Daily Devotions – The eyes of all look to you

Daily Devotions – The eyes of all look to you

 

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

 

Psalm 145

A psalm of praise. Of David.

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.They tell of the power of your awesome works—    and I will proclaim your great deeds.They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.10 All your works praise you, Lord;   your faithful people extol you. 11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, 12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is  trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.14 The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;    he hears their cry and saves them. 20 The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. 21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

It is Thanksgiving Day. Let’s reflect on the wonderful Psalm 145. You might try using this as part of the prayer you have for your Thanksgiving Dinner today. This psalm keeps turning our focus on God and his majesty. It reminds us that it is God’s mercy and steadfast love (even when we are very un-steadfast) that is God’s most precious quality (v. 8-9). It repeatedly urges us to tell others, especially future generations, about God’s blessings and righteousness (vv. 4, 6, 10, 12). Verse 15 refers to how the creatures in nature are wise enough to look to God for their food — so should we call on him (v. 18), and he will give us the only thing that can actually satisfy the desires of our heart: God’s own presence, as he comes near to us. Reflect on this slowly, and let the many themes widen the scope of your own prayers.