Psalm 113: From pauper to prince

By Helen Southey

Psalm 113 (NIV)

This Psalm is yet another wonderful circle of praise, starting and ending upon its key note – PRAISE THE LORD!

For me though, the verses that always jump out are the verses that are nearest to my heart – (v7 and 8)…the poor the needy, the homeless.

I was not brought up in a wealthy family, far from it. My parents never owned their own home, a new car, TV – even central heating! Yet God always provided even in the hardest times, sometimes at the last minute and often in miraculous ways. Yet compared to many we had so much and I can remember my dad bringing home a very wet , smelly tramp to dry out in front of our fire, fed by my mum and sent off with my dad’s coat, who then got told off by my mum because it meant he didn’t have one!

V 7-8 shows just how near to God’s heart the lowly are (including that old tramp) and I simply love that about our heavenly father. In His eyes our value has no relation to our wealth or our position in the world or even church. God uses the most humble and lowly of beginnings to achieve greatness in His kingdom and He supersedes the social orders of our world. Look at how He chose simple fishermen to become fishers of men.

It makes me stop and think how do I treat the unwanted in society? Do I treat them as people who really have value or just as people needing help?

Yet our God who (v4) is higher than anything and anyone, who outshines everything, who is incomparably and majestically enthroned, picks them up and doing nothing by halves, is not content til he places them among the princes of His kingdom.

Maybe we should start seeing these loved ones through God’s eyes, and see their potential with specific positions and futures in our church family.

Psalm 63: God, I can't get enough of you!

By Helen Southey

Psalm 63 (MSG)

I'm not really a morning person. Until I've had at least two cups of tea, I don't function...don't even try holding a conversation with me!

David says he is earnestly seeking God (some translations mean 'early' in the morning), while I'm desperately making my way to the kettle and the toaster, David's hunger and thirst is only for his God. He remembers his times in the sanctuary, his place of worship, with each breath he is singing praises! I do know the mornings I start with some good worship and prayer, singing loudly in my kitchen kick off much better.

Probably one of the reasons I don’t like mornings is because I don't sleep well at night. We all have sleepless nights whether it is from stress, worry, illness or little ones trying to sneak into bed. In the early hours, desperate for rest I'll try and pass the time playing silly games on my phone, or raiding the freezer for ice-cream! David's night was divided into three watches, being aware of this, he probably had many a sleepless night. He, unlike a lot of us, once again turns his thoughts towards God and reflects on His steadfastness and takes comfort in the shadow of the Almighty's wings. How quickly I seemed to have forgotten long nights spent in a hospital bed, when all I had was the comfort of a heavenly Father, reminding me of His nearness and plans for my life. They were precious times.

Are we hungry and thirsting after God? Are we seeking him day and night? Only God can satisfy our deepest longings, only He can fulfill our every need.

His love is everything.

Father, may my hunger and thirst be for you alone, may I sing your praises day and night.