Upheld and Raised Up
This morning I met with a group of men for prayer. These men meet every Tuesday morning and pray for some of our local government officials. After the meeting I attended the Larimer County Commissioner’s meeting. I gave some “testimony” during the public comment time regarding spraying for West Nile Virus. I supported the County Board of Health’s decision to be more proactive in spraying and try to prevent an outbreak. Last year the majority of cases of West Nile Virus were reported in August, September and October.
After some work in the office on HOA business, lunch, a nap, a trip to the pool, an early evening meeting, home to have dinner and mow the lawn…I’m tired again. But compared to a year ago, I couldn’t be more content! As a reminder here is the list of prayer requests from August 12, 2013….
*pneumonia in left lower lobe of lung to resolve
*healing of wound by his tracheostomy and coccyx
*strengthening of his immune system so that he’ll be able to have surgery as soon as possible
*strengthening of his body so he can endure sitting up in bed
*improved sleep at night
*more endurance to be able to be off the ventilator to be able to talk for longer periods (currently it is 10 minutes every 24 hours)
*healing of pain he is experiencing with the pneumonia & being totally dependent & immobile
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down…The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:10,11
Of the 150 Palms the home stretch to the end of the book contains some great anthems of praise to the Lord. Psalm 145 is one of those. These verses are expressions of praise to the Lord and declarations of the Lord and His greatness. These statements are based on the psalmist’s experience. This is not theology, this is testimony.
The psalmist declares the Lord, “upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down” because he knew what is was to fall and to be bowed down and to find the Lord right there when needed. The same is true about the Lord’s presence that is available when those of sincere hearts call on him.
The wording the Psalmist uses is to instill faith, confidence and trust in such a God. He is not just saying, “the did this for me.” He is saying “this is what the Lord will do for all who are falling, bowed down and who call on Him in truth.”
Let the words of verses of this Psalm encourage you. Let the work of God in the lives of others encourage you. As an old hymn says, “what He’s done for others He’ll do for you.” The Lord upholds, He raises up, He is near.