Today's Meditation
Read Psalm 138
1I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;
2I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything.
3On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.
4All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth.
5They shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord.
6For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away.
7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me.
8The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
I'm always confused by the reference of other gods in scripture. For a religion that has its roots in a monotheistic belief, there are often these mentions. In today's reading of Psalm 138, we have such a reference, "...before the gods I sing Your praise;"
It's understandable in context that Israel was surrounded by cultures and nations that believed in other gods. Throughout history there have been times when the Hebrew nation was scattered and sometimes adopted the ways and beliefs of the local people. But it still catches my eye every time I come across it in scripture.
In our culture and context, what other gods do we sometimes put up against the One Triune God we believe in? What other gods do we sometimes worship and praise?
One additional passage, verses 7 and 8, caught my attention in reading this text today, "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; You stretch out Your hand, and Your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands." This theme is echoed in one of the most beloved passages of all scripture - in the poetic form of Psalm 23.
Regardless of the difficulty of any situation, God is walking with us, even in the midst of trials and tribulations, trouble and tumult.
Adopting the context and rhythm of this psalm:
What other gods are like our God, who preserves us from all anxiety, from all oppression, from all difficulties? What other gods can stretch out their hand and deliver us? What other gods fulfill the purpose of our lives and cover us with steadfast love?
There is no other god like our God.
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