April 28, 2022 -- Psalm 147:1-5 -- Praising the Omnipotent One Who cares for you and me

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Praise the LORD!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant,[a] and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
Psalm 147:1-6 ESV

[a] or it could read: “for he is beautiful”

There is a lingering memory in our family of the years when our children were growing up. We had three children and at any given time we might have one, or two, or up to three foster children in the house at the same time. When Carolyn was exasperated with one, she’d call out for him (or her). However, because she was flustered she might call out one name, though everyone knew she actually intended to summon someone else (!); then call out another name and finally get to the name of child she actually wanted. She hadn’t exactly forgotten the name of her child, she was just thrown off balance by her agitation. What is funny is Carolyn’s mom did exactly the same thing, running through the names of her children until she reached the right one whom she wanted to scold or command. Look at verse 4, the LORD determines the number of stars and He give to all their names. He doesn’t forget. Every nanosecond they are sustained by His might and it costs Him nothing to keep the hurtling solar systems in perfect check. He simultaneously knows every single one of the stars. Awesome!

The mighty power of the LORD God—evidenced by the starry hosts and His complete knowledge of and sustaining of each one--means that it is a simple matter for Him to care for His people. It is easy to feel neglected, like a speck of sand on an endless seashore and wonder: “God, do you truly care for me?

He Who is powerful in every way (therefore powerful enough to help you) is also He Who is loving and willing to help you. The fact you are asking this question means He is paying attention to your wounds. He heals the brokenhearted. He has answered your every wound in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Father’s wrath against your sin has been averted. Now Jesus, as the LORD of the Church, gathers His revivified people by His Spirit and brings them to the place where they are protected by the fiery walls of God’s grace and glory (Zechariah 2:5).

Reflecting on the beauty of our God, the splendour of His might and evidences of His grace changes our attitude, our awareness, our heart. In view of Who He Is, the soul captivated by His beauty, can not do anything but break out into praise. The heart determines the course of your life—this God is Great and Abundant in Power and He has revealed Himself to this poor man. Therefore, it is the purpose of this once-entombed-in-the-poverty-of-sin man to give his life to singing to the LORD with thanksgiving and continuously hoping in His steadfast love.

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
   make melody to our God on the lyre!
He covers the heavens with clouds;
   he prepares the 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. 
Today's prayer is: Psalm 147:7-11 ESV

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