Psalm 146:5-10 New Living Translation (NLT)
Are you good with keeping a promise? A promise is a word that one will do or refrain from doing something specified. From a biblical perspective, a promise is a legally binding declaration that gives the person to whom the promise is made a right to expect or to claim the performance of that word/act. I really try to keep every promise, but over my lifetime I have suffered a few failures. God never fails to keep his promises and they are always filled with his goodness; above anything we could possibly ask, think, or imagine (Eph. 3:20). Peter teaches, “Through His shining-greatness and perfect life, He has given us promises. These promises are of great worth and no amount of money can buy them. Through these promises you can have God’s own life in you now that you have gotten away from the sinful things of the world which came from wrong desires of the flesh” (2 Peter 1:4).
In our passage today, the psalmist reminds God’s people they can find joy if they place their hope in the promises of God. Why? Because unlike us—his human creation—God is always good for his Word. He keeps every promise not just for a moment, but forever. We can partake in the divine nature God has promised, but we must desire God more than we desire the satisfaction of our flesh. In our obedience, we bow before God’s authority and step into everything the Lord has promised. The result of obedience is JOY unspeakable!
Psalm 146:5-10
5 But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper,
whose hope is in the Lord their God.
6 He made heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them.
He keeps every promise forever.
7 He gives justice to the oppressed
and food to the hungry.
The Lord frees the prisoners.
8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down.
The Lord loves the godly.
9 The Lord protects the foreigners among us.
He cares for the orphans and widows,
but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.
10 The Lord will reign forever.
He will be your God, O Jerusalem, throughout the generations.
Praise the Lord!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for always keeping your promises to me. I know I can place my hope in your flawless character and extravagant love. Like the psalmist, I praise you! In Jesus’ name. Amen.