Articles / Blog
In this time of the year, many people are counting their many blessings and giving thanks to God. We may give thanks for the many physical blessings that God has blessed us with (e.g. food, shelter, financial income, etc.). We may give thanks for the many spiritual blessings that God has blessed us with (e.g. salvation, the scriptures, hope, peace, grace, etc.). We may give thanks on behalf of others around us, for the blessings (physical & spiritual) that they have received from God. We may even give thank to God for others around us, who have been a blessing to us. But, do we give thanks for those who currently have so many flaws in their walk with God and with others? - Paul did.
This week’s reading plan invites us into Psalms 129–131 and Acts 4:23–31. Let’s walk through them together. Each of the psalms for our reading this week (Psalms 129-131) is a Song of Ascent. These psalms were sung by worshippers journeying to Jerusalem. Each of these psalms contains a common subject of unity.
“Praise the Lord!” So begins (and ends!) Psalm 113, the first of what are known as the “Egyptian Hallel” (Psalms 113-118), which are centered on praise to Jehovah for His deliverance of His people from their bondage in Egypt. “Halleluia” – “Praise Jehovah” – is the repeated refrain, because He alone is worthy of such exaltation, and He alone deserves such praise at all times and in every place!
The account of Jacob wrestling with God is one of the more confusing stories in the book of Genesis, yet it is clearly a pivotal moment in Jacob’s life. On this occasion, he is given the name Israel, meaning “he who strives or wrestles with God.” This name would commemorate Jacob’s wrestling match with God for generations to come. What is so significant about this story and what lessons is it intended to teach us?
Praise of God's righteous judgement weaves a common thread between Psalms 7 and 9. God saves the righteous, and those who champion His cause find comfort in this (Psalm 9:9-10). In Psalm 7, David leans heavily on this characteristic of God in a request to be delivered from his enemies. David comes to God in this psalm with a clear conscience even going so far as to call judgement upon himself “if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause” (Psalm 7:4, ESV). Let us ask ourselves if we also could so confidently extol the righteous judgement of God. I believe David prayed so powerfully partly because he continually repented and kept his conduct honorable before God and people. As a result, he could genuinely appeal to the righteous judgement of God. If we also live for the Lord, then we can more genuinely and effectively “give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness” and “sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High” (Psalm 7:17, ESV).
