Psalm 146

PRAISE the LORD, O my soul:

while I live, will I praise the LORD;

Indeed, as long as I have my being,

 

I will sing praises unto my God.

Put not your trust in princes,

nor in any child of man;

for there is no help in them.

 

For when one breathes his last,

he shall return again to the earth,

and in that day all his thoughts perish.

 

Blessed is the one who has the God of Jacob for his help,

and whose hope is in the LORD his God:

 

Who made heaven and earth,

the sea, and all that is therein;

who keeps his promise for ever;

Who does right to those who suffer wrong;

and who feeds the hungry.

 

The LORD sets prisoners free;

the LORD gives sight to the blind.

The LORD helps those who have fallen;

the LORD loves the righteous.

 

The LORD cares for the strangers in the land;

he defends the fatherless and widow:

but the way of the ungodly, he makes crooked.

 

The LORD shall be King for evermore,

even your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.

Praise the Lord.

 

From The New Coverdale Psalter (ACNA, BCP 2019)

 

This Psalm touched my heart as I consider this coming season of turmoil, conflict, and even anger towards fellow citizens. My prayer is that true followers of Jesus from every political perspective will hold in common the “Fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23) that we are called to exhibit in our hearts, minds, and in all interactions.

We must never forget who we are and whose we are, as we represent the One, True God who came as a suffering servant yet Lord and Savior of humanity. Our primarily message must always be one filled with grace and truth in a spirit of gentleness and love; regardless of our political views.

Pray for peace. Our enemies delight in seeing us in chaos. Express opinions with respect  and remember that words matter more than we can even imagine.

“The LORD shall be King for evermore, even your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Praise the Lord.”