Lifting Up the Bowed Down

 

"Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is  in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them- the Lord who remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord  sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous."  Psalm  146:5-8

 

These verses are so beautiful, they read like poetry.  It is more than beautiful lines or prose, it is a promise.  If we find our help in "the God of Jacob" we are blessed.  Often the Bible speaks of "the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob".  But it could also be said that it is the God of Sherri,  the God of Tim or the God of Christina.  He is a personal God!  If we look to him as our personal God, we find him willing to help us.  Yes, he was in covenant relationship with Abraham and his descendants, but what greater covenant can there be than the one written in the blood of Jesus at Calvary?

 

God made everything that we can see and He is mindful of even the smallest creature.  But you- my brother; you- my sister, were created in His likeness and for His purpose.  Of all the creatures He gave life to, He gave his life for you!  Because of that, we can count on him to set us free when we are oppressed; feed us when we are hungry.  He looses us from prison,  restores sight to the blind, and lifts up those who are "bowed down."  Surely, we fit into at least one of those categories!

 

I love the imagery of those who are "bowed down."  To me, this can mean either in humble, reverent worship.  Of  more likely by context, those who life has caused to stoop over.  This Word is promise for you, if the blows of life, have left your head hanging low and your countenance sagging.  Be of good cheer!  He will "lift you up."  He can change your circumstances and encourage your spirit.  So much of life is more than we can handle.  So what is our part to receiving the Lord's help?  Living righteously.  This does not mean that we will be perfect and never stumble and sin.  what it does mean, is that our heart is in right standing with God, and because of this, we seek to have our lifestyle follow suit.

 
 Dear Lord, thank you for these dear and precious promises.  I need you, O God, to set me free, to open my eyes and to lift me up.  Help me to live and walk righteously in your sight.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

Sherri