“Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp.

He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass 

grow on the hills. He provides food for cattle and for the young ravens when they call.

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs a man;

the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. “

Psalm 147:7-11 

–

AUGUST 13, 2025

In these verses, the psalmist reiterates the role of music in worship, including the use of musical instruments like the harp. Songs of gratitude are commended, particularly in view of the Lord’s provision for life on earth. The hot, arid climate of the Middle East creates a genuine appreciation for rain. Without it, grass does not grow, and both domesticated and wild animals go hungry.

God is not impressed by the things that impress us. Powerful horses were important for human survival, but the horse is no more significant to God than any other animal. Likewise, some humans have great strength, but God does not value such individuals more than anyone else. So in what or in whom does God find pleasure?

God is pleased with those who fear Him. The person who fears God worships Him and need fear nothing else. Such a person is willing and eager to tell their spiritual story to anyone. To fear God is to take time to invest in one’s relationship with Him on a regular basis, which involves two-way communication. God speaks to us through His word and through meditative prayer. We speak to God in conscious prayer and by the way in which we live. Our obedience does not save us, but it is a clear indication of our fear of God.

What do you fear? Is it failure, rejection, or being found out? To fear God is to trust Him in everything. To truly fear God means that His approval is more important to you than the approval of people. To fear God is to depend upon Him, as opposed to depending upon oneself. To fear God is to take the risk to go to a hard place and engage people in conversation, as one unashamed of the gospel.

Finally God approves those who put their confidence in His love, knowing that it will never fail. Where do you put your confidence? Is it in your career or the financial resources that sustain you? Is it in human relationships? Is it in your own capability? Is your confidence in the expectation of a comfortable foreseeable future? There is nothing wrong with any of these things per se, as long as we do not put our trust in them. But to put one’s confidence in the unfailing love of God is to know that it supersedes everything else, and when the other things come to an end one by one, to find oneself remaining fully assured of the love of God. The storms will eventually come, but there is nothing in our human experience that can deny the love of God.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • How does the fact that God is not impressed by the things that are important to humans influence your decision-making?
  • Does your lifestyle reflect a fear of God?
  • Where do you place your confidence?

Church Reading Plan: 1 Samuel 3; Romans 3