Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Raising the Poor

Psalm 113:5-9  5 Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, 6 who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? 7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; 8 he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people. 9 He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.


We should always follow God's example in our dealings with other people.

This psalm, like the previous one, can be classified as a praise psalm. In fact, even more so because it not only begins with a Hallellu Yah, it also ends with one. The aspect of God that the author focuses on is His willingness to help those who are in low situations, which in comparison to Him is, well, everyone. Even though God is enthroned in heaven, He takes the time to look upon this pale blue dot in the universe. He goes beyond that and raises up the poor and the needy as well as gives children to the barren woman.

Now we may not be able to literally raise needy people to the level of princes, etc., but we can have a change in attitude. We can view needy people at the level of princes, and not look down upon the woman who is unable to have children. We can give people the benefit of the doubt and not expect the worse from them. Something I read recently stated that thought better than I could.
Charity "doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil." Christ-like love places the most favorable construction on the motives and acts of others. It does not needlessly expose their faults; it does not listen eagerly to unfavorable reports, but seeks rather to bring to mind the good qualities of others. -- The Acts of the Apostles pg. 319
So as we go about our days, let us follow God's example and raise people up to a higher level.

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