There's got to be a connection between God's omnipotence and His inexhaustible lovingkindness. The power of the living God is unquestionably unlimited. Yet, is it His raw power, His unimpeachable sovereignty that gives Him power over us? Perhaps there is no escaping that, but from an experienceal point of view, His loving nature, not His irresistible providence is the source of His influence.
"It's you kindness that leads us to repentance O Lord."
If I gauge my desire to please God by how motivated I am to slam the door on temptation, then one single act of kindness to me from God far outweighs any other source of inspiration. We all struggle with sin. The more distant I feel from a living active relationship with God, the more prone I am to adopt a "why-not" attitude when tempted. Acts of kindness from God draw me toward Him. I am filled with gratefulness and hope. When temptation presents itself in at such a time, I am far less inclined to jeopardize the bliss of peace with God.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Meditation for a New Work Year
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul,. In you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
When things are not right where do I turn for comfort and assurance. To what or whom do I look to express, "Hey, look what happened to me here?" It's natural to look to authorities and point out the inequities that distress me. It seems appealing to look to others who also may be discontent and seek commiseration. But no justice comes from human authorities or systems, and no wisdom comes from the company of the discontented. There is no help or comfort to be gotten there.
Thus, "To you O Lord I lift up my soul, in you I trust O my God."
It is in God that my prayer, "Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me," is poured out.
No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
When I flop down before God, and pour out my heart as a child to a father, the assurance that I have is, "No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame." I can rest now. Though the circumstances may still sting as long as they persist, my fears of utter destruction, of shame and humiliation are shown to be mere spasms of imagination. The reality is declared in the promise: No one whose hope is n you will ever be put to shame."
But they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
Another burden I do not need to carry in to this new school year is that of concern about the fate of others. The Lord will deal with the treacherous, in His time, in His way. I do not even know which people are really the "treacherous" ones. I am not the judge.
Which brings me to that with which I do have to concern myself, my own conduct. Have unpleasant circumstances come into my life from outside the purview of God? Hardly. He knows the path He has chosen for me. He is deliberate and purposeful. His purpose is good, His method perfect.
Job 23
Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
When things are not right where do I turn for comfort and assurance. To what or whom do I look to express, "Hey, look what happened to me here?" It's natural to look to authorities and point out the inequities that distress me. It seems appealing to look to others who also may be discontent and seek commiseration. But no justice comes from human authorities or systems, and no wisdom comes from the company of the discontented. There is no help or comfort to be gotten there.
Thus, "To you O Lord I lift up my soul, in you I trust O my God."
It is in God that my prayer, "Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me," is poured out.
No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
When I flop down before God, and pour out my heart as a child to a father, the assurance that I have is, "No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame." I can rest now. Though the circumstances may still sting as long as they persist, my fears of utter destruction, of shame and humiliation are shown to be mere spasms of imagination. The reality is declared in the promise: No one whose hope is n you will ever be put to shame."
But they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
Another burden I do not need to carry in to this new school year is that of concern about the fate of others. The Lord will deal with the treacherous, in His time, in His way. I do not even know which people are really the "treacherous" ones. I am not the judge.
Which brings me to that with which I do have to concern myself, my own conduct. Have unpleasant circumstances come into my life from outside the purview of God? Hardly. He knows the path He has chosen for me. He is deliberate and purposeful. His purpose is good, His method perfect.
Job 23
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Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Object of Mercy
Romans 9:22,24
What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath – prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory – even us whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?
Today, cringing in anticipation of a lashing, I turned to the scripture reading for July 26. I'm a bit behind having determined to only open and read when I am open and listening. But again for the umpteenth time I was given a word that reinforced the theme of many of God's personal words to me this past twelve months.. "I love you because I love. You are righteous because I made you so."
Beginning with a time of confession this morning, all I could say is; "See! Nothing much has changed. What can I expect from You today? But where else can I go but to You? So, here I am. Please, extend your great mercy one more time and speak to me. I'm listening."
In response, through the reading from Romans 9:23 - 10:13, I was reminded that no finite collection of dust and water (mud) such as myself could ever exhaust the goodness and mercy of the infinite and gracious God.
Psalm 20:1-2
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;..
May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.
May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.
What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath – prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory – even us whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?
Today, cringing in anticipation of a lashing, I turned to the scripture reading for July 26. I'm a bit behind having determined to only open and read when I am open and listening. But again for the umpteenth time I was given a word that reinforced the theme of many of God's personal words to me this past twelve months.. "I love you because I love. You are righteous because I made you so."
Beginning with a time of confession this morning, all I could say is; "See! Nothing much has changed. What can I expect from You today? But where else can I go but to You? So, here I am. Please, extend your great mercy one more time and speak to me. I'm listening."
In response, through the reading from Romans 9:23 - 10:13, I was reminded that no finite collection of dust and water (mud) such as myself could ever exhaust the goodness and mercy of the infinite and gracious God.
Psalm 20:1-2
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;..
May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.
May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.
(Selah)
The Lord knows that the basic distress of all His saints results from our perception that, for whatever reason, we are about to be harmed and there is no hope of joy in the circumstance. This fearful perception comes from two sources, shame and fear. I believe I've screwed up, sinned, so badly that God's only wise choice is to let the hammer of natural consequence fall heavily upon me, and that the mal-intent of those around me is going to be unleashed to amplify that blow thus crushing me in humiliation.
But this morning's Word was an assurance that God will answer, send help, and remember my sacrifice (Jesus) and accept my burnt offerings (prayers of confession, and repentance).
The result will be a restoration of joy.
Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
He answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.
Psalm 20:6
The Lord knows that the basic distress of all His saints results from our perception that, for whatever reason, we are about to be harmed and there is no hope of joy in the circumstance. This fearful perception comes from two sources, shame and fear. I believe I've screwed up, sinned, so badly that God's only wise choice is to let the hammer of natural consequence fall heavily upon me, and that the mal-intent of those around me is going to be unleashed to amplify that blow thus crushing me in humiliation.
But this morning's Word was an assurance that God will answer, send help, and remember my sacrifice (Jesus) and accept my burnt offerings (prayers of confession, and repentance).
The result will be a restoration of joy.
Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
He answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.
Psalm 20:6
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