is the same for you.  God is for you.  Throughout this month of thanksgiving in November, let your thoughts and your voice resound with praise for all that God has done for you.  St. Paul reminds you and me, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

There is nothing, nothing that you will lack as you put your trust in him. 

Amen.

[1] This list taken from the NLT Life Application Bible.


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