We are nearing the end of the book of Psalms in these devotionals. I started way back in March with Psalm 1, and have been posting a devotional every day since from the book of Psalms. As we near the end of the book, I have noticed that the psalmist focuses more and more on praise for God. I think this longest book in our Bible focuses on praise for God because we all need to spend more time there!
Today I read, “Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God’ for it is pleasant; and praise is comely” (Psalm 147:1). I would imagine that some of you are in the midst of some trying situations, and you are thinking that it is all well and good for people without any problems to praise the Lord, but for you, praise is out of the question. I read just a verse beyond that verse and saw, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
Even those who are hurting can praise the Lord, because it is the Lord Who is able to offer hope and healing during the most difficult of times. I remember being beside my mother’s bed as she was nearing her last breath here on earth. The peace she had, and we all had, in that trying time was a testimony to the reality of these verses. There is no one, or nothing that can come to us in our times of testing and trials like the Holy Spirit of God. We cannot run to the local pharmacy and get a pill that will take away the pain and hurt of loss. But, we can turn to the Lord for the help we need.
A little further down in the same chapter it says, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite” (Psalm 147:5). We serve an incredible God. We serve a God Who was able to prove to the nation of Egypt that He is God as opposed to the false gods they had been serving. This same God parted the Red Sea allowing all of Israel to pass over on dry ground, and then allowed the mountains of water to collapse on the Egyptian army immediately afterward. This is our God! This is the God we run to for hope and healing.
The last part of the chapter has this instruction for us today: “Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God” (Psalm 147:7). I don’t know what you are facing today, but I know Who God is, and there is nothing in front of you that He cannot handle. He is ready to heal your broken heart. He is ready to bind up your wounds. I know that all His power is available for me and for you today. For that, we all should pause to give Him the praise He deserves. Thank God for hope and healing!