Psalm 113

¹ Praise the LORD.

   Praise the LORD, you his servants;
   praise the name of the LORD.
² Let the name of the LORD be praised,
   both now and forevermore.
³ From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
   the name of the LORD is to be praised.

⁴ The LORD is exalted over all the nations,
   his glory above the heavens.
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 his people.
⁹ He settles the childless woman in her home
   as a happy mother of children.

   Praise the LORD.

I love this psalm.  I’ve used it in devotions more times than I can recount.

It is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise.

It is a psalm of recognition of God’s involvement with His children. 

It is a psalm of hopes fulfilled.

And it has a happy ending!

(I LOVE happy endings!)

Last night I babysat for my niece and her husband.  They are foster parents and have two children in their care right now.  Two children- beautiful and loving- gifts from God.  One is nearly theirs- for good, by law- the other has not been placed- still in limbo -gifts from God.

Praying over and with these children awakened in me a desire to keep and protect BOTH of them.  I am amazed at the love poured upon these children by these parents.  The foster parents, also -gifts from God.

God is looking into the situation- stooping “down to look  on the heavens and the earth” – giving gifts in both directions- to the parents- to the children.

And to me. 

God is the Author of happy settled families.

Praise the LORD.

In the season of giving -gifts from God.