Psalm 147:5-6: “Great is our LORD, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.”
The cross-reference verse of Psalm 147:5-6 is found in Isaiah 40:28: “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.”
Psalm 147 is a psalm of praise. It may well be applied to the first building and fortifying of Jerusalem in David’s time, and the gathering in of those that had been out-casts in Saul’s time, perhaps after the exile. God’s greatness is never off-site remotely or indifferent to those who are faithful.
There is no limit to God’s wisdom, compassion, empathy, mercy, and kindness. It is infinite.
I picture us all bowing on our knees before the Lord when we get to heaven. We look up humbly and sing praises to God of His greatness. We’ll be looking at His face as He sits on His throne as we pour out our praise in an acapella chorus, or there may be someone playing a harp and someone else on a grand piano accompanying all in unison and perfect pitch. Then I can see an elaborate percussion section building in majestic volume, with Duncan, from the Newsboys, playing a drum solo, and then have an interval of string instruments following behind. What a glorious moment that will be!
But for today, I cling to finding comfort in the Lord’s over sufficient ability to direct and influence the behavior of others or the course of events when obstacles get in the way. He is the great I AM. He is knowledgeably aware of our character and intent. He searches into our hearts and knows our thoughts and trials of our life. His understanding of us cannot be measured with any measuring tape.
The Urban Dictionary’s definition of the word humble is: “An admirable quality that not many people possess. It means that a person may have accomplished a lot, or be a lot, but doesn’t feel it necessary to advertise or brag about it.”
Our grandson, Tate, had to sign recently, a sports character agreement that his school has, to participate. Every young athlete’s character must display humility on the field. Their body language, their reactions when they score, win or lose, and when they disagree with the referee, are all to show humility. Unleashed anger is not permitted. Loud self-boasting is also to be squelched. The underlying philosophy is that in all they do at Legacy Christian Academy, the highest priority is to honor God. They state that “Athletic Distinction can only be achieved if success in competition is the byproduct of practicing and performing in a manner that gives honor to God.”
God is the healer of broken hearts and the NIV states in Psalm 147:6a “The LORD sustains the humble.” That tells me that God will strengthen and support me physically, and mentally, when my heart is crushed – when I become humble. “But to the humble he gives favor.” Proverbs 34:b and James 4:6 declares: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
The following attributes of God are found in Psalm 147 :
- Caring
- Healer of the broken hearted.
- Comforter
- Saving
- Sovereign
- Sustains
- Praiseworthy
- Provider
“When you follow God’s will for your life, you can see how yesterday’s events prepared you for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.” David Jeremiah.
Questions:
Have you been hanging in suspense between hope and fear this week? Try writing out the situation. Hold that paper in your hand and lift it up to God. He wants to take it over for you and already has been working behind the scenes, because of 1 Peter 5:7, “He cares for you.”
Do you have emotional wounds that need binding? God specializes in that too, as Psalm 147:3 states: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Ask God to heal your broken places as you humbly come before Him, and offer your sacrifice of praise. You will receive His wealth of compassion and healing.
My prayer today: “God, help me to hear your voice above my own. I pray for the Holy Spirit to break any burden of the oppressor for who is reading this devotional today. May the desires of my heart line up with the desires of yours. Take me by the hand as I review the milestones of your mercy and love. Lead me down the path of truth I humbly pray. In Jesus name, Amen.”
Listen To Casting Crowns song “Great Are You Lord.”