3 But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy! 4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the LORD; exult before him! 5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. 6 God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
I haven't experienced some of the things mentioned in this psalm. I'm not fatherless, but I've known people who are. In fact, it is a bit disturbing how many of my daughter's school friends don't live with their fathers. Doesn't mean they don't have one, but some of them don't have any contact with them or their fathers are so far away that contact is minimal. My wife is now fatherless, as her father passed away a couple years ago. God is Father to us all, but more intimately to the "fatherless."
I've not been widowed, but I've known people whose spouses have passed on. God has a special role for widows. He is their "protector" (or "defender," depending on which version you're reading...pretty much means the same thing). Do I think he only means female "widows" here? Don't know. I think men who have lost their wives need some protecting, too, but in biblical times, ladies whose husbands had died were a bit more vulnerable.
I've never been in prison, but I worship with people who have. God has led them out. Interesting difference in the translations, here. The ESV is quoted above, "He leads out the prisoners to prosperity." NIV says, "He leads forth the prisoners with singing." Well, both are true, aren't they? I feel pretty strongly that the ex-prisoners that I work with would say that they have been led out to prosperity, and that they came out with singing!
Point is, though, even if I have never experienced those events in my life, God is still my Father, my Protector/Defender, my Deliverer/Provider, and my Redeemer! I've been in spiritual prison, yes I have! And he has delivered me; brought me out with singing!
(Inspiration from A Musician Looks At the Psalms, by Don Wyrtzen)
I'm reminded of a Rich Mullins song that was never properly released and can be found on the double CD "The Jesus Record."
"My Deliverer is coming, my Deliverer is standing by...I will never doubt his promise, though I doubt my heart, I doubt my eyes; My Deliverer is coming, my Deliverer is standing by."
Hallelujah!
By the way, Christian Rock pioneer Dana Key is now singing songs with Rich Mullins at the feet of Jesus. He passed away on June 6 of a pulmonary embolism (severe blood clots).
Father, I want to lift up a special prayer for a friend from high school who had cancer surgery yesterday, Rick Ashley. I'm praying that his surgery was successful and that he will recover quickly.
I also lift up the family and friends of Dana Key, that they would be comforted, knowing that he is with you, celebrating in the Kingdom!
I pray for one of my local friends, Gina, who has had a recurrence of her cancer. We pray for healing for her, Father, as well as wisdom in decision-making.
And finally, I lift up Christi. She is recovering well, and I pray that it will continue and that she will be able to be up and about soon. She doesn't like having to sit around and do nothing.
We praise you for your provision, and I thank you that you have a great job waiting for me somewhere. Help me be patient and wait for it.
THE ECONOMY
May employment figures will show a spike in numbers due to the 575,000 temporary census workers April�s report
was 290,000 new jobs created, according to Reuters.
Despite the Gulf oil spill, gasoline prices dropped this week for the 26th straight day, to a national average of $2.92 per
gallon, a streak that may last until mid-June, with another 10 to 12 cents to fall.
Give thanks for any good news that comes relative to our national economy.
Grace and peace, friends.