I’ve asked Tony DeKoter, principle at Quisqueya Christian School in Port Au Prince, Haiti, to share his reflections on the readings for this week. Tony and Mary have been serving in Haiti for three years, you can read more at their blog, Hope For Haiti.
Psalm 33
Praise Him. Praise Him. Praise Him.Holy. Holy. Holy. Is the Lord God Almighty.
This psalm calls us to praise Him. See what the Lord God has done for us? He created the heavens and the earth. See what the Lord is doing for us? The eyes of the Lord are upon His people – those who fear Him and upon those whose hope is in His unfailing love. He is our Help and Shield. Nowhere am I safer and secure than in His presence.
See what the Lord has done for His people? See what the Lord is doing for His people? See how His power is shown in His creation? See how His power is shown in His people? Sing a song to Him for it is fitting to sing praises to the Lord. God’s mercies are experienced anew each day. Open my eyes Lord that I may see You as I work and play in Your kingdom. It is good to sing songs of praise, no matter if I can carry a tune or not. God hears the music of my heart and those around me just hear my offbeat tone. All of God’s people have to break out in songs of praise and adoration for all what He has done for us.
May the activities of this day Lord also be an act of worship and praise. It is in Your power I am able to meet this new day, because Today, God Is First. You are my All in all.
Open our eyes, Lord
We want to see Jesus,
To reach out and touch Him,
And say that we love Him.
Open our ears, Lord
And help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord
We want to see Jesus.
He sees, He cares
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 33
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth– he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. [Psalm 33:13-15] David is urging everyone to join him in praising God. Why? This is what he explains in Psalm 33:4-7 and Psalm 33:9-19. Because God is great (His powerful word) and God is good (His mercy and blessing for the humble). David describes God as a personal being, one Who is both all-powerful and all-loving. He pictures God looking down like a parent, watching every person with compassion and concern, looking into their hearts to discern their needs, their attitudes and their motives. He sees, He knows… Thankfully He is good, otherwise this would be very frightening.
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. [Matthew 6:6] Jesus reaffirms this picture of God, as one who watches, one who knows. And He is good, a loving Father, eager to bless and reward His children. He is not tight-fisted, nor is His love conditional. He honours humility and sincerity, and has a special place in His heart for the needy. David urges us to praise Him, Jesus urges us to pray to Him – same thing. Open your hearts to the greatness and goodness of God, and allow His blessing and love to overflow.
What makes you hopeful? What makes me confident? Is it my abilities, my health, my bank account, my street smarts? All these things cannot save me. They are unreliable, uncertain. Life in this world is too broken (like Humpty Dumpty) and all the king’s horses and all the king’s men cannot put it back together again [Psalm 33:16-17]. But God’s greatness and goodness is something we can bank on, something that we can count on for eternity. He will not fail; what He says, He does! He can help us.
This psalm concludes with a declaration and a prayer. We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. [Psalm 33:20-21] May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you. [Psalm 33:22]. Jesus is also urging me to do the same, to put my confidence in the Father in haven, and pray to Him. What challenges do I face today? What insurmountable obstacles? He knows… and He is good. He is watching… and He cares.
PRAYER:
Lord, You are great and You are good. I choose to rely on You!