January 8, 2021
This week, I have reflected on Psalm 146. As I lay it beside all the events of this week including the Capitol breach and continued ravages of Covid-19, this Psalm offers me perspective and hope.
A) There is always a way to praise our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and also Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. The Godhead still reigns and is sovereign over not just our nation but the world and its governments.
B) Our values, perspectives and actions must align with the Lord’s. I take note of verses 7-9. If any nation is to say it follows God, then it must look like this. Those are the redemptive works and duties of all followers of Jesus.
C) Finally, we can only trust and praise our God. To put our faith and trust in anything else to “save” us or “save America, or France, or Indonesia or any other nation or entity” is idolatry and adultery.I pray this Psalm not only creates a moment of hope but also of focus for where our true responsibilities lie.
Grace and Peace-Lisa
Praise the Lord, my soul.
2 I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
3 Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.
4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.
5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.
6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free,
8 The Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
10 The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord.