Psalm 145:18
In this Psalm David speaks powerfully of God’s extravagant greatness (145:1-6), His goodness (145 :7-10), His glory (145: 11-13), His government (145:14-17) and His grace (145:18-21). This is a psalm of pure worship, causing the reader to see even more why we worship and how the Eternal King must be worshiped. He is indeed a wonderful God, whose kingdom is everlasting and whose dominion and majesty endure throughout all generations (vv 13,14). I also find this psalm very instructive and edifying, especially for the context of the times in which we now find ourselves. It informs us that as great as He is, He is still very near to all of those who call upon Him (v 18). Again, what a cause for rejoicing and further incentive to pray.
Now whether we choose to admit it or not, many will have to agree that we have never seen a more frightening and troublesome time, like the times in which we presently live. As if the nightmare and misery of COVID-19 were not enough, we now face the dreadfully stark reality of Russia disgracefully invading Ukraine, another sovereign nation, and posing an existential threat to all of Europe and the entire world. We sat glued to our television screens in horror and disgust as the drama unfolded and continues to unfold before our very eyes, in bright daylight and in living color! Needless to say, many are now more tense, restless, distraught, stressed and depressed than ever before. How dreadful that so many have been woefully displaced and made to become refugees almost overnight for apparently no good reason!
It is in times like these that many tend to forget the awesomeness of God’s power (145:4), the awesomeness of God’s purpose (v5), and the awesome meaning of God’s providence (v6). Church of God, may we always keep in mind from our analysis of Scripture and our understanding even of this psalm that there is a divine limit placed upon evil and that “evil men shall proceed no further…” (2 Timothy 3:9). In this illustrious psalm, we listen with rapt attention as David diligently points out, “The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will He destroy” (v20). It is established and irrevocably so, that every evil, Godless autocrat and power-hungry megalomaniac shall be brought into judgment and condemnation, according to the teachings of divine Scripture. Ecclesiastes 12:14 also corroborates this for us in no uncertain terms.
Here in this psalm – David is keen to point out that not only is His kingdom, the kingdom of God everlasting, His works wondrous and His majesty glorious, but He divulges to us that “The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy” (v8). He insists that “The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works” (v9). Contrary to much modern day baseless fallacy, our God has not abandoned us or given up His creation to the Evil One.
Therefore, in the light of His greatness and the truth revealed in this precious psalm, we earnestly pray for the nation of Ukraine, keenly keeping in mind verse 18 – “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon him in truth.” We deliberately pray against the terrors of evil and for all that are brutally oppressed and violently disinherited. We pray for evil everywhere to be destroyed and dismantled! We pray for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done! We pray that grace may everywhere abound and for nations to be converted – that His greatness may be revealed and demonstrated! We pray and vow never to stop praying until every foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed.” Church, let us pray for the many who are hurting today!
Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region
