Feb 2, 2015 Psalm 147:1-11

We encourage you to read this devotion three times a day.  Start in the morning and reflect upon the morning reflection question. Then in the afternoon, read it again and reflect using the noon question for reflection.  For the evening, take time to ponder how this has resonated with you in the day and reflecting using the evening question.  We offer a prayer with each devotion for you to pray or we invite you to pray what is in your heart.  

 

Psalm 147:1-11

¹Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.²The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel.³He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.⁴He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.⁵Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.⁶The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground.⁷Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre.⁸He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills.⁹He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry.¹⁰His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;¹¹but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.

Reflection:

You cannot get very far into this psalm without encountering wonderful language of praise to God and a sense of awe to God as creator. This psalm transports us back to Genesis  for us to watch God create the wonderful sights and beauty all around us. We cannot forget an essential quality of this psalm though that reminds us that God is the Author of Life. Isn’t that enough reason to give God praise? Isn’t that enough reason to celebrate this God? Yes, but what is magnificent is that God is much more than that. In this passage we see God at work in the minute details of life. This is one of the great gifts of the psalms in that we can one minute see images of a God so big and far away it is hard to even fathom and comprehend, and then the next minute a God that walks with us in our daily lives, that even cares if the ravens are fed. A God that comes down to Earth to dwell with us and be with us in the ups and downs of our lives is a God that we can hope in God’s steadfast love and need not worry. Take comfort, for God is deeply involved in working God’s marvelous grace into your life.

Questions for Reflection: 

Morning: What about God gives you awe?

Noon: Where have you noticed God active in your day?

Evening: Where did you see God active in the lives of others you know today?

Prayer: Creator God, we thank you for the beautiful creation you have made. When we feel overwhelmed with life, Lord, may we look at the beauty of the Earth and be reminded of you, your love, and your presence with us. Empower us God to live in to the hope of your steadfast love now and forever. Amen.