Psalm 111 reminds me of Handy Andy. My wife loved her daddy and when we first got married, she reminded me regularly that he knew how to fix everything. We lived in an older house that needed some maintenance and she did not mind telling me, “That’s not how my Dad would do it”. In truth, that irritated me. Sadly, her dad passed away a couple of years later. I was deeply touched by the way he had prepared for his death. He had been sick and knew the end was near and he took that time to get his home in order. He completed all of his projects and organized his tools and owner’s manuals so that his wife would not have to worry. Today, I cannot help but smile wide when I hear my wife telling our children, “That is not how your Dad would do it”. I believe that just as Andy prepared her for me, he also prepared her to praise God. The Psalm begins, “I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the council of the upright and in the assembly“. He speaks of God the same way to all, whether at church or out with the boys. But he also provides the reason, “Great are the works of the Lord… Glorious and majestic are His deeds His righteousness endures“. All of us are imperfect, faulty beings. Even the handiest of us make mistakes, fall down and eventually die. So what is the fix?
People always ask, “What’s in it for ME?” As the psalm continues, we notice there is not a single “I” or “me”. It seems the less he focuses on himself, the more content he becomes. I believe we were created for fellowship with God. According to the psalmist, God continually reminds us of His presence. “He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate“. “He provides… He remembers His covenant forever“. Some teach that if you get out of line, God will be waiting to hammer you for your failures. I believe the writer understood that God EXPECTS us to mess up, and He waits to teach and heal. Listen to these words, “He has shown… power of His works… His hands are faithful“. Who is faithful? Not me! I place my confidence in the Faithful One!
I remember praying for MORE FAITH. I thought, if only I had more faith, I could be a better person. I now believe, it is not how much faith, but in WHOM I place my faith. The psalmist writes, “His precepts are trustworthy… They are steadfast for ever and ever“. The things we make may last a few generations, but the works of God are eternal. Perhaps you have experienced the correction of man? They always involve outward change. Only the Spirit of God can change a man’s heart. God does not patch up; instead, He renews and transforms. “He provided redemption for His people; He ordained His covenant forever holy and awesome is His name“. This word redeemed means to purchase, or pay in full. We have a choice. We can keep trying to repair this old house, or we can trust in God’s promise. Romans 8:11 reminds us, “And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you“. The psalm closes with this promise, “All who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise“. Maybe you think you can get yourself right with God, but that is not how my Father would do it. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).