God Promises He Will Restore You

Psalms 147:1-3 Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!  2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
 
THE Jews had returned from their exile in Babylon. Think for a minute of their circumstances. Have you ever lost a home due to flood, wind or war? What was it like for you when you had to live away from home? How was it when you returned to find your home broken or gone? Was your heart broken? Did you feel the wounds of your loss? Is there any way you would sing, “Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” In your loss, you might find it difficult to paise and worship our God. Or you might not. What would make the difference?  
   We can believe these are the questions the Jews needed to answer when this praise and worship psalm was written. The Jews were returning from Babylon’s exile. Many of them had lost great-grandparents, grandparents and others connected to their family in Babylon’s conquest. Other relatives and friends had died in Babylon during the 70 years exile. Along with these emotional scars, the returning Jews encountered a desolate and devastated Jerusalem. The temple was gone. The fortified walls were broken. The fields, vineyards and orchards were untended and unproductive. God had judged Judah. Now he’s returned the Jews to restore the Jews’ fields, city and hearts. Would the LORD, could the LORD do this?
   The Jews would answer this with a determined, “Yes, he can, and he will!” when they consider v 4 he determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. 5 Great is our LORD and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
   They would be sure of God’s care when they saw him through God’s care for their ancestors. The Bible tells us of people such as Joseph, Gideon, David, Jeremiah, Daniel and others. They faced life-threatening challenges. They could have turned from God because of their enemies’ threats and persecution that continued even on their return. But the Jews remained humble, full-hearted in their faith to know v 6 the LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. The psalmist also reminds them how God’s grand universe cares for mankind. V 8 He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. Our LORD also tends to the animals who rely completely on his provision. V 9 He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.
   With patient, faithful eyes on God, you can know he will heal the brokenhearted and sustain his faithful people. We have this remarkable promise from his throne: V 11 the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
   Jesus later said it this way: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Be with God, who promises to be with you. Be restored.