Friday Psalm 146

Prayer: O God, show us your calling for us. Help us see our place in your kingdom on earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God’s reign: Our call

⁵ Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God,

Many people new to social work, or any career for that matter, are quick to criticize the supervisors and procedures they are faced with. It takes time, experience, and sometimes disciplinary action to help them realize that they, one day, may be in the position they criticize and may have to make decision. It would be good for them to simply imagine what they would do in that position and hold those thoughts to themselves for a time. What would they do if they were in charge?

There seems to be a lot of people today who forget who is in charge; God is in charge! Today’s Psalm makes it clear. We are not in charge, we are here to be God’s hands and feet and to do as He has commanded and to do as we are called.

Our devotion writer explains that “this text portray God’s reign beautifully. God’s reign began with the first creation. It faithfully continues with freeing prisoners, providing healing, lifting up people who are oppressed, and affirming folks who live righteously. Currently and forever, God cares for strangers, orphans, and widows. God calls us to this work that helps fulfill God’s reign.”

So who are we to criticize how God manages His creation?

Prayer: “God of Jacob, I place my hope in you. Help me happily work to fulfill your reign on earth. Amen.”

Psalm 146

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

Psalm 146

Praise for God’s Help

¹ Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
² I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
    I will sing praises to my God all my life long.

³ Do not put your trust in princes,
    in mortals, in whom there is no help.
⁴ When their breath departs, they return to the earth;
    on that very day their plans perish.

⁵ Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord their God,
⁶ who made heaven and earth,
    the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith for ever;
⁷     who executes justice for the oppressed;
    who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free;
⁸     the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
    the Lord loves the righteous.
⁹ The Lord watches over the strangers;
    he upholds the orphan and the widow,
    but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

¹⁰ The Lord will reign for ever,
    your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord!