July 25, 2011

Psalm 146 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Luke 11:14-28, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 2 Chronicles 19-20

Journal Entry

Scripture

"The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin." (146:7b-9)

Observation

Here the psalmist vows to praise the Lord as long as he lives (cf. vv. 1-2). He tells the congregation not to place their trust in mortal man, but in the sovereign Lord, for salvation belongs to our God. God's act of salvation is seen in many different ways -- releasing the prisoners, opening the eyes of the blind, watching over the sojourners, or caring for the widow and the orphans (vv. 7b-9).

Application

I am always amazed at God's heart of mercy and grace. He reaches out to the oppressed, feeds the hungry, brings healing, and protects the widow and the fatherless. How does my heart reflect God's heart when it comes to caring for the needy? Does my life become so busy and consumed with my own agenda that I don't have an eye to see what the Lord sees in this world?

Prayer

Lord, I praise you that you are a gracious God who cares about the prisoners and the sick, and the widows and the orphans. I praise you that you reign sovereignly over people and bring salvation unto them. Lord, I want to see the world as you see. I want to care about the forgotten and neglected people in the world, for your mercy reaches out to them. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

--Stephen Han