November 26, 2024

November 26   

Psalm 145

There are couple of things I want us to notice in this Psalm.  First, v. 4 talks about one generation will declare to the next the works of God.  We are called to not just praise God in a moment for what He has done for us; but continue to praise God as we tell the next generation about all the LORD has done.   It is important that the Word of God is taught and a testimony of God's work in our lives is shared with the next generation.  I have a concern that some young people are turning away from God and rejecting Him.  My greater concern is that there may be a generation who don't really know the true God and have not been given a proper presentation of the Gospel.  A lot of people don't walk away from God, but rather a perception they have about God.  It is up to the church and us as Christians to speak the name of Jesus and tell of his great works to those who are coming after us.  

We also read that "the LORD is gracious and compassionate slow to anger and great in faithful love". That is good news for all of us because we often have had times where we have not done what is right or said things we should not.  God is not some sort of cop sitting in Heaven just waiting for you to mess up so He can get you.  Driving from Mifflintown to Lewistown after taking the kids to school I often notice a cop car sitting at the bottom of a hill on 322, somewhat hidden by bushes, just waiting for someone to come speeding by so they can put the flashing lights on and go give them by ticket.  Perhaps some of you may know this from firsthand experience of being the one getting pulled over.  God does not hide himself and wait for you to mess up so He can pop out and get you. Make no mistake that there is accountability and consequences, but God is patient and gracious and instead of seeing God as a cop just waiting to get you for your bad actions think of Him as a loving father waiting to forgive you in your repentance.  Even when we do face discipline from the LORD is for our benefit.