Ps. 147-148
Psalm 147 is yet another Psalm that declares that the same God who numbers the stars binds up the wounds of the brokenhearted. This Psalm declares God’s great care for His creation and His blessing for His chosen. When we understand how big and great and awesome God is and how low and undeserving we are it isn’t hard to praise the LORD. When we understand all that God is capable of and just how much He cares for us, praising Him comes naturally. Then we can join with all of creation, as written in Psalm 148, in praising God. “Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His majesty is above earth and heaven.” (Ps 148:13).
1 Cor. 4
Paul stresses to the Corinthians that he and Apollos and others like them are merely servants and stewards for Christ. He even goes so far as to lower his camp, saying they are “like the scum of the world” (verse 13) while lifting up those to whom they minister. Paul is fighting their prideful elevation of one man over another. Those who minister do not belong on a pedestal. Similarly, those to whom they minister should not take pride in whichever minister they favor. So Paul humbles his kind and urges the Corinthians to imitate him in humbly serving God alone. How different might today’s Church look if we all took pride in Christ alone?
Paul does make note in all of this that those who are “stewards of the mysteries of God” (verse 1) – and that really includes all of us, no? – must be found faithful. But He makes the point that being found faithful or not is God’s determination alone. Human opinion does not matter, not even our own opinion of ourselves. While it is good to be able to say, as Paul did, “I am not aware of anything against myself” (verse 4), we must understand, as he went on to say, “I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.” (verse 4). This is why my primary goal in life should be to please God – not anybody else and not even myself. The good news is, that if I live to please God, the rest will take care of itself.