Scripture: Psalm
145:1–14
Psalm 145 is a Song, and is the only psalm labeled as a
song. It is also an acrostic, the first word of each verse organized
alphabetically (although it leaves out one letter for some reason). The part of
the psalm appointed for our reading praises God, talks about sharing God’s Word
between generations, then speaks of God’s grace and goodness, and returns to
the theme of sharing God’s Word so that people may know him. While the psalm
certainly leads us into praise, it also causes us to meditate on how necessary
it is to speak God’s Word in our time so the next generation – and, really, any
person – might believe in God and in his chosen savior, Jesus Christ. We not
only meditate on the importance of God’s Word, but we join in speaking that
Word that makes God’s works of salvation known.
Teaching
To meditate, in the biblical sense, is a simple and natural
task. It is simply letting our mind settle on a subject and letting that subject
fill it. In a sense it is like worrying, day dreaming about a date, or reminiscing
about a fond childhood memory. In meditation, however, the subject of our
thoughts is God’s Word, identified in Psalm 145 as his works, his acts, and even
God himself, his splendor, graciousness, and steadfast love.
The psalm also meditates on the way that one generation
commends God’s works to another. This is essential to how the faith we hold
spreads. One person tells another person about what God has done. In the psalm’s
context they would have spoken of the blessing of Abraham, rescue from slavery
in Egypt, the giving of the Promised Land, and other things God did to save and
bless his people. In our time we speak of God’s ultimate deed of salvation; that
he gave his only begotten Son to die for our sins and he raised him to give us
everlasting life. The only way for our children, grandchildren, or, indeed,
anyone to know about God’s works of salvation is for them to be told – by
reading another’s writing (like the Scriptures) or from our lips to their ears.
Life
Spend some time meditating today. Let you mind relax and
think about God’s works and deeds of salvation. Think on the large cosmic level
of salvation for all humanity, but also think about how that salvation has come
to you. Where have you experienced God’s mercy? His forgiveness? Where have you
observed the “glorious splendor” of God’s kingdom? Who told you about Jesus?
Who are the people God used to make himself known to you? Was it your parents?
Grandparents? Sunday School teachers? A pastor? A friend? A book? What will you
do with what God has revealed to you? Who might you share him with?
Prayer
Use Psalm 145:1-14 to guide your
prayer today. Pray that the Holy Spirit would help you to meditate on God’s Word,
how God’s Word is spread, who spread it to you, and who God might use you to
spread it to. Pray prayers of thanks for those God used to share his gracious
work of salvation with you. Pray for those who might learn of Jesus through
you, and pray for the Spirit to help you know what to say and when to say it so
that they might hear of God’s works and deeds.
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