Tag: Majesty of God

The Glory of God…

Psalm 19:1-2 (NIV)

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

Our Verse of the Day comes from one of my favorite Psalms.  I am always moved by the eloquence of King David … his inspired poetic and lyrical arrangement of words that thoughtfully express what only our souls can understand. I can relate to his observations and meditations as I gaze into the heavens each night and view the handiwork of God … contemplating His eternal power and His incomprehensible design of wonders beyond our imagination. And then I consider His amazing grace … to create us (living beings) to experience the sensory gifts of sight and sound to enjoy such majesty on display:

Psalm 19:1-6 (NIV)

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech; they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voicegoes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.

Psalm 8:1-9 (NIV)

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Isaiah 42:5-9 (NIV)

This is what God the Lord says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”

Isaiah 45:18-19 (NIV)

For this is what the Lord says— He who created the heavens, He is God; He who fashioned and made the earth, He founded it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— He says: “I am the Lord, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.

Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV)

Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

Once again, I feel humbled by the Word of God.  It reminds me of who I am … who God is … and what this life is all about. We were created to witness and experience the glorious presence of God.  We were created to witness and experience His great, lavish, and everlasting love. We were created to encounter Him and be conformed to the image of His Son. Yes, I am reminded that I was created for HIS pleasure … to be surrendered to His Kingdom and not my own! Indeed, the glory of God emanates from His creation…. And so, I confess that You, Almighty God, are the Sovereign Lord! How majestic is Your Name in all the earth! I bow before You … I hail you as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! You are the Alpha and the Omega … the Beginning and the End! You are forever worthy of all praise!  Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” ~ Revelation 4:9-11

The Sovereignty of God…

Habakkuk 3:19 (NIV)

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He enables me to tread on the heights.

In Our Verse of the Day, I see the reference to the sovereignty of God has come into view for us again; but I think this verse takes us in a somewhat different direction of thought. The Prophet Habakkuk sees the Sovereign Lord (God Almighty) as his source of strength.  Knowing God is sovereign and governs over all circumstances and situations should give us strength and hope.  It should give us boldness when in battle against the darkness of this world.  I love the imagery he used here – comparing the surefootedness of a mountain sheep, antelope, or deer upon steep rocky crags. Though it appears to be in danger of falling; it’s hooves, leg muscles, dexterity, and instincts stabilize its center of gravity as it climbs the heights. It moves gracefully and naturally in its habitat – having confidence in the strength and abilities God has endowed it with….

Habakkuk applies this metaphor to our experience with God. The Father has instilled in us the assurance of His sovereignty and the hope of His compassion. He has given us His Word to instruct us. He has given us His Spirit … His divine power to navigate the challenges and hardships of life that we face. Through these, we receive comfort and confidence in God … the One who created us and called us to be His own people. 

I think it is important for us to see the context of his prayer in order to appreciate his conclusion: “The Sovereign Lord is my strength.”  I encourage you to read the entire Book of Habakkuk to understand the frame of reference found in his “complaints” to God … and the responses of God he shares with us.  It was a time of great upheaval in the land of Judah due the impending invasion of the Chaldeans (Babylonians) – whom God would use to bring judgement upon His rebellious and idolatrous covenant people. Habakkuk struggled to understand why God would permit an evil nation to carry out His purposes. It is a question we have probably pondered as we look at the ever-increasing intensity and extent of evil in our world today.  Perhaps, it should be a wake-up call to the Body of Christ in these latter days….

Despite his concerns and apprehensions surrounding what God is doing to cleanse and deliver His covenant people of their sin, Habakkuk understands that “the righteous will live by faith”. (Cf. 2:4) He is confident of the ultimate goodness, righteousness, and love of God regardless of what his eyes see before him. Habakkuk is unmoved in his faith by the calamities that will befall his sinful nation because he knows that God will preserve His holy ones. Habakkuk assures us that we can trust the sovereignty and justice of God: “The Lord is in holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.” (Cf. 2:20)  And so I love the comfort of his inspired words … especially at the end of his prayer:

Habakkuk 3:16-19 (NIV)

I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to tread on the heights.

Whatever your concerns or apprehensions might be regarding the darkness and evil so prevalent in the world, always remember that the Sovereign Lord is your strength! You and I are able to stand with confidence even upon the rocky crags of mountain heights….  “He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber.” (Cf. Psalm 121:3) Yes, “The Lord is righteous in all His ways and faithful in all He does. The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” (Cf. Psalm 145:17-18) Indeed, I invite you to read both Psalm 121 and Psalm 145 so that your faith will be strengthened. You and I can endure all situations and circumstances through Christ who gives us strength. (Cf. Philippians 4:13)  

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

“See, it is I who created the blacksmith – who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to cause devastation; yet no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. ~ Isaiah 54:16-17

A Prayer of Moses

Psalm 90:2 (NIV)

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

I always love reading the Psalms! So many provide comfort and a time of wonderful meditation. Others, like Psalm 90, challenge our perspective and perception of God. Our Verse of the Day comes from a particular Psalm entitled: A Prayer of Moses, the Man of God. I think it is important to have this in mind to provide more context for the theology presented and the language used.

Psalm 90 – A Prayer of Moses, the Man of God.

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were bornor you brought forth the whole world,from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3 You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return, O children of men.”
4 A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.
5 Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death— they are like the new grass of the morning:
6 In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered.

7 We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation.
8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
9 All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan.
10 Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11 If only we knew the power of your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due Your Name.
12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

13 Relent, Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.

17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.

In this Psalm, in this Prayer of Moses, we see the holiness, majesty, and sovereignty of God contrasted with the sinfulness, weakness, and mortality of man. Yet, within this contrast we find the anticipation of compassion … the assurance of unfailing love … and the restoration of personal relationship with the Lord God. I see this prayer as a call to understand that Father God is the Creator … and we are the created. And how we enter into relationship with God is predicated upon a humble spirit that respects, honors, and reverences Him. That we can even have an intimate relationship with God is an incredible gift of grace; and yet, to have intimacy with Him has been ordained since creation. Why? Because He created us in His image … so that we might have the capacity to know Him and to have fellowship with Him in spirit and in truth….

A focus on Verses 8-12 affords us a great opportunity to gain perspective. Our days here on earth are limited; and this knowledge in itself should lead us to wisdom. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.” (Cf. Psalm 111:10) Yet, we see that it has been the rebellion of His children … our sinfulness and disobedience that has stirred His anger … His wrath. Both of these terms convey the human emotions that we would feel under the same circumstances. Indeed, our sinful nature is so grievous to the Father, that He had to deal with it in a powerful way.  As the Apostle Paul wrote: “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— He did it to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Cf. Romans 3:25-26) And so, this Prayer of Moses leads us to this conclusion found in other inspired writings of the Bible: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom….”

As a final thought, I want us to deeply consider what Moses wrote in the Book of Deuteronomy – the “song” Moses was commanded by the Lord to write down for the children of Israel:

Deuteronomy 31:14-30 (NIV)

The Lord said to Moses, “Now the day of your death is near. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the tent of meeting, where I will commission him.” So, Moses and Joshua came and presented themselves at the tent of meeting. Then the Lord appeared at the tent in a pillar of cloud, and the cloud stood over the entrance to the tent. And the Lord said to Moses: “You are going to rest with your ancestors, and these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake me and break the covenant I made with them. And in that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and calamities will come on them, and in that day they will ask, ‘Have not these disasters come on us because our God is not with us?’ And I will certainly hide my face in that day because of all their wickedness in turning to other gods.

“Now write down this song and teach it to the Israelites and have them sing it, so that it may be a witness for me against them. When I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, the land I promised on oath to their ancestors, and when they eat their fill and thrive, they will turn to other gods and worship them, rejecting me and breaking my covenant. And when many disasters and calamities come on them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten by their descendants. I know what they are disposed to do, even before I bring them into the land I promised them on oath.” So, Moses wrote down this song that day and taught it to the Israelites.

The Lord gave this command to Joshua, son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.” After Moses finished writing in a book the words of this law from beginning to end, he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord: “Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God. There it will remain as a witness against you. For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you have been rebellious against the Lord while I am still alive and with you, how much more will you rebel after I die! Assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and all your officials, so that I can speak these words in their hearing and call the heavens and the earth to testify against them. For I know that after my death you are sure to become utterly corrupt and to turn from the way I have commanded you. In the latter days, disaster will fall on you because you will do evil in the sight of the Lord and arouse His anger by what your hands have made.”

 The Song of Moses

And Moses recited the words of this song from beginning to end in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel: (Click Here to Read Deuteronomy 32 – The Song of Moses).

When I read these scriptures, I am convinced that our relationship with the Father through our Lord Jesus is predicated upon the same principles: a humble spirit that respects, honors, and reverences Him for His mercy and for His salvation from our sin. I am reminded that love, relationship, and intimacy with God is ultimately discovered through our obedience! God has not changed! His Word has not changed! We can experience the relationship for which we were created in Christ Jesus to enjoy … through the obedience that comes through faith!  My prayer is that we will feel both challenged and encouraged as we continue along the journey of faith…. 

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and is in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” ~ John 14:15-18

God of Wonders…

Job 37:5-6 (NIV)

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’

I thought our Verse of the Day had a great message as I watched the gale bent trees and wind driven sheets of rain outside my window – the forces of Hurricane Nicole as it passed through our area. It reminded me again of the sovereign power of God displayed in creation, and this truth resonated even deeper today.  Coming from the Book of Job, I realized that I had not read this particular book in a while, so I thought that I would at least read this chapter and catch up on the wisdom of my patient, suffering friend. However, Chapter 37 was just a continuation of a “rebuke” directed at Job from his friend, Elihu, that had started earlier at the beginning of Chapter 35. So, I spent some time reading these chapters. Although we find at the conclusion of the Book of Job that Elihu and two other friends were misguided in their assessment of Job’s character and his relationship with God, I think their insight and contemplations about the character of God should not be ignored or dismissed. If we look at the discourse of Elihu, we can still glean some inspiration from him that will impact our theology.

Job 37:1-16 (NIV)

1 “At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place. 2 Listen! Listen to the roar of His voice, to the rumbling that comes from His mouth. 3 He unleashes His lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth. 4 After that comes the sound of his roar; He thunders with His majestic voice. When His voice resounds, He holds nothing back. 5 God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding. 6 He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ 7 So that everyone He has made may know His work, He stops all people from their work. 8 The animals take cover; they remain in their dens. 9 The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds. 10 The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen. 11 He loads the clouds with moisture; He scatters His lightning through them. 12 At His direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever He commands them. 13 He brings the clouds to punish people, or to water His earth and show His love. 14 “Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders. 15 Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes His lightning flash? 16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of Him who has perfect knowledge?

In this particular passage, we can find truth regarding the majesty and power of God as it is displayed in familiar scenes of our physical existence. I love the imagery that Elihu uses to describe tempestuous weather … the experience of flashing bolts of lightning and the thunderous sonic booms that shake us afterwards. He entertains the reactions of both man and creatures; and he attributes these workings of nature to its Creator – God Himself. We can observe the mysterious and the miraculous in nature and never quite understand how it all works or how it all fits together. Seriously, do we really understand rain? Do we really understand the wind and its movement? Oh, scientists and meteorologists might explain “how it works,” but I think they fail to expound on “why it works.” I believe the “why” is the inherent wisdom and knowledge of God. Indeed, our Father has ordained and designed every detail of creation for His own purpose and pleasure.

As I meditate on these things, what amazes me the most is that God delights to share His creative pleasure with mankind. King David mused: “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.” (Cf. Psalm 8:3-5) How incredibly wonderful it is that we can view the starry expanses of the universe, the majestic heights of mountains, the beauty of windswept canyons, and intricacies of wave sculpted coastlines – their awe-inspiring vistas filling our eyes with amazement and our hearts with the knowledge of His perfect splendor….

So, yes, I invite you to revisit some of the colorful, poetic language found in the Book of Job … and really throughout much of the “wisdom” literature compiled in the Scriptures. People, moved by the Holy Spirit, captured a wealth of understanding about God as they contemplated and meditated on His creative works. I think, sometimes, we just are too busy in our lives to stop and notice … or to ponder the incredible design of creation and every detail within it. Maybe this verse is a reminder to stop for a moment and receive the joy of knowing everything was created for our enjoyment and delight as well. Indeed, what a gracious and loving Father we have to love and worship in return for this experience of life! So, I pray that today we will be encouraged to spend time with our Heavenly Father and to give Him thanks for the lovingkindness He displays toward us through His Creation….

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. ~ Genesis 1:1

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

All is Yours

1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV)

Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.

I really love the praise and exaltation recorded in this verse … although I have not read 1 Chronicles in quite some time.  So, I am now motivated to do so!  As always, I believe we should consider our verse within the surrounding context in order to understand what is being communicated.  The theme of Chapter 29 is the gathering of resources necessary for the building of the temple of God.  King David addresses the people and relates how he has accumulated from the natural resources and treasuries of Israel (tax dollars) a large sum (i.e. “all my resources”) for its construction.  David then shares that on his own accord, he is additionally giving of his personal wealth for the project. Then David asks, “Who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?  In our modern vernacular, “Who else is willing to put some skin in the game … to ante up … to make an investment … and to show their devotion to God in such a tangible way?” Then the leaders of families; officers of tribes; commanders and officials gave “willingly” of their financial resources for the work of the temple of God. (Verse 6) In fact, the response of leadership was so massive that the people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. And King David praised their generosity as well! (Verse 9) So, we read the praise and exaltation that David offered to God:

1 Chronicles 29:10-13 (NIV)

10 David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

To me, this offering of praise and thanksgiving to God is a beautiful testament to the hearts of the leaders and the people who acknowledge the benevolence and blessing of God over their lives.  David recognizes and proclaims the greatness and majesty of God … His sovereign ownership of all that He created … and that all we have comes from Him.  With heartfelt emotion and conviction, David continued in his oration before the people:

1 Chronicles 29:14-20 (NIV)

14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15 We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. 18 Lord, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. 19 And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.” 20 Then David said to the whole assembly, “Praise the Lord your God.” So they all praised the Lord, the God of their fathers; they bowed down, prostrating themselves before the Lord and the king.

Oh, that we would embrace this mindset and that it would overtake us in this generation! I see an application to be applied to our own hearts as we endeavor to build the true tabernacle … the Body of Christ.  As Paul instructed, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you together are that temple.” (Cf. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17) For we are the temple of the living God. (Cf. 2 Corinthians 6:16) Indeed, this affirmation that we as individual believers form the temple of God is found in most of the epistles written by Paul.  As he wrote to the church in Ephesus:

Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV)

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In Him (Jesus) the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.

1 Peter 2:4-6 (NIV)

4 As you come to Him (Jesus), the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house (a temple of the Spirit) to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” (Quoting Isaiah 28:16) 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” (Quoting Psalm 118:22) 8 and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” (Quoting Isaiah 8:14)

So here is an application that I see.

King David charged the people to build the temple of God for which he had made provision.  He amassed the resources, and inspired the people to give of their time, treasure, and talents.  The purpose was to bring the Kingdom of God into reality in his generation.  Likewise, King Jesus, became the foundation … the chief cornerstone … of the everlasting temple of God.  He, too, made provision in that He gave the resources of His light, His wisdom, His teachings, His words, His miracles, His sanctification, His grace, His peace, and His love that surpasses all knowledge.  Indeed, His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. (Cf. 2 Peter 1:3) And Jesus charged His disciples and followers to give of their time, treasure, and talents to build a living temple in which God dwells by His Spirit. Yes, Jesus has provided everything we need to do the work of building together. The purpose is to bring the Kingdom of God into reality … even now in our generation!

So I join with King David to ask: “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?” Perhaps the more relevant question is: “Do we recognize and affirm within our souls that all things come from God, and we simply return to Him that which is His own?” I believe that most significant point (in light of our knowledge of God) is our “willingness” to give of ourselves … just as David did … just as Jesus gave of Himself. As Paul urged, “In view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Cf. Romans 12:1) Does not giving reflect the integrity of our hearts and the genuineness of our faith? So a question I believe each one of us should ask ourselves each morning is: “Am I willing to consecrate myself to the Lord today?” I challenge each of us to consider how the giving of our time, treasure, and talents to the temple of God … the Body of Christ … demonstrates our faith. Want to be bold and courageous!?! Ask yourself, “Is the generosity of what I offer to the temple of God – praiseworthy?”

I want to leave us there to reflect….

In my meditation, my thoughts are these: My body belongs to the One who created it.  My life belongs to the One who ordained it.  All that I have was given by the One who provided it. Everything I am belongs to a gracious, loving, kind, compassionate, generous, and faithful God! Whatever I give to God is nothing more than a portion of the all He has given me.  Should I not also be generous in the offering of my life because of His grace? “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Cf. Romans 8:32) Oh, my thoughts have returned to exaltation … to praise and thanksgiving to Him who has given us all things.  I want to join King David … but in my generation:

Revelation 4:8-11 (NIV)

Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Revelation 5:11-13 (NIV)

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strengthand honor and glory and praise!” 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

Revelation 7:12 (NIV)

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

So Now You Know!

Have a Blessed Day!

God is the “Why”

Romans 11:13 (NIV)

How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!

When we looked at Psalm 103 last week, we talked about the mysteries of God … what we can know of God … and what remains unknown.  Here Paul emphasizes the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!  Yes, there is a vast wealth of knowledge that we as humans … as created beings … will not ever be able to attain. Yet, that point should not be a hindrance to faith.  To me, it is the unknowable things we are able to observe and experience as living beings that draw us to our Creator.  It is our ability to comprehend that God knows infinitely more that makes us unique … that drives our quest as human beings to pursue knowledge and understanding of created things … that draws our attention to Him.  Indeed, it is the unknowable that builds the foundation of faith.  Here are some additional Scriptures for us to consider:

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Romans 8:24 (NIV)

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?

1 Corinthians 2:7-10 (NIV)

7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”– the things God has prepared for those who love Him— 10 these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV)

17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

So what is important to know? I would like to encourage all of us to seek wisdom and knowledge as King Solomon did.  These are the things God desires us to know:

Proverbs 2:1-8 (NIV)

1My son (or daughter), if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— 3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds success in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8 for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones.

Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

You see, if we really want to know more … if we truly desire wisdom and knowledge … we should focus ourselves on the fear of the Lord!  The fear of the Lord is deep reverence for Him.  And that deep reverence issues from knowing that God is the Creator of all things.  Despite all the advances of astrophysics and quantum theory and the like; the expanse of the universe and all the formations and motions and phenomenon are still a mystery as to origin and perpetuation.  Despite all the advances of medical science, our own formation into being inside the womb is still essentially unknowable. Oh we might know HOW the processes sequence to form a human being, but we do not know WHY those processes work. I submit that God the Father … the Creator … is the WHY! The WHY of the I AM Designer is hidden from us.  It is our knowledge of the HOW that intrigues us to search deeper for the WHY!  I hope that I am articulating this in a comprehensible manner….

What I believe is that God is more concerned with human knowledge of Him and a desire to have an intimate relationship with Him than whether we understand the how all “being” came into existence.  We will never know the answer to that question … because we are not God.  We are created.  Created for His pleasure.  Created to have relationship with Him … with one another … and yes … with creation itself.  The writer of Hebrews reminds us that “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Cf. Hebrews 11:6) Perhaps, this is why the Prophet Isaiah admonished: “Seek the Lord while He may be found;   call on Him while He is near.” (Cf. Isaiah 55:6) And as Paul preached to the Athenians:

Acts 17:22-28 (NIV)

22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. 24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything. Rather, He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’”

Again, I think that what Moses wrote is sufficient for us to apply: “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” What God HAS revealed is sufficient for us to know Him … His nature … His character … His will … and to enable us to follow His law. (Cf. Deuteronomy 29:29) As Peter wrote: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” (Cf. 2 Peter 1:3) Indeed, there is enough knowledge to know that God exists and that He loves us! And we can trust that knowledge when we believe in Jesus … the One He sent … the exact representation of His being. (Cf. Hebrews 1:3) Maybe this will afford new meaning and insight to a final thought I had: “ Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Cf. Matthew 6:33)

So Now You Know ….

Have a Blessed Day!

Not For You To Know

Isaiah 55:8-9

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Sometimes life just doesn’t make sense.  Indeed, life is more mysterious than understood.  But that’s okay!  Really! We do not have to understand everything.  In fact, it is probably best that we do not understand everything….  Now I’m not saying that ignorance is bliss; but I am saying that sometimes the unknown is best … a safe harbor for us.  The unexpected can actually be a source of great joy … especially when we connect the dots and see the picture God has actually drawn out.  Not “knowing” puts us in the position of exercising our faith … it requires us to trust God.  And faith is the desired outcome of every context we encounter in life. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen. (Cf. Hebrews 11:1) And without faith, it is impossible to please Him; for whoever would draw near to God must believe the He exists and the He rewards those who seek Him. (Cf. Hebrews 11:6)

So why this commentary on the matter of faith?  Well, I think it has an intimate connection with our verse.  What we think and understand is based on our limited, finite human knowledge. The thoughts of God are higher than our thoughts.  How God operates is not determined by how we believe He should operate. I think of Job – when God questioned him:

Job 42:1-6 (NKJV)

1Then Job answered the Lord and said: 2 “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4 Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ 5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. 6 Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

We simply do not know the beginning to the end. King Solomon observed:

Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 (NIV)

9 What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? 10 I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. 12 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, 13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God. 14 I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him. 15 That which is has already been, and what is to be has already been; and God requires an account of what is past.

There really is no way to fully know all that God does or why He allows (permits) what happens in our lives.  Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (Cf. Proverbs 19:21) And we can rest assured that His purpose is for our good … even when we cannot see it.  He is conforming us to the image of His Son.  (Cf. Romans 8:28-29) We can be certain that He is perfecting our faith.  (Cf. Hebrews 12:2) Indeed, there is no question that God will be glorified through all that He does. (Cf. John 11:4) So, let’s keep it all in perspective and submit ourselves to the Lord.  (Cf. Isaiah 40:28)

So Now You Know!

Have a Blessed Day!

Take A Look….

Psalm 19:1-2 (NIV)

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

Our verse today focuses on God the Father … the Creator … the Source of all life and being.  I love this verse because I am a stargazer.  On clear nights I study the heavens … tracing star formations and the parade of constellations across the sky.  I view the moon and planets … and I think deeply about the vastness and majesty of all God has created.  The Psalmist tells us the universe declares the glory of God and the work of His hands. This phrasing conveys the thought of personal and purposeful design.   And as I look upon the expanse in awe of the divine power it represents, an inner peace envelopes me, and I feel compelled to thank God in that moment for the privilege of being able to see His handiwork.  What an incredible experience God has given us as humans to observe and engage in His creation….

Theologians would describe this phenomenon as “natural revelation.”  We have the ability to “know” God and His existence through the lens of the observable, physical creation. Perhaps, Paul was inspired by this verse when he penned the Book of Romans.  From the outset of Chapter 1,  Paul expresses the same truth that everyone can know something about God from what is clearly visible in front of them. And he upbraids those who do not acknowledge the God of creation … who are not moved to worship the Father based upon what can be readily known of Him:

Romans 1:18-25 (NIV)

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

That is some very pointed preaching right there!  Quite an indictment of our sinful human nature … as we tend to be more enraptured with the world than the One who created it.  And therein is the deception that can draw hearts far from God. The Apostle John admonished, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17) So maybe we do need to have more preaching on the topic.  What God created for believers to experience and enjoy in Him is quite different from the world unbelievers have created for their own pleasures….

A final thought … when we do take time to marvel at the universe and all of it wonderous beauty, I hope that we will pause to give thanks to God for His love as expressed through creation.  And as you look up at the skies, I encourage you to feel a sense of anticipation.  For who knows?  You might just observe something quite breathtaking when you least expect it … the Lord Jesus coming on the clouds of heaven – with power and great glory! As John wrote: “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2)

Daniel 7:13-14 (NIV)

13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”

Matthew 24:29-31 (NIV)

29 “Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ (Cf. Isaiah 13:10; 34:4) 30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.  31 And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Mark 14:61-63 (NIV)

Again the high priest asked Him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked.

Luke 21:25-28 (NIV)

25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” 

Revelation 1:7 (NIV)

7 “Look, He is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of Him.” So shall it be! Amen. (See Daniel 7:13; Zechariah 12:10)

So Now You Know….

Have a Blessed Day!