“It is good,” says the ancient poet, “to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and praise is becoming” (Psalm 147:1). Why is it the poet reaches this conclusion? He answers the question himself when he says, “Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite” (vs. 5).

This would be enough but when one adds the personal concern of this God who is “Great,” it becomes amazing and magnificent. The Psalmist says of God that He “heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds….The Lord supports the afflicted; He brings down the wicked to the ground” (vs. 3-6).

God is not distant and removed from our lives. He is a God who draws near in our pain and heals broken hearts and wounded lives. He is Sovereign over all, and unites His own life with our lives with divine-size strength and understanding.

We live in a dangerous world where bad things happen everyday, senseless things that leave us bewildered and perplexed. It is the fruit of living in a broken and fallen world. Still, God does not abandon us. He comes to us in the baby of Bethlehem and inundates Himself into history, so that, in time, He will take our pain and suffering, our sins and humanity, and die upon a cross “for Adam’s helpless race.”

“Amazing love! How can it be?"