The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. Psalms 145:18 NLT
Read Psalms 145:17-21
When I was 17, I went out with some friends after a Saturday night church service to downtown Bloomington, Indiana. It had an active town square by Midwest standards anyway, with a good pizza place (I think it was called Pasquale’s) where we often went. While my 1979 Pinto “Death Trap” was fully functioning to get us there, when we came out, it wouldn’t start. These were the days of public pay telephones, but for some reason, rather than finding one of those, I walked to the police station and asked to borrow theirs to call home. I made the call, Dad picked up, and I began the conversation, “Dad, I’m calling from the police station.” Looking back, I realize it was an unfortunate word choice. Once I assured him I wasn’t in jail, only calling from there, he did what a loving parent does and came to my rescue.
Psalms 145:17-21 highlights the righteousness and kindness of our Heavenly Father. It emphasizes His just nature and compassionate actions. It speaks of God’s inherent righteousness and kindness, assuring all that His ways and works are just and good and that he is accessible to those who sincerely seek him. God is close! He is never far from us. Wherever we are, whatever the situation, whenever we call on him in humility and reverence, God answers, for he protects those who love him.
The final verse is our commitment to him: “I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever.” We praise the Lord because of His love and compassion, and we are to encourage others to do the same. In sharing our personal stories of all those times we have called on God, and he has come to our rescue, we glorify God and tell others of his goodness.
That night, my earthly Dad came to bail me out (perhaps “bailout is another unfortunate phrase); his actions demonstrated his love for me and the friends with me. They were as full of thanks when he came as I was.
Heavenly Father, we praise you for your righteousness and kindness and thank you for always being near to us. You answer when we cry out to you, regardless of our situation or where we are. In your compassion and grace, you come to our rescue every single time. You watch over us simply because you love us, and we love you. Father, help us this day to share your acts of mercy with others. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
Comments