Reflections
Psalm 146: 7, 8-9, 9-10 (Read)
“The Lord raises up those who were bowed down.”
Our psalmist is singing about God's
promises to the oppressed, the hungry,
the prisoner, the blind, and those of us
who are bowed down in one way or another.
We could all benefit by being set free in the
Spirit or healed so that we are no longer
blinded. Then we too would no longer be
lame, but would be able to “leap like a stag,”
as the prophet Isaiah foresees in this
Sunday's 1st reading. (Isaiah 35:5-6)
The Psalm is telling me that I really need
to humble myself if I want to be raised up
with Jesus. That may be hard to do if it
means I have to swallow my pride and put
aside worldly concerns. But it I truly want
to be set free from the sins that bind me,
then I need to repent and bow down before
the Lord, accept my brokenness, and seek
his grace. Only then will I begin
to have a right relationship with the Lord.
And where do I turn to be lifted up and made whole again?
I turn to the Lord. Where else are the promises of our God
fulfilled but in the healing ministry of Jesus, as this Sunday's
Gospel tells me. (Mark 7:31-37) Who else has the grace
and the mercy to heal me?
Christ carries out the promises of the Psalm – He sets us
captives free and gives sight to us so we can truly see.
The Lord raises me up when I am down – He sustains me –
with real food and drink.
So I can pray this Psalm, not only in honor of the heavenly Father,
but also in honor of Christ Jesus, whom God exalted.
“The Lord shall reign forever, through all generations.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist says, "The Lord sets captives free." In what ways are you captive,
and how has the Lord set you free?
2. The Psalm proclaims, "The Lord gives sight to the blind." In what areas of your
life were you not able to see things clearly, and give an example of how the Lord
has enabled you to regain your sight.
I am held captive in so many ways. It's hard to name just one. I fear the opinions of others. I wish to stay "on trend' in my physical appearance. I love worldly luxury. My favorite pastime might easily be called shopping. Even on a spiritual level, I am held captive by fears of not being good enough, with thoughts of self-condemnation.
ReplyDelete"Breaking Free" is the title of a favorite devotional of mine, written by Protestant sister Beth Moore. In it, she writes,
"Realize that God's unquestionable will for you is your freedom from the yoke, but also trust that He has written a personalized prescription for your release." She explains that God might use one method to free someone that does not work for you; we cannot let that build discouragement or self-hatred in our soul. We must trust that God's plan for us is custom-designed for us and our specific weaknesses.
Therefore, I move forward through my days, consciously pushing negative thoughts to the side. I willfully grasp positive and Biblical truths to tell myself. Psalm 139:14 is a good example, "...I am fearfully and wonderfully made;" or anything from Proverbs 31, which describes the ideal woman. Proverbs 31:25 says, "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."
Scripture-based affirmations are a powerful tool I rely on, to be freed from feeling physically or spiritually ugly. And who gives them to me? The Holy Spirit Himself.