As we read through the Book of Psalms, quite often we see pictures of Jesus, the Messiah, verses or passages that point to Him in prophecy. Many psalms prophecy the sacrificial death of the Messiah. Today’s psalm shows a picture of Jesus in His healing and caring ministry, along with God providing for the needs of His children, along with all of creation.
Our psalm opens, just as so many psalms do, with a call to sing praise to the Lord God. All throughout the psalm we read of the many blessings that He has given, not only to us, but also to other creatures. Verse 3 is echoed in the words of the prophet Isaiah when he spoke of the coming Messiah in Isaiah 61:1. Jesus quoted that passage of Isaiah in reference to His own ministry (Luke 4:18). Jesus heals us from our brokenness, and forgives our sins. In this psalm, and also in the passages of Isaiah and Luke, we read that God will heal the brokenhearted, those who are so overwhelmed by grief and disappointment, particularly by other people, that they find it hard to carry on. Many of us could say that we have been brokenhearted in our lives, and perhaps still are. Jesus calls the brokenhearted to come to Him, and He will bind their wounds.
As we continue in our psalm we see God as Creator of all of outer space (vs. 4). Many people love to look out on a clear night and view the stars. Where I live in the Chicago area, we don’t get to see too many stars. When we can get out into the countryside, we can see countless numbers of stars. With a good telescope one can even see some other galaxies. They say that there are possibly 400 billion stars in our Milky Way galaxy. The Hubble telescope has discovered multitudes of other galaxies, so there are innumerable stars. Yet Yahweh knows the exact number, and has given each one a name! That can give us comfort. If He knows and names each star, how much more does He care about those He died and rose again for! Verse 5 proclaims God’s mighty power and infinite understanding, which is an understatement, considering the previous verse 4!
As the Creator of all creation, we read in our Psalm that Yahweh provides for all animals and plants on earth. He provides the rain to grow the plants and crops that animals and people need for survival, along with water to drink (vs. 8-9). If God cares enough to be sure that all the birds have what they need, won’t He also care for each of us? (Matthew 10:29-31).
The psalmist proceeds to tell us that God takes no delight in the things in which man trusts (vs. 10-11). We spend a lot of effort trying to sharpen our skills, whether they be intellectual ones or physical abilities. We try so hard to be the best in one skill or another in order to impress others or to gratify ourselves. But no matter our prowess, or how many people may think we’re the greatest, God is not impressed. When we use our skills with no regard for Him, they are worth little. God desires our reverence and trust. Only then will He use our skills and strengths. As verse 11 states, God is pleased with those who fear Him and trust in His mercy. Our reverence for the Lord, and patient trust in His will, will work together to produce a faith that can bring us through any trial.
In closing up this psalm, I want to mention the several verses that reference various aspects of the weather. Throughout the whole Bible we see how God has used all sorts of weather events to show His power and to accomplish His will. He has used rain, lightning, clouds and hail many times to come to the aid of His people, and to bring judgment on the lost. We already read in verse 8 of how God brings the rain to water the earth. In verses 15-18 we have a picture of some cold winter weather. He brings the snow, frost, and cold. I am not one who likes winter or cold weather, and where I live, there is plenty of that. When I have to go out into the frigid cold weather, I like to remember that portion of verse 17, “Who can stand before His cold?” As we read in this psalm, weather doesn’t just happen. God is in control of it all.
In this psalm we have seen that God is the Creator of all, and controls every aspect with His power. Mankind and our abilities do not impress Him, and yet He loves and cares for each of us. God delights in giving good things to His children. Let’s remember to give Him praise!
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