God’s works are so great, worth a lifetime of study—endless enjoyment! Splendor and beauty mark his craft; His generosity never gives out. His miracles are his memorial—this God of Grace, this God of Love. (Psalm 111:2-4)
Endless: Of or seeming to have no limit; boundless; infinite; incessant. Our challenge today is for us to consider the works of God. I would like us to put a great deal of effort into this "consideration", then to proclaim what it is we have been "considering" rather than keeping silent about it. There is to be a certain attitude in our consideration of the wonders of God. Get to know God on a personal basis and I believe you will not be "shy" about proclaiming what it is you have discovered in him - in his Word and in those times you spend alone with him. God's works are so great - worth a lifetime of study. God's works - everything from his creative to sustaining power - is worthy of our consideration. His works produce something, don't they? They are not idle works - just fooling around in the "workshop" of creation. They are purposeful and productive - they accomplish something. Every word he utters either sets something in motion, or holds something in check. Not even one word he utters lacks significance. Maybe this is why God wants us to value our time of quiet with him each day - to give us time to consider his works. We often get so busy - just glancing over his Word and not really considering his works, but it is in this considering process that we come to really "apprehend" the greatness of our God.
We are guaranteed a positive return on our "consideration" of God's works - endless enjoyment. I have spoken before about times of retreat, when we just have to take time away from the busy life we lead and center again on the important things in life. I think we need to take 'consideration times' to a whole different level - not just "seasons" of retreat and renewal, but a daily consideration of the works of God in which are sure to find encouragement, hope, and the basis of our trust. To find a way to "consider" God each day for just a few moments - developing the "skill" of studying his works so as to find the endless enjoyment he has for us in them - this is our mission. Splendor and beauty mark his craft. Splendor could also be written as "brilliant distinction". In looking upon God's "craftsmanship", we see such brilliant distinction - everything he creates has a beauty unique to that creative process. Even the "ugly" cacti of the desert have a beauty all their own. Have you ever stopped to explore the crags of the path, seeing deep into the crevices? The tiniest of insects crawl make this their home, protected from the elements, and far outside the reach of passing footsteps. God created the "crag" as a brilliant display of his protection for these little creatures. I wonder just how much we'd see of his splendor and beauty if we stopped to consider all the tiny "crags" he has created along the way in our lives?
His generosity never gives out. In a purely physical sense, my generosity is found lacking at some point. I "give out" until I feel I cannot give anymore. God's generosity finds no end point - there is a continual renewal of his grace, peace, love, and care. There is a liberality and readiness which mark his generosity. He is not a "stingy" giver - his grace cost him all he had! "God loves it when the giver delights in the giving." (2 Corinthians 9:7) When we consider the example of the Giver of all things, we will be challenged to "give" in the same manner - with delight! His miracles are his memorial. A miracle is something which surpasses human knowledge - we just cannot explain it. God's miracles are his memorial - they help "plant" memories of his goodness and greatness displayed in the lives of mankind. I don't know about you, but I want more "memorials" of his goodness and greatness in my life - things which humankind cannot explain. Things like the change of my character - transitioning me from a self-centered sinner into a creature of his love and grace. How about you? Want to be a display of his goodness and greatness? What "miracle" are you expecting of God today? Maybe in considering what God has done already in our lives, we might just find a few memorials we can put on display for all to see! Just sayin!
A daily study in the Word of God. Simple, life-transforming tools to help you grow in Christ.
Showing posts with label Consider. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Consider. Show all posts
Monday, October 11, 2021
Friday, August 16, 2019
Scope this out...
It began one way, but ended another. Is that the story of your life? It goes without saying that "hindsight" is often much better than "foresight". If we could see how everything would turn out in the end, we might not take some of the steps we take along the way. If we had insight into the outcomes of some of our words and actions, we might speak up or volunteer more often as we'd want to have a positive impact in our world. The simple truth is that we don't know how things will end - - and this often keeps us from acting in the first place. Sometimes our action ends up being more like us acting in "blindness" - we just move ahead, groping at whatever we can to avoid stumbling, and hoping to make it to our destination in the end.
I can see now, God, that your decisions are right; your testing has taught me what's true and right. Oh, love me—and right now—hold me tight, just the way you promised. Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to. (Psalm 119:75-77)
Hindsight is the recognition of the realities, possibilities, or requirements of a decision AFTER it occurs. It is this idea of hindsight that caused us to coin the phrase, "Monday Morning Quarterbacking". We can call all the right moves NOW, knowing when to run the ball or when to pass it, simply because we know the OUTCOME of the passes or runs we already chose! In the field I am in, I spend time investigating outcomes of care - - was it successful, did we follow our protocols, did the treatment planned result in the best outcomes for the patient? In other words, I am doing a whole lot of Monday Morning Quarterbacking! Yet, a great deal of my job has to do with just the opposite - foresight.
Foresight is knowledge or insight gained by looking forward into the future. Most of us don't have crystal balls that magically help us to 'see the future'. Foresight suggests the act of looking FORWARD, not just at what has happened, but at will happen if we take various actions. We may not fully grasp the things we behold, but in the FORWARD look we get some insight that causes us to take various actions that are likely a little more 'planned' or 'ordered'. Some believe that foresight involves a whole lot of faith because you are constantly stepping out into the unknown. I guess that might be true, but we must never forget that nothing is unknown to God and he leads our steps.
To the one who surveys land and parcels it off, the term "foresight" is used to describe a reading taken on a point of unknown elevation. There are two types of readings that are taken - - intermediate and true. The intermediate reading focuses on a point that will NOT be used as a turning point or benchmark in the process. The true reading focuses on an UNKNOWN point that WILL be used for a turning point or a benchmark. The turning point is a point along the way that is established as a benchmark. The true purpose of that mark is to provide a new reference point - - like a stake in the ground. In the use of both the BACK-SIGHT (hindsight) and the FORE-SIGHT, the surveyor is able to determine the elevation of what he is observing. That small point in the scope marked as a turning point (benchmark) is simply a temporary focus point. This benchmark is used to focus on the next point, and that one on the next, and so on. That 'hash-mark' in the little scope he uses does a whole lot more than we ever imagined!
The two "sights" have to be used together in order to get a true measure of the elevation! The same is true in our daily walk. We can determine our "elevation" by the "hindsight" and the "foresight" readings we take in life! We may determine that we are making progress toward higher "elevations", or we might just find that we have come to a valley of some sort. Either way, those "points" are analyzed with the use of both "sights". In "looking back" and in also considering what "lays ahead", we begin to see the wisdom of God's ways. Learn to use both "sights" to guide your walk. The challenge for us comes in learning to not rely on one without the other! Both serve a purpose and keep us on target. One without the other gives us a false sense of "reality". So, don't be afraid of "looking back" on occasion to get your "reference point". Those benchmarks along the way are not put there to point out where we have been, but to ensure us that we have an accurate view of the heights that lay ahead! Just sayin!
I can see now, God, that your decisions are right; your testing has taught me what's true and right. Oh, love me—and right now—hold me tight, just the way you promised. Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to. (Psalm 119:75-77)
Hindsight is the recognition of the realities, possibilities, or requirements of a decision AFTER it occurs. It is this idea of hindsight that caused us to coin the phrase, "Monday Morning Quarterbacking". We can call all the right moves NOW, knowing when to run the ball or when to pass it, simply because we know the OUTCOME of the passes or runs we already chose! In the field I am in, I spend time investigating outcomes of care - - was it successful, did we follow our protocols, did the treatment planned result in the best outcomes for the patient? In other words, I am doing a whole lot of Monday Morning Quarterbacking! Yet, a great deal of my job has to do with just the opposite - foresight.
Foresight is knowledge or insight gained by looking forward into the future. Most of us don't have crystal balls that magically help us to 'see the future'. Foresight suggests the act of looking FORWARD, not just at what has happened, but at will happen if we take various actions. We may not fully grasp the things we behold, but in the FORWARD look we get some insight that causes us to take various actions that are likely a little more 'planned' or 'ordered'. Some believe that foresight involves a whole lot of faith because you are constantly stepping out into the unknown. I guess that might be true, but we must never forget that nothing is unknown to God and he leads our steps.
To the one who surveys land and parcels it off, the term "foresight" is used to describe a reading taken on a point of unknown elevation. There are two types of readings that are taken - - intermediate and true. The intermediate reading focuses on a point that will NOT be used as a turning point or benchmark in the process. The true reading focuses on an UNKNOWN point that WILL be used for a turning point or a benchmark. The turning point is a point along the way that is established as a benchmark. The true purpose of that mark is to provide a new reference point - - like a stake in the ground. In the use of both the BACK-SIGHT (hindsight) and the FORE-SIGHT, the surveyor is able to determine the elevation of what he is observing. That small point in the scope marked as a turning point (benchmark) is simply a temporary focus point. This benchmark is used to focus on the next point, and that one on the next, and so on. That 'hash-mark' in the little scope he uses does a whole lot more than we ever imagined!
The two "sights" have to be used together in order to get a true measure of the elevation! The same is true in our daily walk. We can determine our "elevation" by the "hindsight" and the "foresight" readings we take in life! We may determine that we are making progress toward higher "elevations", or we might just find that we have come to a valley of some sort. Either way, those "points" are analyzed with the use of both "sights". In "looking back" and in also considering what "lays ahead", we begin to see the wisdom of God's ways. Learn to use both "sights" to guide your walk. The challenge for us comes in learning to not rely on one without the other! Both serve a purpose and keep us on target. One without the other gives us a false sense of "reality". So, don't be afraid of "looking back" on occasion to get your "reference point". Those benchmarks along the way are not put there to point out where we have been, but to ensure us that we have an accurate view of the heights that lay ahead! Just sayin!
Monday, July 29, 2019
Yum....
Do you mull things over, finding yourself deep in thought, unaware of everything else at the moment because this one thing is your focus? If you are one who turns things over and over until you get a better understanding of the object you are considering, then you are one who mulls or ponders. To ponder means that you consider something deeply and thoroughly. It involves the mind, but it also relies on the involvement of the emotions in the process. It comes from a Latin word that means to "weigh". Some of us might say that we are "reflecting" on an idea - we are simply pondering that idea (weighing the pros and cons). I find I do a great deal of pondering or mulling in the wee hours of the night when I am awakened. My mind begins to work on ideas or issues - some evading both my attention and the 'fix' all day long. In those moments alone in thought, am I really alone? I don't think so - because God is with me in those wee hours!
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you've done it. I relish everything you've told me of life, I won't forget a word of it. (Psalm 119:15-16)
God's wisdom is to be pondered over and over again - that which comes from his Word is given to be considered and reconsidered time and time again. We must learn to "put to the test" the ideas we have running through our minds, those things that are affecting our emotions, by "weighing" them against God's Word. There is no better "scale" to measure our ideas against! Part of pondering is the idea of directing our attention toward whatever it is we are considering. There is focus - not just haphazard consideration - but determined attention toward the object of our reflection. Are we really committed to "using" the counsel God gives to make decisions about our life? Is it more important to us to "use" what God gives than to have all the riches in the world? If so, then we are likely going to reflect upon the Word more and more!
What is the respect we have for the counsel of God? Is it a standard by which we "ponder" on life's decisions? The Word must become the standard by which we make decisions. It is the process of "pondering" that actually brings us to a place where we "learn" the Word. This allows us to have the Word available when we need it - not forgetting it. God's Word is not taken into our minds in huge quantities. It is pondered in small "morsels". A morsel is a small bit - some call it a tidbit. It is like a bite-sized candy bar - just enough to give you a taste, but not enough to send you into a diabetic coma! God's Word is "bite-sized" - specifically so we can take it in and actually 'use' what we take in. We take it in one morsel at a time - pondering the morsel until we find deep satisfaction in it. That is how it begins to be something we come to relish.
When we relish something, we have developed a "taste" for it. Many don't have a well-developed "taste" for God's Word. Perhaps this is because when it is mixed with so many other things we "take in" right along with it, we don't get a full appreciation of the "taste"! I like coffee. My sister likes honey in hers. I like a little creamer and sweetener in my coffee. We have each developed a different "taste" for our coffee. Does the coffee change? No, just our appreciation for the taste of that which is produced by either the focus on the coffee or the additives! We need to develop the ability to ponder. Pondering is not easy because we have so many distractions in our days. When we develop our habits of "intake", is it to consume or to appreciate what we consume. We often consume in quantities that are not easily digested - God desires that we take his Word in bite-sized morsels. In the morsels, we develop a "taste" for his Word - an appreciation of the hidden truths deep within. So, ponder with me today. Enjoy the morsels God gives. Develop a taste for the good things God reveals in his Word. Great delight is found not in the consuming of the Word, but in the pondering of its taste! Just sayin!
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you've done it. I relish everything you've told me of life, I won't forget a word of it. (Psalm 119:15-16)
God's wisdom is to be pondered over and over again - that which comes from his Word is given to be considered and reconsidered time and time again. We must learn to "put to the test" the ideas we have running through our minds, those things that are affecting our emotions, by "weighing" them against God's Word. There is no better "scale" to measure our ideas against! Part of pondering is the idea of directing our attention toward whatever it is we are considering. There is focus - not just haphazard consideration - but determined attention toward the object of our reflection. Are we really committed to "using" the counsel God gives to make decisions about our life? Is it more important to us to "use" what God gives than to have all the riches in the world? If so, then we are likely going to reflect upon the Word more and more!
What is the respect we have for the counsel of God? Is it a standard by which we "ponder" on life's decisions? The Word must become the standard by which we make decisions. It is the process of "pondering" that actually brings us to a place where we "learn" the Word. This allows us to have the Word available when we need it - not forgetting it. God's Word is not taken into our minds in huge quantities. It is pondered in small "morsels". A morsel is a small bit - some call it a tidbit. It is like a bite-sized candy bar - just enough to give you a taste, but not enough to send you into a diabetic coma! God's Word is "bite-sized" - specifically so we can take it in and actually 'use' what we take in. We take it in one morsel at a time - pondering the morsel until we find deep satisfaction in it. That is how it begins to be something we come to relish.
When we relish something, we have developed a "taste" for it. Many don't have a well-developed "taste" for God's Word. Perhaps this is because when it is mixed with so many other things we "take in" right along with it, we don't get a full appreciation of the "taste"! I like coffee. My sister likes honey in hers. I like a little creamer and sweetener in my coffee. We have each developed a different "taste" for our coffee. Does the coffee change? No, just our appreciation for the taste of that which is produced by either the focus on the coffee or the additives! We need to develop the ability to ponder. Pondering is not easy because we have so many distractions in our days. When we develop our habits of "intake", is it to consume or to appreciate what we consume. We often consume in quantities that are not easily digested - God desires that we take his Word in bite-sized morsels. In the morsels, we develop a "taste" for his Word - an appreciation of the hidden truths deep within. So, ponder with me today. Enjoy the morsels God gives. Develop a taste for the good things God reveals in his Word. Great delight is found not in the consuming of the Word, but in the pondering of its taste! Just sayin!
Saturday, October 20, 2018
The wise and the wisest
What action do you plan next? This is a tough question for some of us to answer because we just don't 'plan' our actions - we are more on the spontaneous side of things. Did you ever stop for just a moment to consider that even spontaneous actions are planned at some point? Yes, they are 'in the moment' actions, but we only do them because we have considered them either consciously, or deep within the recesses of our subconscious. All action is really based on some intensity of emotion combined with some belief we are to take that particular action. This is were things get a little complicated, because the intensity of our emotion may not always align with our beliefs! Sometimes they are 'way over the top' and just don't make sense in comparison to the action being enacted.
Form your purpose by asking for counsel, then carry it out using all the help you can get. (Proverbs 20:18)
If you have ever made a 'resolution' to do one thing, and find yourself doing another, it isn't that you didn't 'plan' the action - it is likely that some emotion overrode the original or intended action. There are indeed times when we don't have well thought out plans that are truly "actionable" and "realistic".
If there was one thing that was drilled into me over and over again in nursing school it was that our goals (plans) for our patients needed to be actionable and realistic - something they could actually achieve. In other words, we needed to be able to show how we planned to accomplish the care for our patient, each step outlined in detail, until the goal could be realized - not just through our action, but as a result of how the patient would respond to those interventions. Why was this so important? Simply put - a plan that was outlined with detail gave us guidance in establishing the best course of action that would get us as close to the results we desired to see for our patient's best outcome.
Our "purpose" (PLAN) needs to be formed by asking for counsel. Asking for advice when formulating our plan is important because we NEED the input of others - especially God. Most of the time, we set out on plans ourselves without seeking the input of others (especially God) because we think we have it all figured out. Others (especially God) may see things in a different way, lending a well-rounded approach to the plan. When we have the wisdom of a counselor (especially God) on our side, we may have more "actionable" or "trust-worthy" steps to our plan. The counsel we receive is only as good as the counselor we seek out. In other words, if we want to succeed in weight loss, we go to somehow who has walked the path before us. If we want to learn to invest our finances wisely, we need someone who can live on a budget and who is able to spend wisely. When we come for counsel, we are seeking the opinion of that other person and we are looking for them to give us instruction that will affect our conduct. So, it is important that we seek the best counsel as possible - but never at the expense of excluding God's counsel from his Word and time in prayerful silence.
Every goal has to have actionable steps - those itemized increments that will get us to the goal. No step in the process should be without some purposeful action. If we are just including something into our plan because it looks good or sounds good, but really has no real purpose in aiding in the accomplishment of the plan, it is wasteful - unnecessary fluff that will sap our energy, time, and attention. We spend energy on something that has no results. When we do this, we "burn out" on the plan faster and we don't realize our original goals - intent was good, but execution was poor. What plans do you have for this day or week? Have you sought wise counsel to assist you in formulating your plans (especially God's)? If not, you might want to heed the advice of our scripture. The plans of a righteous man are ordered by God - especially God. The plans of a righteous man are actionable and measurable because they have been submitted to the counsel of the wise - and the wisest. Just sayin!
Form your purpose by asking for counsel, then carry it out using all the help you can get. (Proverbs 20:18)
If you have ever made a 'resolution' to do one thing, and find yourself doing another, it isn't that you didn't 'plan' the action - it is likely that some emotion overrode the original or intended action. There are indeed times when we don't have well thought out plans that are truly "actionable" and "realistic".
If there was one thing that was drilled into me over and over again in nursing school it was that our goals (plans) for our patients needed to be actionable and realistic - something they could actually achieve. In other words, we needed to be able to show how we planned to accomplish the care for our patient, each step outlined in detail, until the goal could be realized - not just through our action, but as a result of how the patient would respond to those interventions. Why was this so important? Simply put - a plan that was outlined with detail gave us guidance in establishing the best course of action that would get us as close to the results we desired to see for our patient's best outcome.
Our "purpose" (PLAN) needs to be formed by asking for counsel. Asking for advice when formulating our plan is important because we NEED the input of others - especially God. Most of the time, we set out on plans ourselves without seeking the input of others (especially God) because we think we have it all figured out. Others (especially God) may see things in a different way, lending a well-rounded approach to the plan. When we have the wisdom of a counselor (especially God) on our side, we may have more "actionable" or "trust-worthy" steps to our plan. The counsel we receive is only as good as the counselor we seek out. In other words, if we want to succeed in weight loss, we go to somehow who has walked the path before us. If we want to learn to invest our finances wisely, we need someone who can live on a budget and who is able to spend wisely. When we come for counsel, we are seeking the opinion of that other person and we are looking for them to give us instruction that will affect our conduct. So, it is important that we seek the best counsel as possible - but never at the expense of excluding God's counsel from his Word and time in prayerful silence.
Every goal has to have actionable steps - those itemized increments that will get us to the goal. No step in the process should be without some purposeful action. If we are just including something into our plan because it looks good or sounds good, but really has no real purpose in aiding in the accomplishment of the plan, it is wasteful - unnecessary fluff that will sap our energy, time, and attention. We spend energy on something that has no results. When we do this, we "burn out" on the plan faster and we don't realize our original goals - intent was good, but execution was poor. What plans do you have for this day or week? Have you sought wise counsel to assist you in formulating your plans (especially God's)? If not, you might want to heed the advice of our scripture. The plans of a righteous man are ordered by God - especially God. The plans of a righteous man are actionable and measurable because they have been submitted to the counsel of the wise - and the wisest. Just sayin!
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Stop to consider
Selah - a Hebrew word rich with meaning. It carries the idea in the Psalms of being an instruction to pause calmly to think about what has just been said. It is a time to pause and carefully consider the meaning of what has been said, while at the same time lifting up our hearts in praise to God. So, it carries this dual meaning of both taking pause and responding to what we are "mulling over" in our minds, hearts, and spirits. The response of praise is perhaps the easiest. The response of "pausing to consider" is not - for we are not accustomed to "ruminating" over scripture. We read it, probably "lightly" considering what we just read, but not really allowing it to lead us into praise and worship. Since the Book of Psalms was actually much like the "hymn book" out of which the Israelites sang their songs of worship, I wonder if this word "selah" might be a place where the musicians just played on while the worshipers took a moment to consider the words they have just sung? Either way, the idea is that of thinking carefully about, especially in order to make a decision - something we call "contemplation". Therefore, selah was a call to take some action after considering the instruction which was presented.
God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to help us in times of trouble. So we are not afraid when the earth quakes and the mountains fall into the sea. We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark and the mountains tremble. Selah (Psalm 46:1-3 ERV)
Don't lose sight of this idea of "taking action", for it is what is missing in most of our churches today. Hundreds will gather in congregations across the world, hear great teaching, and walk away unaffected by what they have heard. Why? No one really took the moment to "selah"! I like the idea of ruminating over scripture because it means we "chew on it" over and over again until we get everything out of it! When we start to approach our study of the Word of God in this way, we might be less concerned with the "accomplished task" of reading through the Bible in a year and more intent on just "digesting" the tidbits we stop along the way to consider!
With this idea of stopping to consider in order to respond, we want to break apart our verses today:
- God is our protection and source of strength. God - not just any god, but Elohim - the one who has created all things who also governs and controls all things. This name of God refers to the attributes of God which suggest he is the owner (possessor) of all things and the one with the power and authority to do all things with what it is he possesses. We see this term used for God whenever it is referring to the part of his character which "covenants" with his people - for he is both the one who covenants and the one who provides the means by which the covenant may be ratified. This is the plural name of God, what some will think of as signifying the Trinity. At first, the "name" used to describe God may not seem significant, but when we "ruminate" on it a little, we see the one who both creates and owns all things is both the protector of all things and the source of strength for all things. He doesn't just "create" and then leave us to do our own thing - figure out life on our own. He creates us for relationship - to be intimately connected to him as our source of protection and strength - not dependent upon our own self-effort to get us through.
- He is always ready to help us in times of trouble. Elohim is still being spoken of here - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The "triune" God stands "on the ready" to help us. In field and track, one of the "postures" they taught us was to be "on the ready" to leave the starting block, or to take over the carrying of the baton. This signified a sense of alertness and readiness to respond. The idea is of watchfulness and awareness. Our God both watches over us and is continually aware of the happenings in our lives. Nothing escapes his notice, nor his care. Times of trouble are those things which arise and bring a disturbance in our "mental calm" and / or contentment. God is ever-aware of what brings us worry - he stands on the ready to take the load from us, carrying it on our behalf. He stands alert to those things which remove us from a place of balance in our lives - knowing the damage "being out of balance" can cause. The challenge comes in letting him carry the load!
- So...we are not afraid when the earth quakes and the mountains fall into the sea. Most of us don't live on earthquake faults, nor do we see "mountains" crumbling into the sea most days, but this is an apt description for us of what life can "appear" to be like when our peace has been disturbed and our contentment affected deeply. We "feel" like the world is caving in around us and we are going to be "buried alive" by the pressures of these things. Earthquakes don't "just happen" - there has been this "shifting" of something deep within the earth which no longer allows for the "elasticity" of movement to occur unnoticed. The earth is always shifting below the surface, but we seldom notice because there is no "tremor". When the shift occurs long enough and with great enough force, the "tremor" occurs - the "elastic strain" is at its max. Doesn't this describe how pressures mount within us at times? We are going along with the subtle "shifts" here and there, able to move with the shifts which occur until one day when the pressure is just too much and the strain is unbearable. At that point - we give way to the "tremors". When we are faced with the "tremors" of life, he is there - not to just observe them, but to hold us close as we go through them - fearlessly, faithfully, and with tremendous grace.
- We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark and the mountains tremble. It doesn't say we should not be afraid - it says we are not afraid. Should implies there is a choice - we plan on not being afraid, but maybe we won't act upon those plans. This is not what is presented - we ARE NOT afraid. Period! This is because we consider our source of strength in times of trouble - our source of help. It is not in the best laid plans, but in the closeness of relationship we maintain with the source of all strength and peace!
To this I can only add, "Selah". Just sayin!
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Considering God
Endless: Of or seeming to have no limit; boundless; infinite; incessant. Our psalmist challenges us to consider the works of God. In fact, he challenges us to put a great deal of effort into this "consideration", then to proclaim what it is we have been "considering" rather than keeping silent about it. There is to be a certain attitude in our consideration of the wonders of God. It becomes apparent as we examine this passage that David exemplifies the heart of a man who has "gotten to know" God on a personal basis and is not "shy" about proclaiming what it is he has discovered. As he begins this psalm, he begins with the words, "Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got..."
God's works are so great - worth a lifetime of study. We might just glance over this if we don't take a moment to pause and consider what David was saying. God's works - everything from his creative to sustaining power - is worthy of our consideration. His works produce something, don't they? They are not idle works - just fooling around in the "workshop" of creation. They are purposeful and productive - they accomplish something. Every word he utters either sets something in motion, or holds something in check. Not even one word he utters lacks significance. David says his works are worth a lifetime of study. Hmmm...now maybe this is why God wants us to value our time of quiet with him each day - to give us time to consider his works. We often get so busy - just glancing over his Word and not really considering his works, but it is in this considering process that we come to really "apprehend" the greatness of our God.
David says we are guaranteed a positive return on our "consideration" of God's works - endless enjoyment. I have spoke before about times of retreat, when we just have to take time away from the busy life we lead and center again on the important things in life. I think David had taken this to a whole different level in his life - not just "seasons" of retreat and renewal, but a daily consideration of the works of God in which he found encouragement, hope, and the basis of his trust. Perhaps this a good "resolution" for us this year - to find a way to "consider" God each day for just a few moments - developing the "skill" of studying his works so as to find the endless enjoyment he has for us in them.
Splendor and beauty mark his craft. Splendor could also be written as "brilliant distinction". In looking upon the God's "craftsmanship", we see such brilliant distinction - everything he creates has a beauty unique to that creative process. Even the "ugly" cacti of the desert have a beauty all their own. Have you ever stopped to explore the crags of the path, seeing deep into the crevices? The tiniest of insects crawl make this their home, protected from the elements, and far outside the reach of passing footsteps. God created the "crag" as a brilliant display of his protection for these little creatures. I wonder just how much we'd see of his splendor and beauty if we stopped to consider all the tiny "crags" he has created along the way in our lives?
His generosity never gives out. In a purely physical sense, my generosity is found lacking at some point - I "give out" until I feel I cannot give anymore. God's generosity finds no end point - there is a continual renewal of his grace, peace, love, and care. There is a liberality and readiness which mark his generosity. He is not a "stingy" giver - his grace cost him all he had! Maybe this is why Paul tells the Corinthian church, "God loves it when the giver delights in the giving." (2 Corinthians 9:7 MSG) When we consider the example of the Giver of all things, we will be challenged to "give" in the same manner - with delight!
His miracles are his memorial. A miracle is something which surpasses human knowledge - we just cannot explain it. God's miracles are his memorial - they help "plant" memories of his goodness and greatness displayed in the lives of mankind. I don't know about you, but I want more "memorials" of his goodness and greatness in my life - things which humankind cannot explain. Things like the change of my character - transitioning me from a self-centered sinner into a creature of his love and grace. How about you? Want to be a display of his goodness and greatness? What "miracle" are you expecting of God this year? Maybe in considering what God has done already in our lives, we might just find a few memorials we can put on display for all to see! Just sayin!
God’s works are so great, worth
A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment!
Splendor and beauty mark his craft;
His generosity never gives out.
His miracles are his memorial—
This God of Grace, this God of Love.
(Psalm 111:2-4 MSG)
God's works are so great - worth a lifetime of study. We might just glance over this if we don't take a moment to pause and consider what David was saying. God's works - everything from his creative to sustaining power - is worthy of our consideration. His works produce something, don't they? They are not idle works - just fooling around in the "workshop" of creation. They are purposeful and productive - they accomplish something. Every word he utters either sets something in motion, or holds something in check. Not even one word he utters lacks significance. David says his works are worth a lifetime of study. Hmmm...now maybe this is why God wants us to value our time of quiet with him each day - to give us time to consider his works. We often get so busy - just glancing over his Word and not really considering his works, but it is in this considering process that we come to really "apprehend" the greatness of our God.
David says we are guaranteed a positive return on our "consideration" of God's works - endless enjoyment. I have spoke before about times of retreat, when we just have to take time away from the busy life we lead and center again on the important things in life. I think David had taken this to a whole different level in his life - not just "seasons" of retreat and renewal, but a daily consideration of the works of God in which he found encouragement, hope, and the basis of his trust. Perhaps this a good "resolution" for us this year - to find a way to "consider" God each day for just a few moments - developing the "skill" of studying his works so as to find the endless enjoyment he has for us in them.
Splendor and beauty mark his craft. Splendor could also be written as "brilliant distinction". In looking upon the God's "craftsmanship", we see such brilliant distinction - everything he creates has a beauty unique to that creative process. Even the "ugly" cacti of the desert have a beauty all their own. Have you ever stopped to explore the crags of the path, seeing deep into the crevices? The tiniest of insects crawl make this their home, protected from the elements, and far outside the reach of passing footsteps. God created the "crag" as a brilliant display of his protection for these little creatures. I wonder just how much we'd see of his splendor and beauty if we stopped to consider all the tiny "crags" he has created along the way in our lives?
His generosity never gives out. In a purely physical sense, my generosity is found lacking at some point - I "give out" until I feel I cannot give anymore. God's generosity finds no end point - there is a continual renewal of his grace, peace, love, and care. There is a liberality and readiness which mark his generosity. He is not a "stingy" giver - his grace cost him all he had! Maybe this is why Paul tells the Corinthian church, "God loves it when the giver delights in the giving." (2 Corinthians 9:7 MSG) When we consider the example of the Giver of all things, we will be challenged to "give" in the same manner - with delight!
His miracles are his memorial. A miracle is something which surpasses human knowledge - we just cannot explain it. God's miracles are his memorial - they help "plant" memories of his goodness and greatness displayed in the lives of mankind. I don't know about you, but I want more "memorials" of his goodness and greatness in my life - things which humankind cannot explain. Things like the change of my character - transitioning me from a self-centered sinner into a creature of his love and grace. How about you? Want to be a display of his goodness and greatness? What "miracle" are you expecting of God this year? Maybe in considering what God has done already in our lives, we might just find a few memorials we can put on display for all to see! Just sayin!
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