GOD’S FINGERPRINTS SEEN –

The compilers of the hymnbook portion of the Psalter wanted to give the pilgrims something with which to praise and worship their Creator. Especially, when their time in the Holy City was coming to an end and they would soon return home to face the everyday cares and worries that needed to be handled with faith and courage. So they wanted the pilgrims to learn how marvelous it was to contemplate that the same hand that created the universe and nourished the earth, also reached out to guide and hold those who love Him, making them feel safer in the world He made. So they chose the song of a believer who had been forced to live in exile under bondage in a heathen society, but to whom the Lord showed mercy and set him free to worship God once again on holy ground.

“Say, Hallelujah! Our One True God always enjoys a good song that lifts Him up in the praise that He deserves. Yes, the LORD Eternal is the one who rebuilt the Holy City and gathered His people from places they were forced to live. He’s the one who mends the brokenhearted and treats their wounds. He’s the one who knows how many stars there are and gave each one of them their name. How great is our Divine Master who possesses unlimited power; whose intelligence is beyond our comprehension. This is the LORD Eternal who lifts up the downtrodden, but forces the evil-minded to their knees. So let’s shout to the LORD Eternal with songs of thanksgiving, and make music to our One True God! For He’s the one who causes clouds to billow in the sky to provide the earth with rain, so grass can sprout on the hillsides. He’s the one who provides food for the animals; even to baby ravens when they cry out. So He is not impressed with a horse’s stamina, nor is He awed by the swiftness of a runner’s legs. But the LORD Eternal is enthralled with those who revere Him; those who wait patiently to receive His unconditional love. Say, Hallelujah!” Psalm 147:1-11, 20b

Reflection: A number of years ago a group of volunteers from Atlanta, Georgia showed up to renovate an apartment building in New York City so it could house nineteen families in need with decent accommodations. Those who passed by didn’t see anything special about one older gentleman hammering away inside, wearing a dark blue baseball cap, a light blue denim shirt, with a red bandanna tied around his neck. It wasn’t until later that they learned that man was none other than a former President of the United States, once the most powerful man in the world. Now the residents of that building proudly point to the walls and others areas and say, “The President of the United States put that nail there; one of the most powerful men in the world painted that wall. No wonder the psalmist was awestruck and gave thanks and praise for being able to point to evidence of the involvement and finished handiwork in his life and proudly proclaim, “The King of the Universe did that for me!” And if anyone wanted to see other wonders performed by this most powerful being in the universe, he pointed to the beauty of the heavens and the wonders of the earth. Sometimes believers begin to think of God as an unseen being who looks much like some giant human, sitting high in the heavens looking down on earth as He watches what’s going on. On occasions He might get involved, but only after they have spent hours pleading with Him and begging Him to do something so their faith might be increased. But the psalmist chose to look at what God had already done and by faith take it for granted that He would make sure things turned out according to His will and purpose for his life. If you’re not sure, just go out on some clear night, look into the sky and say to yourself, the One who lives inside me did all that. Since I can see evidence of His design for the universe, why should I fear about His design for my life!