The Lord Lifts Up

“The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin” (Psalm 146:7-9, ESV).

These verses towards the end of the 146th psalm declare God’s help for the vulnerable and for His people—but also His judgment upon those who do evil. The repeated phrases hammer the point that God is able to help in every need, no matter what kind and no matter how desperate. The needy may look to God, their strong deliverer; those who follow Him should take heart; but those who oppose God should fear.

Often in life we face situations outside of our control. But nothing is outside of God’s control: not captivity, nor blindness, nor brokenness, nor homelessness, nor loss. In all our needs, our deepest need is to keep our eyes on Christ. Following God, we may trust Him to carry us through every danger, to strengthen us for what we must suffer, to comfort us with His love, and to bring us safely home.