Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 8The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Verse 9The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.
Verse 14The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.
Verse 15The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
Verse 16You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.
Verse 17The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings.
Verse 18The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Verse 19He fulfills the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry, and saves them.
Verse 20The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
Verse 21My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.
Devotion
The psalmist uses the word "all" 12 times in this song of praise. We are given a picture of God who is not only able to but does include everybody and everything in God's abundant grace, mercy and love. You are not left out. No one is left out. It is the Lord who is and does all good things and it is we who cry out to the Lord to be saved from the wickedness that lives in each of us. Our sin will not let us escape from our wickedness, but God will destroy all the wicked that is within us because God loves us.
Our only job is to open our mouths and respond to this love with praise forever and ever.
Prayer
Good and gracious God, we give you thanks and praise for your abundant gifts. We give you thanks that your promise of love, mercy and grace is all-inclusive. We give you thanks that you were willing to sacrifice yourself in Jesus Christ so that with him, we are made righteous in your eyes. Amen.