Psalm 146 - 12.27.24

Scripture: Psalm‬ ‭146‬:‭5‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.  The Lord sets the prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord.”

‭‭

Observation:

It’s interesting how we are reading about David’s life and then the Psalm he wrote goes with the situation. David took not only sang his praises to God, but also wrote them down (or had a scribe do it). He states that we should not put our trust in princes. In 1 Samuel 29 he was ready to fight and got sent back. God had a better plan.  He learned that people will fail him. 

We can trust the Maker of everything who watches over all. David lists some specific ways God provides for us: 

He upholds the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, sets prisoners free, sight to the blind, lifts up those bowed down, loves the righteous watches over the foreigner, and sustains the fatherless and the widow.  

Then, David contrasts it with how God deals with the wicked, He will frustrate their plans. Whatever your situation God is working to help you!  You have nothing to fear or worry about and everything to praise Him for. 

Application:

I want to do as verse 2 says, praise the Lord all my life and sing His praises. David recorded his praise to God and kept a record of all He had done. What a great reminder to keep or start journaling. 

David also shared his praise with others-we benefit from that today. I want God to be glorified in the lives of those around me. David, as a refuge, discovered how much God cared for all people. 

My prayer is He will stir up all our gifts to sing, write, declare, draw, comfort and we will use them to bring people into saving knowledge of Jesus and all God had done. “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” ‭‭II Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬

God does this incredible work we are reading about through us!  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Prayer:

Lord, thank you that you care about all people. Both Kings and fatherless are sustained by your hands. You fight for the oppressed and set prisoners free. You made this incredible world and all who live in it.  We can enjoy your splendor and handiwork. The same care you took in supplying the animals with all they need, you do for us. 

As I go through my days, may I be guided by you to use the gifts you’ve given me to share your marvelous works with others. Also, help me encourage your people to do the same. David was an outcast, but people came to him because they saw your hand on his life. May your hand be evident on my life as I obey you and walk out your plan. Keep my focus on you and prevent me from being distracted.  Amen

- Cindy Howard