Daily Devotion – July 30, 2020 – Dr. Pat Taylor Ellison
Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21
145:8 The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
145:9 The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.
145:14 The LORD upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.
145:15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
145:16 You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.
145:17 The LORD is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings.
145:18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
145:19 He fulfills the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry, and saves them.
145:20 The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
145:21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.
The Lord is good to all, and God’s compassion is over all that God has made. Look at all the all’s there.
But we don’t really believe that. If we did, we would behave more justly across the board in life and not so easily stand in judgment. I would not harrumph at something one of my relatives does, or get my nose out of joint when I am overlooked by someone I know. After all, if God’s compassion falls upon every person that God has made, none of us need fear being left out or in want. And we can afford to regard everyone with compassion. If God does, why not us?
If God is full of compassion, how does God show that compassion? The Psalmist says God upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. Even if they don’t go to church, right?
Does God do that? How? Let’s look this week for someone in our acquaintance who is truly bowed down, and let’s see God at work. I am thinking of a friend of ours who has just gone through a bone marrow transplant for an aggressive leukemia.
She is in her early sixties – almost ready to retire and enjoy her later life. Then last summer her husband is diagnosed with a brain tumor. They 8 months treating that condition and come out the other side. He is clear and healthy once again. Less than two months after his “all clear,” she discovers her leukemia. How is God upholding her and raising her up? Even if she might not realize it’s God who is lifting her.
She posts on her Caring Bridge site that she has her bad days, but is lifted by her doctors’ confidence and competence, her friends’ encouragement, and the support she feels every day.
She is a walking ad for God’s compassion and lifting up. She believes it. She can feel the lift.
Do you believe it?
What about someone you know? Someone who is bowed down and then uplifted by God? Could you find such a person in your circle this week and investigate how God is with them?
What about you yourself? We might also be walking ads for God’s compassion and faithfulness.
Dear Lord, Thank you for your compassion and your abundance of help. Please remind us that you are there and ready to uphold us. Amen.
