Great are the Works of the Lord

In awe, we study His grand design,

The works of the Lord, truly divine.

Great in measure, vast in span,

A testament to the Almighty's plan.

His work, honorable and bright,

Glorious in every believer's sight.

His righteousness, a constant light,

Enduring, eternal, forever in flight.

With whole hearts, His name we raise,

In private whispers and public praise.

Acknowledging His works so vast,

Appreciating a love that's meant to last.

His provision for those who revere,

His name, His word, so clear.

Reverence to God, wisdom's key,

Opens the door, sets our spirits free.

So let us live with faith so grand,

With reverence deep, on God's holy land.

Gratitude in our hearts, forever we hold,

For His love is more precious than gold.

REFLECTION:

Great are the works of the Lord, exquisite in all their delights. (Psalm 111:2)

The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them. His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever. We should always praise the Lord with our whole heart, both privately and publicly, and acknowledge and appreciate His great works and His enduring righteousness. God’s provision are for those who revere Him. Reverence to God is the foundation of wisdom. Let us live a life of faith, reverence, and gratitude towards God. 

Dear Heavenly Father,

We stand in awe of Your great works, studied and admired by all who find pleasure in them. Your work is honorable and glorious, Your righteousness endures forever.

We commit to praising You, Lord, with our whole heart, both privately and publicly. We acknowledge and appreciate Your great works, and Your enduring righteousness. We thank You for Your provision, bestowed upon those who revere You. We understand that reverence to You, Lord, is the foundation of wisdom.

Help us to live a life of faith, filled with reverence and gratitude towards You. Guide us on this journey, Lord, as we strive to follow Your righteous path.

In Jesus' name, we pray,

Amen.

Pericope:

Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150

PRAISE OF GOD FOR GOODNESS TO ISRAEL

Psalm 111:1-10

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9, 10

R: The Lord will remember his covenant forever. 

1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, exquisite in all their delights. (R) 5 He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant. 6 He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations. (R) 9 He has sent deliverance to his people; he has ratified his covenant forever; holy and awesome is his name. 10 His praise endures forever. (R) 

Background:

Psalm 111 is an acrostic psalm, arranged according to the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the 22 lines of Psalm 111 begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This structure serves both to set forth the psalm’s excellence and to aid memory.

The psalm is a hymn of praise to God for His works and deeds. It begins with a declaration of praise to the Lord, followed by a commitment to praise the Lord with the whole heart, both privately (in the assembly of the upright) and publicly (in the congregation).

The psalmist acknowledges God’s provision for those who revere Him, reminding us of God’s eternal covenant. He describes God’s powerful works that demonstrate His faithfulness and justice. The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who delight in them. His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever.

Many commentators note the connection between Psalms 111 and 112. James Montgomery Boice observed, "The two psalms are an obviously matched pair. The first is an acrostic poem about God; the second is an acrostic poem about the godly man".

In verse 9, the psalmist speaks of God’s redemption sent to His people and His eternal covenant. The final verse, verse 10, emphasizes the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom.

Learning Lessons:

Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9, 10 offers several profound lessons for believers:

Wholehearted Praise: The psalm begins with a declaration of praise to the Lord, followed by a commitment to praise the Lord with the whole heart, both privately (in the assembly of the upright) and publicly (in the congregation). This teaches us the importance of praising God wholeheartedly and in community.

God’s Great Works: The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them. His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever. This reminds us to acknowledge and appreciate God’s great works in creation and His enduring righteousness.

God’s Provision and Covenant: The psalmist acknowledges God’s provision for those who revere Him, reminding us of God’s eternal covenant. This teaches us about God’s faithfulness and the importance of revering Him.

Fear of the Lord: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. This emphasizes the importance of revering God as the foundation of wisdom.

God’s Redemption: The psalmist speaks of God’s redemption sent to His people and His eternal covenant. This reminds us of God’s redeeming love and His eternal promises.

These lessons remind us of the importance of praising God, acknowledging His great works, trusting in His provision, revering Him, and appreciating His redemption. They encourage us to live a life of faith, reverence, and gratitude towards God. (Conversation with Copilot)

GREAT ARE THE WORKS OF THE LORD

Great are the works of the Lord, 

exquisite in all their delights.
Psalm 111:2

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord (Ps. 118:17). May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord be glad in His works! (Ps. 104:31).

Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord, my God, You are great indeed! You are clothed with majesty and glory! (Ps 104:1). How manifold are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you have wrought them all — the earth is full of your creatures (Ps. 104:24). 

Father in heaven, the power of Your great works is ever before me, accomplishing things that I have never imagined. You never fail to give me the best nourishment both physically and spiritually. Your love and mercy is always there to protect me and deliver me from the clutches of sin. With all my heart, please accept my offer of thanksgiving and praise in Jesus Name. Amen.

Reading:

PRAISE OF GOD THE CREATOR - Psalm 104:1-34
PRAISE OF GOD FOR GOODNESS TO ISRAEL - Psalm 111:1-10

Published:

May 19, 2024, 6:55 AM

May 28, 2023, 8:28 AM

September 17, 2020, 7:23 AM

March 3, 2014, 9:50 AM

The Hand of the Lord was with him

"All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, 

'What, then, will this child be?'

For surely the hand of the Lord was with him."

LUKE 1:66

God is in control of everything that happens under the sun, and that He works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Our faith and destiny is in God's hands. He is our hope and our salvation, our joy and our satisfaction, our God and our King.

We don't know what the future holds but we know who holds it in His hands. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. We don't know how our lives will unfold but we know who has a purpose and a plan. He is the Creator and the Sustainer, the Author and the Finisher. We don't know when our trials will end but we know who will see us through them. He is the Refuge and the Strength, the Comforter and the Friend. We don't know how our stories will blend but we know who will make them beautiful. He is the Potter and the Painter, the Weaver and the Composer

One of the benefits of having faith and destiny in God’s hands is that we can have peace and joy in any situation, knowing that God is with us and for us. We can also have hope and courage to face the challenges and opportunities that come our way, knowing that God will guide us and provide for us. We can also have gratitude and praise for all that God has done, is doing, and will do in our lives, knowing that He is faithful and good.

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately, his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. (Luke 1:57-66)

The time of purification is here, to cleanse our hearts and minds, to repent and forsake our sins, to seek God's grace and mercy. The time of purification is now, to humble ourselves and pray, to confess and forgive, to restore our relationship with God. The time of purification is near, to prepare for His coming, to rejoice and worship, to celebrate His love and glory.

Thus says the Lord God: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; and suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek, and the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the Lord, as in days of old, as in years gone by. Lo, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and terrible day, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with doom. (Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24)

The ways and paths of the Lord are good that leads us to His perfect will, teaches us to obey His word, and shows us how to love and serve. The ways and paths of the Lord are true, revealing His character and nature, guiding us to His promises and plans, and inspiring us to trust and praise. The ways and paths of the Lord are right, they correct us when we go astray, they protect us from the enemy's snares, they empower us to do His works.

Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. Good and upright is the Lord; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees. The friendship of the Lord is with those who fear him, and his covenant, for their instruction. (Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14)

Lord, Your hand is mighty and strong, holding the entire universe in Your palm. Your hand is gentle and kind, touching the broken with Your grace, lifting up the humble and heals, and guiding the lost and leads. Our faith and destiny is at the palm of Your hands. Let Your hand be upon us O Lord. We need You, Lord, we need You now. We cry out to You, we bow down, we ask You, Lord, to purify us. We trust in You and we follow You now and forever. Amen.

Pericope:

II: The Infancy Narrative

THE BIRTH OF JOHN

Luke 1:57-66

The Book of Malachi

THE MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT

Malachi 3:1-24

First Book of Psalms 1-41

CONFIDENT PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS AND GUIDANCE

Psalm 25:1-22

Reflection Source:

Copilot with Bing Chat

Works of the Lord

The Lord is good to all 

and compassionate toward all his works. 

Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, 

and let your faithful ones bless you. 

PSALM 145:9-10

The works of the Lord are the things that God has done, is doing, and will do in the world and in the lives of his people. They include his creation, his providence, his miracles, his salvation, his judgment, and his glory. 

The works of the Lord are great, marvelous, wonderful, and righteous, and that they reveal His character, His power, and His wisdom (Psalm 111:2-4)1. 

We should praise, thank, remember, study, and declare the works of the Lord, and that we should seek, follow, and do his will (Psalm 105:1-5; Psalm 119:27; Psalm 145:4-7).

I will extol you, O my God and King, and I will bless your name forever and ever. The Lord is good to all and compassionate toward all his works. Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you. Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom and speak of your might. Let them make known to men your might and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom. Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations. (Psalm 145:1, 9, 10-11, 12-13)

Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you for you are the King of kings and the Lord of lords, the Creator of heaven and earth and all that is in them. You are the source of all life and love, the giver of every good and perfect gift. You are worthy of all praise and honor and glory, for your works are marvelous and your ways are wonderful. You are faithful to your promises and loyal to your covenant, for your love endures forever and your kindness never fails. Amen.

Pericope:

Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150

THE GREATNESS AND GOODNESS OF GOD

Psalm 145:1-21

Reflection Source:

Copilot with Bing Chat

The Hand of the Lord has Done This

That all may see and know, observe and understand, 

that the hand of the Lord has done this, 

the Holy One of Israel has created it.

ISAIAH 41:20

Seeing and knowing, observing and understanding God’s hand in our lives and in the world today can help us grow in our faith, gratitude, and joy. 

We can see and know God’s hand through His Son. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world, to reveal His love, His grace, and His truth. Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the exact representation of His being, and the radiance of His glory (John 3:16; Hebrews 1:3). 

We can look to Jesus, and see His hand in the way He lived, taught, healed, died, and rose again. We can also see His hand in the way He saves us, forgives us, and reconciles us to God (John 14:6; Colossians 1:19-22).

Reflection Source:

Copilot with Bing Chat

Send Out Laborers

 “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; 

so ask the master of the harvest 

to send out laborers for his harvest.”

MATTHEW 9:37-38

The abundance of harvest that the Lord is talking about is not a fruitful harvest of monetary benefits but more of a great number of souls or lost sheep that are in need of God. 

There are many people who need to hear the good news of God’s love and salvation, but there are not enough Christians who are willing to share it with them. Therefore, we should ask God to raise up more laborers who will go out and preach the word of God to the world. (Copilot with Bing Chat)

Lost souls or sheep who are branded as misfits or criminals has become a menace to society. The world tells you that these people have no right to live and they should be removed from the face of the earth. On the other hand, the Lord tells you that His sun shines on both the good and the bad and His love shows no partiality. 

All of us are God's children and the lost must be found. It is a time to ask the Lord to send more laborers whose sickle is not to kill but to love and understand the plight of the lost sheep. A time to be an instrument of God's hand in helping the troubled and abandoned.

Behold Stupendous Wonders

Over this crossed the whole nation sheltered by your hand, 

after they beheld stupendous wonders. 

For they ranged about like horses, 

and bounded about like lambs, 

praising You, O Lord, their deliverer.

WISDOM 19:8-9

This verse describes the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea by the Israelites, who were led by God’s hand out of Egypt and slavery. They witnessed God’s power and wonders, such as the parting of the sea, the dry land, and the destruction of their enemies. They praised God for their deliverance and freedom. 

Behold Stupendous Wonders is a phrase that can be used to express awe and admiration for something amazing or marvelous. It can be about the contrast between the grandeur of human achievements and the decay of time and nature or a celebration of the beauty and diversity of life on earth. (Microsoft Bing)

When peaceful stillness compassed everything and the night in its swift course was half spent, Your all-powerful word from heaven’s royal throne bounded, a fierce warrior, into the doomed land, bearing the sharp sword of Your inexorable decree. And as he alighted, he filled every place with death; he still reached to heaven, while he stood upon the earth. (Wisdom 18:14-16)

For all creation, in its several kinds, was being made over anew, serving its natural laws, that your children might be preserved unharmed. The cloud overshadowed their camp; and out of what had before been water, dry land was seen emerging: out of the Red Sea an unimpeded road, and a grassy plain out of the mighty flood. Over this crossed the whole nation sheltered by your hand, after they beheld stupendous wonders. For they ranged about like horses, and bounded about like lambs, praising you, O Lord, their deliverer. (Wisdom 9:6-9)

Father in heaven, sheltered by Your hand, I behold Your stupendous wonders. Bounded about like a lamb, I praise You, O Lord! my deliverer.

Today, You have revealed to me that all Your creation, in its several kinds, are being made over anew, serving its natural laws, that our children might be preserved unharmed. I am bounded by Your all-powerful word from heaven’s royal throne making me a fierce warrior, into the doomed land, bearing the sharp sword of your inexorable decree. I storm the heavens in the mighty Name of Jesus as a prayer warrior interceding in behalf of all the victims of natural and man-made calamities. 

Please protect, shield, and preserve us all O Lord from the harmful effects of the Covid19 virus that still exist in our midst and from all forms of natural calamities such as typhoon, flood, earthquake, and volcanic eruptions. Restore our land and make all things new for us.

Peaceful stillness compasses everything and the swift course of Your all powerful word is upon us giving us the best of days. Please accept my deepest and profound gratitude for all that You do to make our lives full and complete.

With much love and full of thanksgiving and praise, I humbly pray in Jesus Name.

Pericope:

III: Special Providence of God during Exodus

DEATH OF THE EGYPTIAN FIRST-BORN; THE ISRAELITES ARE SPARED

Wisdom 18:1-25; 19:6-9