February 4th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Psalm 147:1-11, 20c (NRSV)
The Lord heals the brokenhearted

Praise the Lord!
How good it is to sing praises to our God;
for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted,
and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
The Lord lifts up the downtrodden;
he casts the wicked to the ground.

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre.
He covers the heavens with clouds,
prepares rain for the earth,
makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives to the animals their food,
and to the young ravens when they cry.
His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love. ...

Praise the Lord!


Reflection
God cares for and loves creation. We are his creation. It's an attribute we all should adhere to is to love and care for creation. How, is where we tend to come into conflict. But the how seems to be answered in this Psalm,,,through steadfast love.

When we come together in steadfast love to care for creation, we take on the attributes God desires for all of us. We give and act out of steadfast love for one another. We care for the poor, the sick, the downtrodden. It's not our focus on the strength of our self influence over others to make decisions we desire, but our focus on the steadfast love of downtrodden.

In our caring for and love of creation we soon find we are a part also. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, help me to view creation and all people through your eyes of steadfast love... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen