Psalms 145-147 and Luke 12 are thought provoking; a number of verses are very challenging to read. Some people are sceptical of the statement, “the LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works” (Psa.145:17) cynically saying that if there is such a God who is all powerful, He should stop bad things from happening, especially to good people.

The verses that follow help us to correct this thinking. “The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. He fulfils the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. The LORD preserves all who love him …” (verses 18-20). Look at the lives of those who really served God such as Paul, how true are these words of his life after he was converted.

Some only call on God when circumstances are getting desperate; but they have no ‘rock’ established as a firm foundation, an unshakeable belief in God. They have not been calling “upon him in truth”? How many are? Psalm 146 tells us, “put not your trust in princes, in … man in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans (thoughts) perish” (verses 3,4). Yet how many are trying to find princes, leaders, they hope they can have confidence in! They soon lose confidence in the leaders they elect.

Only those who love God and show that love in how they live have a future beyond the grave. In Luke we saw how Jesus told his disciples “do not be anxious about your life … what you will eat … nor be worried … instead seek his kingdom, and all these things will be added to you” (verses 22,29,31). They will be wonderfully added when his kingdom comes. Finally, we noticed a special verse in Psalm 147, “the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love” (verse 11). May we all live so that our Lord takes pleasure in us.