Loving God of the journey; may this day be a day of rich discovery and joy for this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Psalm 147: 1 Hallelujah! It's a good thing to sing praise to our God; praise is beautiful, praise is fitting. 2 God's the one who rebuilds Jerusalem, who regathers Israel's scattered exiles. 3 He heals the heartbroken and bandages their wounds. 4 He counts the stars and assigns each a name. 5 Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; we'll never comprehend what he knows and does 6 God puts the fallen on their feet again and pushes the wicked into the ditch. 7 Sing to God a thanksgiving hymn, play music on your instruments to God, 8 Who fills the sky with clouds, preparing rain for the earth, Then turning the mountains green with grass, 9 feeding both cattle and crows. 10 He's not impressed with horsepower; the size of our muscles means little to him. 11 Those who fear God get God's attention; they can depend on his strength. 12 Jerusalem, worship God! Zion, praise your God! 13 He made your city secure, he blessed your children among you. 14 He keeps the peace at your borders, he puts the best bread on your tables. 15 He launches his promises earthward - how swift and sure they come! 16 He spreads snow like a white fleece, he scatters frost like ashes, 17 He broadcasts hail like birdseed - who can survive his winter? 18 Then he gives the command and it all melts; he breathes on winter - suddenly it's spring! 19 He speaks the same way to Jacob, speaks words that work to Israel. 20 He never did this to the other nations; they never heard such commands. Hallelujah! (The Message)
The Lectionary recommends the optional reading of verses one through eleven (1-11); the focus is on verses twelve to twenty (12-20), but as you read the entire psalm you see the picture the psalmist is painting about God. There are powerful worship-worthy references to the power of God that need a special place in our minds and heart. The first for me is that God is a God of rebuilding. The psalmist knew the power of God to pull us out of our brokenness and put us back together. Then the psalmist says that God is a God who regathers. How often have we not found ourselves looking here and there for the things that should have stayed here and now? God is a God of healing. God has the last word in all of our ills and illnesses. God is a God who provides that which we need. The psalmist is asking, if God provides for cattle and crows, will not God do the same for us? The urge on our part should be to worship God always and everywhere. We get God's attention through our worship and praise. We get noticed when we notice the goodness of God. A relationship with God is a great place to be.
PRAYER: Loving God let my heart and life join the chorus of praise that is being lifted up by brothers and sisters who believe in You. May my life be a song of praise for Your goodness. May my actions reflect my faith in Your faithfulness. May others come to see You reflected in me. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
