Psalm 146

Psalm 146:1-10
"Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
I will praise the LORD all my life;

I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. 

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—

the LORD, who remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.

The LORD sets prisoners free,

 the LORD gives sight to the blind,

the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,

the LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow,

but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD." 

 
The Psalms are full of truths that are timeless in application, as I read the words in my mind my spirit seems to be praying as if they were written the day before yesterday. 
 
Notice how the Psalmist started off with a testimony of his life purpose, " I will…."  It was an expression of Hebraic poetry to repeat the two "I will" lines with the second one building on the first.  
 
"I will praise… in fact I will do more than that - I will SING my praise."
 
The second "I will" line is more personal than the first.  It's not just "the LORD" that is the recipient of my praise it is "my God" – this is personal, and it is lifelong.
 
Then the choir leader goes from personal testimony to challenge.  No matter how well intentioned, smart, rich, powerful, respected or victorious, don't forget people are people and can't build an eternal kingdom. 

Then there is a list of nine things we should know about God.  As I looked them over and over I found an application in my mind for each one of them today.  Each descriptor can lead me to intercession.

"LORD, I know you set prisoners free.  I trust in your power to set free those friends of mine that are in bondage to the enemy."

"LORD, I know you can provide food to the hungry.  Right now there are people who are starving in Haiti in ways that go beyond poverty."

"LORD, I know you will, and do, reign forever - teach me how to combine joy with servanthood.

Find a few moments this weekend and meditate on Psalm 146 and see what the Lord leads you to pray.

 
Listening,
Pastor Dave