Our psalm today, Psalm 147, talks about God’s strength and tenderness.

Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (verses 1-3, ESV)

God gathers His scattered flock and brings healing. He restores His people. In what way could you benefit from healing?

He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre! He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. (verses 4-9, ESV)

We hear of God’s greatness beyond measure, yet He notices and cares for those who have been brought low and even a seemingly insignificant bird.

His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you. He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat. He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. (verses 10-15 ESV)

He’s not interested in our strength or power. What are they compared to His? It is His strength that blesses and protects. With God at work, there is nothing to fear.

He gives snow like wool; he scatters hoarfrost like ashes. He hurls down crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and waters flow. He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his rules. Praise the Lord! (verses 16-20 ESV)

We in Minnesota get to see a range of His weather making abilities. We know what a storm can do. Despite His greatness, His heart is set on us, though small, human beings that we are.
In Him there is much to Give Thanks!