When Xavier was in primary school, I drove him to and from school. One day, things didn’t go according to plan. I was late to pick him up. I parked the car, praying frantically as I ran towards his classroom. I found him hugging his backpack as he sat on a bench next to a teacher. “I’m so sorry, Mijo. Are you okay?” He sighed. “I’m fine, but I’m mad at you for being late.” How could I blame him? I was mad at me too. I loved my son, but I knew there would be many times when I’d disappoint him. I also knew he might feel disappointed with God one day. So I worked hard to teach him that God never has—and never will—break a promise.
Psalm 33 encourages us to celebrate God’s faithfulness with joyful praises (vv. 1–3) because “the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does” (v. 4). Using the world God created as tangible proof of His power and dependability (vv. 5–7), the psalmist calls on the “people of the world” to worship God (v. 8).
When plans fail or people let us down, we can be tempted to be disappointed in God. However, we can rely on God’s trustworthiness because His plans “stand firm forever” (v. 11). We can praise God, even when things go wrong because our loving Creator sustains everything and everyone. God is forever faithful.
By Xochitl Dixon
REFLECT & PRAY
Why is it hard to praise God when your plans fail or people disappoint you? How has God used the world He created to prove His enduring trustworthiness?
Dear God, please remind me of Your past faithfulness as I walk by faith today.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Psalm 33 is an anonymous psalm that praises God and calls listeners to join in the praise (vv. 1–3). Specifically, we’re to praise Him for His matchless character (vv. 4–5), for His acts of creation and deliverance, and for His power and love (vv. 6–19). The song concludes with an affirmation of trust in God and an appeal to Him for ongoing expressions of His lovingkindness ( vv. 20–22). This structure, as one commentator wrote, “clarifies the movement of the psalm from praise to hope, which when fulfilled leads into a new chorus of similar praise.” Take a few moments and reflect on how you’ve experienced God’s character, creation, and love, and give Him praise for all His “unfailing love” (v. 22). As the old gospel song says, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!”
Bill Crowder
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