Reflections
Psalm 146: 7, 8-9, 9-10 (Read)
Psalm 146: 7, 8-9, 9-10 (Read)
“The Lord gives food to the hungry, sets captives free.”
This Sunday's Psalm sings of the promises of the Lord.
Just as Elijah promised the widow in this Sunday's first
reading that she would not go hungry (1 Kings 17:16),
so does the Psalm promise that the Lord will sustain
the widow and the fatherless.
But the Lord’s promises go far beyond flour and oil.
The Psalm contains encouraging words not only for
poor widows, but for each of us as well.
God's promises are fulfilled in the person of Jesus,
who carries out the promises of the Psalm – He sets us
captives free and gives sight to us so we can truly see.
And Jesus sustains us -- with real food and drink.
“The Lord raises up those who were bowed down.”
We are all bowed down because of our brokenness
at one time or another. And where do we turn to be
lifted up and made whole again? We turn to the Lord.
Who else has the grace and the mercy to heal us?
Have we not been under pressure from the evil one
to commit sin? Have we not been held captive at
one time or another by our sins? And do we not
experience a hunger for the Lord and for a deeper faith?
That same power that gives sight to the blind and
raises up those who are bowed down is available
to lift us up away from whatever imprisons us.
All it takes is to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior,
and open our hearts to Him.
So we can pray this Psalm, not only in honor of the
heavenly Father, but also in honor of Christ, whom God
exalted. And having done that, we can join with the
psalmist and sing, “The Lord shall reign forever;
our God, through all generations."
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist promises that the Lord will secure justice for the oppressed
and set captives free. In what ways have you been imprisoned, and how
has the Lord set you free?
2. The Psalm says the Lord gives food to the hungry. Describe how the Lord
has given you real food and drink to satisfy your hunger for a closer relationship
with Him.
This Sunday's Psalm sings of the promises of the Lord.
Just as Elijah promised the widow in this Sunday's first
reading that she would not go hungry (1 Kings 17:16),
so does the Psalm promise that the Lord will sustain
the widow and the fatherless.
But the Lord’s promises go far beyond flour and oil.
The Psalm contains encouraging words not only for
poor widows, but for each of us as well.
God's promises are fulfilled in the person of Jesus,
who carries out the promises of the Psalm – He sets us
captives free and gives sight to us so we can truly see.
And Jesus sustains us -- with real food and drink.
“The Lord raises up those who were bowed down.”
We are all bowed down because of our brokenness
at one time or another. And where do we turn to be
lifted up and made whole again? We turn to the Lord.
Who else has the grace and the mercy to heal us?
Have we not been under pressure from the evil one
to commit sin? Have we not been held captive at
one time or another by our sins? And do we not
experience a hunger for the Lord and for a deeper faith?
That same power that gives sight to the blind and
raises up those who are bowed down is available
to lift us up away from whatever imprisons us.
All it takes is to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior,
and open our hearts to Him.
So we can pray this Psalm, not only in honor of the
heavenly Father, but also in honor of Christ, whom God
exalted. And having done that, we can join with the
psalmist and sing, “The Lord shall reign forever;
our God, through all generations."
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist promises that the Lord will secure justice for the oppressed
and set captives free. In what ways have you been imprisoned, and how
has the Lord set you free?
2. The Psalm says the Lord gives food to the hungry. Describe how the Lord
has given you real food and drink to satisfy your hunger for a closer relationship
with Him.
This summer was an emotionally painful one for me. A family member whom I regarded highly, as it turns out too highly, turned on me. I had no warning. I was blindsided. My heart bled.
ReplyDeleteMy pride as a woman, a daughter, a daughter-in-law, and as a mother, was completely crushed. Wiped out. Can I explain this any clearer than to say I was slashed at the ankles by someone I trusted and respected?
As I heal from this hurt, I often ask God for the lessons to be learned. He has given me nuggets of wisdom at random times to help me understand. Once, while on a solo walk in the middle of a nature preserve, he convicted my heart that I had idolized this person. That, I, was in the wrong for adoring and worshiping this person's comments, attention, and praise. In fact, I was enslaved to this person's approval. The sharp reality of that truth pierced me yet again with hurt and sadness but it also shed light on God's truth: "...The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those. Who are bowed down..." (v. 7-8)
Once I accepted that I had been worshipping the wrong things, the wrong person, the wrong ideals, I could step out of my constraints, most of them self-imposed. My view became clear as I continued to call on God to illumine the way. To bind my wounds.
To this day, I remind myself daily that I serve God, and God alone. When I do kind deeds for others, it is not to receive praise, but rather to please God. I ask him to show me what is appropriate kindness, appropriate thoughtfulness for another and I do it with as cheerful a heart as possible. I do not exceed that in the hopes of getting an A-plus pat on the back from anyone.
I am still healing from the shock of the betrayal I feel. But I rest in the wisdom of God. I trust him completely to continue showering me with clarity and strength. My burden is much lighter now. I have tasted freedom.
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