Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
The Psalmist boldly declares that the Lord is worthy of all praise. He does great works. He’s righteous, gracious, and compassionate. He provides for his people. He never forgets his promises. And those promises are great!
What’s the greatest promise the Lord has ever made? It is his promise to redeem the world, which he has done through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God the Son.
A few people reading this post are saying, right now, something along the lines of “Yeah, right.” Actually, the inward expression is probably a good deal cruder than that, if what I read on social media is representative. What do we make of the fact that there are lots of bad things that happen in the world? What do we make of the plain and simple fact that God doesn’t seem to work the way we think he should? What do we make of the fact that God’s mercy seems invisible?
There’s plenty of evil in the world. This very day many people have died due to “safe, legal abortion.” May more have died from disease or starvation. There are wars in many parts of the world. Human trafficking and other types of injustice abound. There’s no denying it.
How is God working? He’s doing everything according to His word. He’s showing mercy and grace to people all over the planet. He is working through many of His servants, and many who don’t even acknowledge him to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, and provide rest and help for those who are troubled in any number of ways. Why don’t we see it?
Verse 2 sheds a good bit of light on the situation. His works are great. They are studied by those who delight in him. When God fails to work according to our plans, we need to re-evaluate our plans in light of God’s Word. Then, and only then, do we start to see a God who is concerned about eternity. We see a God who is able to redeem even the worst situation. We see a God who has condemned evil and has submitted to the penalty of evil - death and destruction. And we see a God of resurrection.
When we are confronted by the troubles of this world, we need only lift our eyes to the Lord of all comfort, who is just the firstfruits of the resurrection of the dead. It is through trust in Him, consideration of His nature, and imitation of His redemptive care that we can be a purposeful force for good in this world. And it is through trusting in His wisdom that we can bring hope in eternity for all who would believe and, themselves, become partakers of the resurrection.
Praise be to the Lord of all.
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