Daily Dose of the Word of God - Psalm 113

Justin Paul-Lawrence, Executive Director

Transcript

JPL 0:06  

Welcome to Elmhurst CRC’s Daily Dose of the Word of God.  I’m Justin Paul Lawrence.  It’s April 10th. Each Friday we listen to the voice of the Psalms, which teach us to pray and point us to Jesus. Today’s passage is Psalm 113. 

JPL  0:25  

Praise Yahweh. Praise Yahweh, you his servants;  praise the name of Yahweh. Let the name of Yahweh be praised, both now and forevermore.   From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of Yahweh is to be praised. Yahweh is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the Yahweh our God, the One who sits enthroned on high,  Who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people. He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise Yahweh.

JPL  1:15  

Given the wealth and technological advancement in the 21st century, it's sometimes hard to imagine just how many people were poor in the ancient Near East. You can imagine that in that day and age you might have seen a king once in your life. Or even a minor official. Seen gold and flashing silver riding by your village. Once in your life. Everyone was poor. Your life was nasty, brutish and short. Food was bread, fruit occasionally and meat almost never. Half of all babies born would die by ten years old. Down in the ash heap, down in the dust. And childlessness, childlessness was not just a heartache. It was literally the end of your future, for who would take care of you when you were old? Who would keep your name going? For a mother to not have sons was a great tragedy not only on an emotional level but on economic level. And this Yahweh God not only sits enthroned on high but stoops down and raises the poor (which is basically everybody) from the dust. He lifts them from the ash heap, from the place of mourning. and seats them with the princes of the people. And princes feast. Yahweh God’s work leads to abundance. And he doesn't forget the childless woman either. She is settled in her home as a mother of happy children. In the Hebrew it actually says sons which though daughters are fantastic. Sons had power in the ancient near East and it's not just a son. It's multiple sons  - her name will not die out and she will have a roof all of her days.  This is something to celebrate. In this Easter season, let’s continue to lean into this work of God. Perhaps even as we are serving together this weekend, we’ll have the chance to help Yahweh God raise people from the ash heap. To be an extended family for the childless ones. To testify through our actions that Yahweh God is enthroned, but also stoops down to help his sons and daughters. 

JPL 3:11  

Yahweh God, we thank you for the resurrection season of your son Jesus. We thank you that we can be your witnesses, your hands and feet. Make us instruments, not only of praise to your name but also of service to your image bearers. Amen