[:en]SCRIPTURE: PSALM 113
“Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised” (Psalm 113:2-3)
“The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens” (Psalm 113:4)
“He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord” (Psalm 113:9)
“PRAISE” is the theme of this Psalm. It answers the following questions about praise.
- Who should praise God – “Servants of the Lord”, that means all who believe in Him (v. 1)
- When to praise – Both now and forevermore from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets (vs 2-3a)
- Whom to praise – To the name of the Lord (v. 3b)
- Why should we praise – Because the Lord is exalted over all nations; his glory is above the heavens. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children (vs. 4, 7-9)
Being childless for 7 years, I experienced guilt, shame, stress, grief, frustrations and hopelessness. I was engulfed with self-pity. After six agonizing years of treatment and waiting, my gynecologist told me: “You have only 2% chance of becoming pregnant. The other 98% is through miracle”. I became depressed and developed inferiority complex. And I withdrew from associating with people for fear of being asked: “How many children do you have?” because it reopened my wound and reminded me of my barren state.
Psalm 113:9 is the most precious verse I have in my life. I hold on to this faithful promise of God and He finally settled me in my home as a happy mother of two children.
For those who have the same predicament as mine, TRUST in His PROMISE. He is faithful and He never fails.
Let us worship God by praising Him. His grace helps the poor and makes a barren woman became a joyful mother.
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