God Lifts the Poor and Needy

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
Jesus Ushers in the Reign of God
Jesus Teaches about Relationships

Psalm 113

The Message

113 ^1-3 Hallelujah!
You who serve God, praise God!
    Just to speak his name is praise!
Just to remember God is a blessing—
    now and tomorrow and always.
From east to west, from dawn to dusk,
    keep lifting all your praises to God!

^4-9 God is higher than anything and anyone,
    outshining everything you can see in the skies.
Who can compare with God, our God,
    so majestically enthroned,
Surveying his magnificent
    heavens and earth?
He picks up the poor from out of the dirt,
    rescues the wretched who’ve been thrown out with the trash,
Seats them among the honored guests,
    a place of honor among the brightest and best.
He gives childless couples a family,
    gives them joy as the parents of children.
Hallelujah!

For Reflection

How is it that the wealthy can be poor, the well; sick, the high placed; lowly, the powerful; impotent, the hopeful; hopeless?  What is the essence of poverty, illness, impotence, hopelessness and wretchedness?

The most important questions in life are theological.  Not religion, but rather, the knowledge of God-centered theology is the residing place for answers which at first glance seem to be unknowable and for which there is presumed  little empirical evidence.  It is the residing place of a mystery so powerful that war is nullified, economic suffering is wiped away and justice abounds.  It is the study of wisdom and courage and allegiance  to a presence inherent in the core of our humanity; the essence of compassion. 

Pray

That you will displace your selfishness with selflessness.  Pray that you will judge you action by the standard of compassion exemplified in Jesus Christ.  Pray that you will be obedient to the will of God.