September 5, 2020 Our Daily Bread Devotionals :- God Understands
Read Previous Our Daily Bread Devotionals Here
Bible in a Year:
Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
Today’s Scripture :- Psalm 147:1–11(NIV)
Insight
The book of Psalms is the hymnal of the Bible, a collection of prayers and praises that express the hearts of broken people experiencing life in a broken world. In the final section of the Psalms (Psalms 145–150), however, such concerns are secondary. Here we experience pure praise to God. The Bible Knowledge Commentary has this to say about Psalm 145, which begins this section: “This psalm of David is titled ‘A psalm of praise’—the only one in the Psalter with that title. Here begins the grand doxology of the entire collection, for praise plays a greater part of Psalms 145–150 than in most of the others. The word praise occurs forty-six times in these six psalms.” Psalm 147 lies at the core of this sweeping crescendo of praise to God, using the word praise or praises six times, and starting and concluding with a dramatic hallelujah—“Praise the Lord”!
Message :- After a recent move, Mabel’s seven-year-old son, Ryan, fussed as he prepared to attend a summer camp at his new school. Mabel encouraged him, assuring him that she understood change was hard. But one morning, Ryan’s out-of-character grumpiness seemed excessive. With compassion, Mabel asked, “What’s bothering you, Son?”
Staring out of the window, Ryan shrugged. “I don’t know, Mom. I just have too many feelings.”
Mabel’s heart ached as she comforted him. Desperate for a way to help him, she shared that the move was hard for her too. She assured Ryan that God would stay close, that He knows everything, even when they couldn’t understand or voice their frustrations. “Let’s set up a visit with your friends before school starts,” she said. They made plans, grateful that God understands even when His children have “too many feelings.”
The writer of Psalm 147 experienced overwhelming emotions throughout his faith journey and recognized the benefits of praising the all-knowing Maker and Sustainer of all, the Healer of physical and emotional wounds (vv. 1–6). He praised God for the ways He provides and “delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love” (v. 11).
When we’re struggling to make sense of our emotions, we don’t have to feel alone or discouraged. We can rest in the unlimited understanding of our unchanging, loving God.
Reflect & Pray
How does knowing God understands your most intimate needs help you trust Him while you process your emotions? What emotions seem most difficult for you to place into God’s mighty and merciful hands?
Sovereign God, thank You for assuring me that You understand and care about my emotional and physical needs.