Psalm 145 has been following me around for the last 5 months or so, ever since I served in the Small Group Leaders' Track at Basileia this past May. The repetition isn't anything to groan about, though -there is lots of good stuff to meditate upon that's readily applicable to ministry on campus, especially as we try to meet as many new RIT students as possible on campus. Here are some themes I've noticed from this psalm:
There's a challenge to me personally. "I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever..." --Psalm 145:1
The Psalm doesn't start with David telling God what He should do, or telling the people what they should do. It starts (and ends!) with David's personal ownership, commitment, and responsibility to give praise to God. As a leader, before I give out direction or instruction, I must examine the extent of my own commitment and responsibility to praise God for who He is.
The Psalm doesn't start with David telling God what He should do, or telling the people what they should do. It starts (and ends!) with David's personal ownership, commitment, and responsibility to give praise to God. As a leader, before I give out direction or instruction, I must examine the extent of my own commitment and responsibility to praise God for who He is.
There's a challenge to my students. "One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts..." --Psalm 145:4
If we look around at this generation of college students, the next generation of leaders, business men and women, researchers, marketers, scientists, technologists, etc., is it true that this generation is passing on and declaring what God has done? Is this something my students long for and work towards? If not, then why not?
If we look around at this generation of college students, the next generation of leaders, business men and women, researchers, marketers, scientists, technologists, etc., is it true that this generation is passing on and declaring what God has done? Is this something my students long for and work towards? If not, then why not?
There's a challenge to respond out of God's character. "The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love..." --Psalm 145:8
All throughout this psalm is declaration after declaration of who God is and what His character is like. Everything the author writes is in the context of God's grace, mercy, goodness, greatness, faithfulness, etc. We praise Him because of His greatness and His great works. We invest in the next generation because of God's mightiness. What an encouragement! My students and I can praise His name not because of what we've done or left undone, but because of what God has done and who He is.
May God continue to be faithful despite our lack of faith. May we continue to declare His graciousness even in the midst of craziness of this season of ministry. Amen.
All throughout this psalm is declaration after declaration of who God is and what His character is like. Everything the author writes is in the context of God's grace, mercy, goodness, greatness, faithfulness, etc. We praise Him because of His greatness and His great works. We invest in the next generation because of God's mightiness. What an encouragement! My students and I can praise His name not because of what we've done or left undone, but because of what God has done and who He is.
May God continue to be faithful despite our lack of faith. May we continue to declare His graciousness even in the midst of craziness of this season of ministry. Amen.
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