Great Is Our Lord and Abundant in Power

December 29, 2020

Psalm 147:4-7: "He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. 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. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!"

As the Creator of all that is, the Lord is all-powerful. Throughout Israel's history, this Creator and all-powerful God set their worship apart from all other nations and all other gods. Unlike the idols of the nations, Israel's God was truly over all things, not just aspects of creation such as the sea, fertility, the crops, and nature. The psalmist proclaimed that Israel's God was abundant in power; there was nothing out of his dominion or reach.

This all-powerful God is the very one who lifts up the humble and humbles the proud. As we see all throughout Scripture, God's ways are not our ways. The Lord does not see and assess as humans do. Where we see weakness, the Lord sees opportunity. In our humble estate, we are called to take our eyes off of ourselves and to put them on the Lord who is abundant in power. We are to find our hope and strength in the one who made all things and sits above all things. In looking at him and acknowledging who he is, there is every reason for us to sing with joy and thanksgiving.

If you lack joy, maybe you are focusing on the wrong things. Start lifting your eyes, start singing, and start thanking the Lord for all that he has done and all that he has yet to do.

Reflection:
Do you find it difficult to sing praises to the Lord today? If so, ask the Lord to shift your perspective so that you can see him clearly.