Praise the Lord!

 

 

READ Psalm 146–150

The word “praise” is found 91 times in the ESV version of Psalms. The idea of praise occurs even more. Obviously, the Lord is worthy of our praise. Today’s reading gives some of the reasons:

He created all things: “heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them” and His faithfulness endures forever. (Psalm 146:6) I can trust Him to do as He pleases and keep all His promises.

He is just and righteous. He “executes justice for the oppressed” and “gives food to the hungry.” He “sets the prisoners free” particularly those who are entangled in sin! (Psalm 146:7)

The Lord “opens the eyes of the blind . . . lifts up those who are bowed down . . . loves the righteous . . . watches over the sojourners (immigrants) . . . upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.” He reigns forever and is our God to all generations. (Psalm 146:8–10)

The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. (Psalm 147:2–6)

He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. (Psalm 147:8–11)

Our God also “strengthens the bars of our gates . . . blesses our children . . . makes peace in our borders . . . fills us with the finest of wheat . . . and sends out his command to the earth. He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.” (Psalm 147:12–18)

He has “declared his word . . . his statutes and rules” to His people, not to those who do not know Him and do not know how to live godly lives. (Psalm 147:19–20)

We who do know Him can praise Him, “For he commanded and (we) were created. And he established (us) forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.” He even “raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints” or in other words, makes sure of praise returned to those who are near to Him. (Psalm 148:5–6; 14) This is because “the Lord takes pleasure in his people” and He “adorns the humble with salvation.” (Psalm 149:4)

He also honors us as we praise Him by allowing and equipping us to “execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones.” (Psalm 149:6–9) No wonder we are to “Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!” (Psalm 150:2)

Yet praise also blesses us. Yesterday’s thought is how praise is a weapon against sin and all things negative. This reading says, “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.” (Psalm 147:1) It lifts me out of my pity-parties and downcast moods. I cannot feel sad or even sin when I am praising God. For that reason, I shout the words of the psalmist in 146:1–2:

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

 

Faith Reinforced

A woman in a large city had concerns about the homeless so began feeding them. It was not long before she had the help of others but they soon came into conflict with city officials and city by-laws. She needed a license for her efforts and all sorts of other requirements to make everything legal. For reasons unknown, the mayor and others opposed what she was doing even though they claimed to have similar concerns for homeless people. The stress nearly shut her down but with prayer and financial support from surprising sources, she kept at it. Finally, a city election changed things. The mayor was replaced with a person who wanted this ministry to thrive. Many were praying and giving to that end. Within a few years, it became an amazing ministry.

In our city, a ministry to the homeless had plans to build a new facility that would give people on the street a safe place to eat and sleep. The government opposed the plan, fudged about necessary permits, and said no to requests for financial support even though more than half of the cost had been raised through donations. Their reason? They didn’t like the idea of this group giving thanks before meals! However, a recent election defeated the party who ruled and the new government immediately blessed all requests for this project!

One of our pastors often says, “Only God” when we speak of events like this. The Bible says that God sets up leaders and takes them down. It also says that He can turn the hearts of kings. God is in charge of history. Because of His sovereignty, when His people are doing His will, we can expect God to conquer what appears to be insurmountable barriers to our efforts.

This happened in Corinth . . .

When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” And he drove them from the tribunal. And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this. (Acts 18:12–17)

In this situation, opposition was from the Jewish religious leaders who were hung up on rules and regulations. In their minds, the Gospel of salvation by grace through faith was contrary to the laws of God. Their biggest problem seemed to be that Paul’s message threatened to ruin their power over people. Not only that, “When they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’” (Acts 18:6) This was horrifying to them also.

However, they knew that they could do little without the support of Roman authorities, so they appealed to the government to help them deal with Paul, not understanding that God was strongly behind what Paul was doing. Even at his conversion, the Lord declared . . . 

“. . . he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” (Acts 9:15–16)

If God wants anyone doing street ministry, feeding and providing shelter to the homeless, or showing any care and kindness, opposition can and does happen. However, those who oppose the will of God do not have any hope of winning such a battle. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (Proverbs 19:21)

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Lord Jesus, Your Word says, “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose” (Isaiah 46:10) and this gives me confidence in Your promise and Your power. I can trust and obey You even when situations appear to be insurmountable. I can also pray with certainty for others according to Your will and know that You will do what You decide to do. Wow! I am continually in awe of You!