Have you ever been so sure someone could rescue you by speaking up on your behalf that you started your request with words of praise and thanks?
That’s how the Psalmist begins: “O God, whom I praise! Do not remain silent.”
He asks God to appoint an accuser in a court.
Read More consequences, blessing, wordsCan you imagine what a difference it would make in our nation if our leaders acted as God’s representatives – spiritual leaders who inspire us to pray, seek justice and live lives dedicated to God! This was God’s intention for the leaders of his people.
Moses began leading as God’s representative when he went to Pharaoh with the message: “Let my people go!”
Read More king, Messiah, priestTwo 2 ½ year olds in the nursery at church recently illustrated for me the message of this Psalm.
One child, whose mother remained in the room, immediately entered into the activities with confidence. The other, whose mother didn’t stay, hung back for a quite a while before feeling comfortable enough to join in. Both were familiar with the room and the other adults.
Read More trust, worship, peaceYears ago in England, I had a delightful demonstration of authority being used to protect the vulnerable. Picture with me a policeman standing in the traffic circle in front of Buckingham Palace holding up his hand against the flow of traffic. As every vehicle came to a stop, we watched with smiling faces as a mother duck confidently led her brood of young ones across the street in safety. One simple hand signal was all it took to save their lives.
Read More protection, gratitude, praiseGod sees me. Before I was born he saw my unformed body. And now, he sees even my unformed thoughts.
How awesome is that!!
One of the deepest desires of the human heart is to be known for who we are – not for who others think we are.
Read More trust, humility, being knownDavid was desperate. Few of us will ever be in the same place as David with enemies surrounding him in an effort to defeat him or even take his life, but we can identify with the feeling of being desperate when we are in the midst of tragedy, illness or emotional pain. When we know we are no longer in control, we know the feeling of being vulnerable – of not being self-sufficient.
Read More faith, servant, confidence, desperateAs I get older, I realize how important it is to tell my grandchildren the story of my journey with God and have them hear of the times when God has intervened, supported, challenged, encouraged, disciplined, and cared for me.
It is especially important for them to understand God’s unconditional love and faithfulness in the lives of ordinary people.
Read More generations, stories, legacyAmbition – what a great value! Or is it??
This wisdom poem challenges us to reconsider where we focus our energies.
How often do we decide what we want to do and then ask God to bless our endeavour?
Read More ambition, God’s initiative
The opening “Praise the Lord” is actually the Hebrew Hallelu Yah – or Hallelujah as we would write it – which identifies this as a hymn of Praise.
This hymn is a circular movement – from praise to reverence to wisdom and back to praise. The expression of praise flows from a heart of gratitude for God’s mighty acts. This leads to reverence (fear of the Lord) which leads to wisdom which leads back to praise.
Read More fear of the Lord, hallelujah, reverence