December 28, 2009

WHAT IN THE WORLD DOES GOD REALLY DO?

Psalm 147

Patrice Shelby
Monday's Devo

December 28, 2009

Monday's Devo

December 28, 2009

Central Truth

We have every reason to sing a hymn of praise to God for His power and providential care in our lives.

Key Verse | Psalm 147:5

Our Lord is great and has awesome power;
there is no limit to his wisdom.
(Psalm 147:5)

Psalm 147

He Heals the Brokenhearted

Praise the LORD!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
    for it is pleasant, 1 147:1 Or for he is beautiful and a song of praise is fitting.
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; 2 147:6 Or afflicted
    he casts the wicked to the ground.

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
    make melody to our God on the lyre!
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.
10  His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
    nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
11  but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
    in those who hope in his steadfast love.

12  Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
    Praise your God, O Zion!
13  For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
    he blesses your children within you.
14  He makes peace in your borders;
    he fills you with the finest of the wheat.
15  He sends out his command to the earth;
    his word runs swiftly.
16  He gives snow like wool;
    he scatters frost like ashes.
17  He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;
    who can stand before his cold?
18  He sends out his word, and melts them;
    he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
19  He declares his word to Jacob,
    his statutes and rules 3 147:19 Or and just decrees to Israel.
20  He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
    they do not know his rules. 4 147:20 Or his just decrees
Praise the LORD!

Footnotes

[1] 147:1 Or for he is beautiful
[2] 147:6 Or afflicted
[3] 147:19 Or and just decrees
[4] 147:20 Or his just decrees

Dive Deeper | Psalm 147

When my children were young, I read to them from a book entitled What Does God Do?. It was a beautifully illustrated book of Scripture verses, many from Psalm 147, showing cherubic beings involved in the midst of God’s activity. We shared many sweet conversations while looking at the pictures together and talking about how incredible God is that He can do so much in our lives and for the world. Flashing forward eighteen years, I find myself reading through my Scripture, Psalm 147, for this devotional assignment. The verses are resonating with an unbelievable familiarity, and images of cherubs are flashing in my mind! (A bit of providential coincidence!)
Only this time, I am reading the verses to myself and asking myself to ponder the words of praise to a great and mighty God who has lavishly blessed me in all ways. There is no area of life He has overlooked. By His strength, He rebuilds what is broken. With His compassion, He heals wounds. And, in His infinite wisdom, He counted and named the stars I see in the night sky. He deals with oppression and wickedness, controls rain and sunshine precisely, and provides us food to eat. He blesses my children, brings peace to where I live, and abundantly displays His variety by changing the seasons. He gives us his Word to guide us.
Pretty complete list, huh? Hasn’t really left any gaps, has He?
This Scripture gives me hope because I know this same wise and powerful God is present with us today, and He is still acting in our world. He liberates me from my expectations for my children and their academic achievement. He reassures me when I stress over my husband’s job and our financial security. He calms my anxious thoughts related to our country’s future leadership.
In response to this grace, let me be found a "faithful follower" (Psalm 147:11), whose life honors Him in every way, every day.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you truly believe that God created everything? 

2. How is your life reflecting your love for God who has done so much for you personally?

3. Count your blessings this morning, naming them one by one, and thank God for them.