relationships (Psalm 146:1-10) We All Have to Depend on Someone

(Psalm 146:1-10) 

1   Praise the Lord!
     Praise the Lord, my soul!
2   I will praise the Lord while I live;
     I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3   Do not trust in noblemen,
     In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.
4   His spirit departs, he returns to the earth;
     On that very day his plans perish.
5   Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
     Whose hope is in the Lord his God,
6   Who made heaven and earth,
     The sea and everything that is in them;
     Who keeps faith forever;
7   Who executes justice for the oppressed;
     Who gives food to the hungry.
     The Lord frees the prisoners.

8   The Lord opens the eyes of those who are blind;
     The Lord raises up those who are bowed down;
     The Lord loves the righteous.
9   The Lord watches over strangers;
     He supports the fatherless and the widow,
     But He thwarts the way of the wicked.
10 The Lord will reign forever,
     Your God, Zion, to all generations.
     Praise the Lord!

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Many people see Christianity as just some sort of "crutch", thinking that a person has to choose to be pathetically weak and naive to "buy into" this system of belief.  But even in the world's thinking that they don't need any help in life, because they are somehow blessed, strong and smart all on their own, but no matter how smart, strong or rich anyone is, we are all still social beings who depend on others.  

There are those who live off the grid, but against any sort of invasion, they are way more vulnerable than they think.  And the person who works hard and thinks they are so independent and does everything for themselves, I'd ask them if they have any people they do rely on.  Like, managers, PR people, advisors, lawyers, accountants, assistants, tech support, party planners, personal trainers, doctors, drivers, drycleaners, gardeners, cleaning services, people who cook for them and serve them...  Let's not forget the government and all of their agencies who maintain the infrastructure, and provide safety, law and order... I mean, the list is endless, really.  No one is that self-sufficient or that smart or strong!

And then there is the sovereign Lord God, who created all things, so that He could have people (children) to love;  and so, desires to save us for all eternity, and help us through life, spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally.  He even comes down to us, giving us every opportunity to believe in Him and follow after Him.  So, the Lord saves and helps those who seek Him, put their hope and trust in Him, and give Him thankful, grateful praise.  These are the ones who are...

vs. 8 - the blind whose eyes have been opened:  those who realize God's truth and want to see and understand His salvation and His will, which provides a better way

vs. 8 - the ones who are bowed low:  those who humble themselves before the Lord, realizing that the Lord is so much bigger than them, realizing their need for His salvation and help

vs. 8 - the righteous:  those who have been saved by putting their faith in the Lord, accepting His forgiveness and being clothed in His righteousness

vs. 7 - the hungry:  those who crave to hear more about the Lord and come to His table, to enjoy sweet fellowship with Him, to be filled and satisfied with His peace, love and joy, to be nourished and strengthened by His word and His power, and to be equipped with His wisdom

vs. 9 - the stranger:  those who are aliens in this world, because their home is no longer here on earth, but is now in heaven with their heavenly Father, awaiting their arrival one day

vs. 9 - the fatherless and the widow:  those who are "alone" because they have chosen to put the Lord first in their lives, whether those around them understand this or not

vs. 7 - the oppressed and the prisoner:  because they are being persecuted for standing up for Jesus

At first glance, a lot of these traits and situations may not seem desirable, but as verse 5 points out, blessed are these people!  And as verse 6 points out, God keeps faith forever, so we have everlasting security.  Once we become a child of God, nothing can undo that, not even ourselves.  And then, as we ask and allow, He does everything for us, and then blesses us for it!  So, do I want or need a crutch in life?  Well, yes!  Since we come into this world with spiritually broken legs!  My answer is, yes, please, and thank you!!!