Psalm 146:5-9 - January 6, 2010

Ps 146:5-9 "Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them — the LORD, who remains faithful forever. 7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, 8 the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked." NIV

Psalm 146:5-9 contains one of the most encouraging phrases in all of scripture. Verse 6 declares that the Lord “remains faithful forever.” Imagine the ability to “completely” rely on someone! There has never been and never will be a time when the Lord cannot be fully relied upon. There will never be a day when the Lord gets busy or distracted and fails to keep His commitments. There will never be a moment when the pressures of life are too great for Him and He has to neglect one of His responsibilities. He is altogether faithful. This is why verse 5 can be confidently affirmed. “Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord.” Anyone who places their trust in God will certainly not be disappointed. They will be able to live in joy because of their assurance that God is faithful to all that He has promised.
As we consider this passage there is a second feature of it that adds to its power and beauty. This declaration of the Lord’s faithfulness is followed by the testimony of how God expresses that faithfulness! This description of the passions of God’s heart is comforting for its assurance of God’s compassion. “He upholds the cause of the oppressed…” food to the hungry, freedom for the prisoners, sight to the blind, these are the works of the Lord that display His faithfulness. All of this is encapsulated in the statement “the Lord loves the righteous!” Lean on the Lord! His love and faithfulness compel Him to act! He will not be silent. He will not grow weary. He will not refuse the cry of the humble heart! Celebrate His faithfulness and live confidently before Him.