Devotion 23-07-06

Ps 146:8-10
"The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord raises up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous; the Lord protects the strangers; He supports the fatherless and the widow; but He thwarts the way of the wicked. The Lord will reign forever, Your God, O Zion, to all generations, Praise the Lord!

I see there are seven things the Lord does for us. You could say there are seven promises the Lord has made to the world. It is all part of His eternal reign. It is good to look at them and realize they are for us if we acknowledge them.

First, He opens the eyes of the blind. How often I feel I am blind to so many things in my life. Blind to what is happening around me. Blind to my own selfishness and pride and evil ways. Ps 119:18 says; "Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from Your law." I even need God to open my eyes as I read His Word so I can understand what I am reading.

Second the Lord raises up those who are bowed down. There are many ways I may be bowed down. Maybe the load of care and responsibilities has me bowed down. I may be bowed down with guilt of my failures or my sin. Maybe it is my sense of inadequacies that has me bowed down and the list goes on. The Lord will raise me up if I turn to Him and give these concerns to Him

Third, the Lord loves the righteous. I am righteous only because He has given me His when I trust Him as my Savior and redeemer. God loves sinners as well but He has a special love for His children. What a privilege to experience His love and care all the days of my life.

Fourth, the Lord protects the strangers or travelers. Those that are far from home and want to be home but are not able to be there. My Lord knows what it is like being far from home. He left His heavenly home for 30+ years to take a message from the Father to me. He died for me and redeemed me and made me His son. I have lived 20+ years of my life overseas so I know a little of what it feels like to be away from home. I am grateful for God's protection over these 20+ years.