When I was a little child—well not really, but a teenager eager to know the Lord better—I memorized all 107 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism* precepts. To this day I remember two of them: #1, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” And indeed, “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever” is the entire thrust of Scripture, you could even say of life.
My middle grandson is captain of his basketball team at Abilene Christian this year. In the summer Cade was sent to a Christian basketball camp for leadership in Ohio. One of the fun drills I saw on Facebook was to distinguish between famous sayings by NBA greats and Bible quotes. For Cade: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Not only did he know it was Galatians 6:9, but the reference was written on his shoe!
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me! What a truth to hang onto. Consider the changed life of the apostle Paul, from his Pharisaic persecution of the followers of Jesus to his sold-out focus on sharing the way to Christ.
The apostle Paul tells us to expect that God, who made light shine out of darkness at
the beginning of time, is at work making his light shine in our hearts today. His aim is for
us to possess the knowledge of the glory of God, His glory. His gift to us was Jesus in
whose face that glory was made clear.
So how to have the “simplicity of a child”* to hear from the Lord? It begins with genuine fear. Fear wraps itself around our imaginations in a number of ways. Yes, we wish to avoid the displeasure and discipline of God. But He is really asking for the kind of fear that envelops us in awe and reverence, bringing us into the place of true wisdom.
The challenge of integrating God’s sovereignty and my free will resolved once I acknowledged that God’s ways are beyond my understanding. Rather than frustrating me, it propels me into the wonderous depths of God’s unlimited grace for my life and for all who seek Him.
I forgot the wonder and mystery of life until I rocked a newborn, my great grandchild. I recalled my own children kicking and squirming in my tummy and the awe of holding their tiny faces next to mine. Only God can create a living being made in His image.What a marvelous mystery. What a marvelous gift.
A Christian cowboy tends his cattle on the land surrounding my home. The rumble of his
tractor or truck informs me of his daily trips to care for his herd. He watches over the
expectant cows and checks the herd for disease, hoof issues, and insect infestations.
He also counts to confirm none are missing. In summer, he moves them from pasture to
pasture to guarantee plenty of grass and water. When the winter winds blow, he
provides hay for forage and bedding.
God’s Word contains the truths this young man seeks. The Bible offers answers for
pain, suffering, and injustice, but it must be consulted and read with the illuminating
power of the Holy Spirit and examined together with a wise teacher.
The roar of a snarling chainsaw distracted me as the neighboring landowner cleared his
property. I cringed at the sound of mature Pine trees crashing to the ground. That
evening I walked to the fence to investigate the enormous debris pile left behind.
God used this real-life portrayal to illustrate the wasted loveliness and design of His covenant people. He created them to show His renown and praise and honor by their beauty and purpose, to be bound to Him in a covenant relationship. Instead, they refused to listen to His words, and in their own stubbornness, they served and worshipped other gods. I can hear God's heartbreak as He says "But they have not listened"(Jeremiah 13:11).
Zacchaeus seemed to have the good life. He had a good job, plenty of wealth and being a chief tax collector he had authority and yet he was not satisfied. His curiosity was building as he heard stories of Jesus and the miracles He had performed.
We will undoubtedly go through cold, winter seasons in life. Loneliness, scarcity, and grief may threaten to overcome us. We are promised that everything lasts for a season. And seasons change. The winter won't last indefinitely. Although it may seem elusive at the moment, spring will come again.
The Israelites were exiled in Babylon. God knew they needed encouragement, so He wrote them a letter through the prophet Jeremiah. The letter written to the Israelites is timeless. All people from all generations can learn from God's words and gain encouragement.
I’ve leaned into Psalm 62 for weeks now, especially the introductory phrase, I am at rest in God alone. My salvation comes from Him. Footnotes in my study Bible reveal a deeper meaning of “rest.” The Hebrew word, “dumiyah” expresses the idea of silence and rest in the sense of waiting on Yahweh and feeling secure that He will answer prayer and provide protection. Perhaps that’s the calmness I sometimes see in senior adults who have walked many years with the Lord.
God, how can it be that six tons of blubber gracefully leap out of the water, in concert? How can a family "sing" to each other?Surely they are in praise of Your greatness. I am absolutely amazed with You.
And what's the matter with that? God created them to relax and enjoy the hot sun. Just maybe that loud bark was their way of praising Him for a good job done. Besides, adjacent to their sunning rock lies Cobble Beach, composed of round black basalt rock. As the waves roll onto the beach, one can hear an applause-like sound. Hmmm-is the water, are the rocks, also praising God?
Ladies, as the eagle soars to the heights, the goats in Glacier National Park climbed way beyond my expectation. In fact, you'd have to be an eagle to get up close and personal. God certainly designed the goat for the high mountains.
True to human nature, seeing God everywhere takes expectation, and practice. Fortunately, creation can hit you squarely between the eyes with the greatness of God. As the miles ticked by, all 7493 of them, God did not disappoint us. Wonder upon wonder unfolded as rocky precipice gave way to clear blue lake to colossal sand dunes to forests' canopy. S-o-o-o awesome!
Man measures time in years or ages or eras. But not God, He has always existed and always will. He existed for Adam and Eve, for Paul, for my grandmother, and He exists for me.
