Interesting side note: this is the first Psalm in a collection called the “Egyptian Hallel” – songs commemorating Israel’s freedom from slavery. Traditionally, Psalms 113-114 were sung before the Passover meal, and Psalms 115-118 were sung following the meal. It is very likely that Jesus and His disciples would have sung this hymn on the night He was betrayed. Food for thought.
“Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!” (v1-9)
This song contains a few sections:
– a calling to continually praise God into eternity (v1-3)
– reasons to praise God continually (v4-6)
– God’s compassion for the lowly (v7-9)
Who are some of the greatest people of influence you can name? Mother Theresa? Mahatma Gandhi? Martin Luther King Jr? What is one key thing they all have in common? Their care for those who are downtrodden/belittled/forgotten. They stood up for those who could not stand for themselves (the lowly).
Since we are made in God’s image, it only makes sense that we would imitate our creator and have a heart for those who need compassion and support. Why do I always cheer for the underdog? Probably because my heavenly father modeled it first.
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (Jas 1:27) James tells us that we are to not just be hearers of the word, but also doers. One way in which we can be obedient to God is through our care for the lowly.
My challenge for us today is to help lead the cultural change and support the lowly. I know there are many missions and organizations that already do this, but caring for the lowly is should be a natural tendency for all Christ followers. I won’t say how you should care for them, that’s between you and the Spirit – how you show God’s love to the lowly may be different than how I do it. I just encourage us to be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading in this area, and not to make excuses when prompted to help them (I speak this to myself, since there are so many “good” excuses; “I don’t have the money”, “I’m too busy”, etc.).
Father God, defender of the weak, champion of the needy, we humbly ask for Your grace to be upon us today. We confess that we have not always treated the least of Your people with the greatest of honor and respect, and ask for forgiveness. Father please change our hearts one degree at a time, orienting us toward Your compassionate causes. Please give us a heart that mirrors Your own, a heart that beats for those who need to experience Your loving support. We are reminded that Jesus didn’t come to this world for the healthy, He came for the sick; He didn’t come for the rich in spirit, but for the poor. God please help us to help those in need, providing individual guidance as to how You want us to serve them and You. We also trust that when You lead us to support the lowly, You will provide exactly what we need in order to accomplish Your will. May Your name become known by how we live out our love for You. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training