Reading: Psalm 113
Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD, you his servants;
praise the name of the LORD.
Let the name of the LORD be praised,
both now and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised.
The LORD is exalted over all the nations,
his glory above the heavens.
Who is like the LORD our God,
the One who sits enthroned on high,
who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people.
He settles the childless woman in her home
as a happy mother of children.
Praise the LORD (NIV).
Reflection
In today’s reading the psalmist has a question for you and here it is: Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?
Finding treasures in the trash — photo by David Kitz
Who indeed? Why would the exalted One, the enthroned One, stoop down? How undignified! Doesn’t the LORD know that kings and potentates don’t bend over or stoop down? They certainly don’t do that sort of thing in public—not where they can be seen by others. Rulers rule from the seat of authority. They sit; they don’t stoop down. But our God stoops down. If the truth be told, it’s even worse than that.
The LORD gets His hands dirty. Actually, He has been getting His hands dirty from the very beginning. The LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being (Genesis 2:7). Now that was a failed experiment, if there ever was one. Those living, breathing dust bags showed no gratitude. They disobeyed God at the first opportunity and down through the generations, humanity has continued that pattern of disobedience.
Now in this psalm we read this: He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. Why would God show such affection for fallen humanity—humans who keep plunging deeper into the mire? There is no greater mystery. Our God keeps finding treasures in the trash—the human trash.
Still I keep wondering why anyone would stoop so low. Why would the One, who sits enthroned on high, stoop so low to rescue me?
Response: Father God, your love is beyond comprehension. Thank you for stooping down and involving yourself in my life. When I reach out to you, Father God, you lift me up. I praise you, LORD. Amen.
Your Turn: Has the LORD lifted you from the ash heap? How did that make you feel?
I love the Psalms 
Reblogged this on Vanier House of Prayer and commented:
Good words on God’s humility from my friend David Kitz
Thanks for the reblog, Peter.
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Aye, He lifts me from the ash heap daily, even when I turn around, trip, and fall right back into that heap. His love never ceases to amaze me, His patience leaves me befuddled – and in awe. I do not give Him thanks enough, but I will continue to praise Him as long as I have breath. Thanks for this reminder.
An excellent response, Russell, to which I add, “Me too!”
What a word image! How much deeper would our love for God go and grow if we could just see Him as He stoops down and gets His hands dirty! Sharing this on our church’s Facebook page. Thanks for the insight!
Thanks for sharing this post.
This is truly a scripture that touches the soul and brings you to a place where you feel safe in the arms of Jesus
praise God
Thanks for your comment. God cares!
I am awed by the deep deep love of Abba Father. He stoops…how wonderful that this Almighty God would get off the throne, seated on high…above…and come to my lowly level And…gather me up in His loving arms…close to His bosom….close to His heart and love me unconditionally..in soite of it aĺ and despite every flaw, mole and imperfection. Great is out God. His grace is sufficient.
Yes, God’s love is all surpassing.
Yes, yes, yes….love thid…
We all need God’s forgiveness,.
Heavenly father thank you for stooping down and saving me. You still come to me and all my mess and all my life and all my disappointments and all my mistakes. Thank you Father.
Yes, thank you, Lord!