Here we are in February already! I saw lots of people posting about how it felt like January was 627 days long – and I’ve felt that way in the past. This year it seemed to go by quickly, but I think that’s because our girls didn’t head back to college until the 23rd. Then my husband and I got to have a long weekend away in Myrtle Beach, which was a nice way to end the month.
Today we’re wrapping up our Bible study in Psalm 145. In part one, we discussed praising God enthusiastically. Part two outlined eight outstanding characteristics of God. This week we’re covering verses 15-21 and discovering six truths about God that can encourage our hearts.
The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. ~Verse 15
1. God provides what we need in His time.
This verse talks about waiting on God (which is, for me, a hard lesson that I’m continuing to learn). It says that He gives what they need “in due season.” God always meets our needs in the appropriate timeframe. He’s never early, never late, and His schedule may not match up with our timeframe. But He is God and we can trust that He knows what’s best for us.
Can you look back on a specific time in your life and see how God’s timing was perfect? I have a few of those instances and remembering them gives me faith when I find myself in another waiting season.
Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. ~Verse 16
2. God has the power to meet our every need.
He can simply open His hand and fulfill the longing of every creature. This goes beyond physical needs to our emotional and spiritual desires for love, peace, joy, and comfort. All of these are available through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. ~Verse 17
3. Whatever God does is always right and holy.
I love the word all in this verse! Our God is righteous in every single thing He does, in every way He moves in our lives. He can’t be anything else.
The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. ~Verse 18
4. God is always close by when we call on Him.
He hears the cry of our hearts. Whether in loneliness or grief, fear or pain, we can know that He is near at hand when we call on Him. This is a good reminder to me to call on God when hard times come as a first step and not as a last resort.
He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. ~Verse 19
5. God fulfills our desires.
Does this mean we make a wish list and get everything we want? That may sound like fun but surely it’s not what’s best for us. If we fear God, we want more than anything for His will to be done and for Him to be glorified. The more we grow in Christ, the more our desires will line up with His desires and we will rejoice as we see Him fulfill them.
We know that our God blesses us in so many ways. Just as we want to see our children enjoy things that we give them, so our Heavenly Father surely wants to see us enjoy the good things He provides. He gives many gifts that bring us pleasure and let’s remember to thank Him for them.
Have you ever asked God for something that you were later glad you didn’t get?
The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. ~Verse 20
6. God keeps us.
This made me think of the strawberry preserves I put on my biscuit! I’ve never made preserves, but I do know you have to cook the fruit before you can it. Sometimes we may have to go through the heat of trials, but God protects and if we allow Him to work, we are better on the other side of them.
Verse 21 is a fitting summary of this whole study in Psalm 145.
My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
This psalm teaches us so much about our amazing God and reminds us that He is truly worthy of our praise. May we practice praising Him every day as we prepare to spend eternity worshipping Him!
Related posts:
- What Does It Really Mean to Rejoice in the Lord?
- 6 Ways to Find Hope When Times Are Tough
- You Can’t Measure Hard and You Can’t Measure Grace
I get so impatient sometimes when God doesn’t give me what I want when I want it! I appreciate the reminder that He gives “in due time.”
I know there’ve been times when my timetable didn’t match up to when God actually worked in the situation – and I’m sure there will be more of those times ahead! It’s not easy in the moment, but I’m thankful that those situations can build our trust in Him.
Re: “in due season” – it’s A LOT easier to nod knowingly now than it was the last 3 years of job loss & waiting 😀 but as He always provides, that season has made Annelise’s new healing season seem so bearable! (For *me*, not her!!! :-P)
And your strawberry preserves analogy is FANTASTIC!!!
I was just listening to a message this morning where the speaker talks about how each season in life prepares us for the next one. What you’ve shared is a testimony to that!