Weekly Devotional 7th of March 2025
by Bruce Billington
We will continue our series on hearing God through the Psalms by examining Psalm 135 (author unknown).
Psalm 135:4-7 – “For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His own possession. 5For I know that the LORD is great And that our Lord is above all gods. 6 Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. 7 He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who makes lightnings for the rain, Who brings forth the wind from His treasuries.”
God provided no reason for His love for Jacob. It certainly wasn’t due to Jacob’s character, which left much to be desired. The same applies to us. We have done nothing to earn our salvation. Christ takes our place on the cross so that we can take His place in God’s presence.
The nation of Israel was chosen to be the guardians of God’s truth, the maintainers and expressions of His worship, and the reflectors of His mercy. They were called to be a peculiar people, set apart for total service to God. God gave Jacob a new name (Israel) and, in doing so, imparted a new value to His chosen nation. The name signifies royalty or a royal treasure, meaning that God makes them His wealth, delight and glory.
We need to embrace the fact that all of this belongs to us, both as His people and His church. 1 Peter 2:9 tells us,
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light;
What an honour this is for us! We are called to be a people who are near and dear to Him and precious in His sight. The Psalmist proclaims that the God who has chosen us is able to do whatever He pleases. He has all power on Earth and in the Universe. God’s immensity is beyond comprehension, and the earth is full of His glory.
This Psalm celebrates our knowledge of the Lord, the only true and living God, and the fact that we have been chosen to be His people. Reflecting on what God has done for us deepens our understanding of who He is. God always deserves our praise, which should be a constant part of our lives – sometimes planned, sometimes spontaneous, and sometimes when we don’t feel like it. We should reach out to Him in this way every day, praising Him not only for what He has done for us but also for who He is in Himself and for what He has done for others.
POSB makes a nice comment about this. They say,
When we need help, He sees us, hears us, and speaks to us in any number of ways: through His Word, through nature, through other people, and a host of other ways. He also breathes His power upon us. Our mission is to let the whole world know who He is, and that His redemption and help are available to all who will trust Him.
Verse 7 indicates that He causes vapours to rise from the ends of the earth. This produces rain, and He enhances it by bringing forth lightning and wind from His treasuries. This process is vital for supplying the earth and us with water, nourishment, and life.
Everything in the material world is under the Lord’s immediate direction and control. The Psalmist observes this when he says, “He causes; He makes; He brings.”
We should praise Him for the power and wisdom He possesses and for the fact that all other agencies known to us are at His disposal. He showers them not only upon the earth but also upon those privileged to be called His sons and daughters.
God bless you.
Bruce Billington