11. Creation’s Voice

Psa 36:5 Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

Psa 36:6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O LORD.

Psa 36:7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Psa 36:8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

Psa 36:9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.

What wonderful words are these! I received a portion in an email from the Voice of the Martyrs today and thought I would share them with you. In what ways do we see the character of God manifested in His marvelous creation? These verses tell us of a few:

1) His creation is great, unfathomed, infinite, and so is our God! The stars swirl endlessly into space. Our bodies are infinitely complex. As technology advances, the complexity of living things fills our microscopes and our minds. Whether I’m splitting atoms or admiring stars, my God is infinite in even the very minute details of my life.

2) Yet the greatness of our God would be nothing to us if it could not touch our hearts. A mother’s hand would mean nothing to her child if they were separated from birth. Yet praise be to God, his greatness did not separate us but His love united us to Himself. His greatness combined with His love in such a way that He sent His own infinite Son into a finite world to bring mortal, insignificant man to God! Therefore, The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.  What a neat picture God has given us in the example of a hen protecting her chicks. The God Who created us to love is the God who loves us without measure.

3) Water abounds with symbolism in the Scriptures. Here the psalmist seems to link it with a never-ending stream of satisfying delight and exhuberant life.

4) Light is another rich symbol of Scripture. Surely it is God who enlightens us to truth, to direction, to correction, to preservation. How dark would be our hearts in the shadow of death without the shining Light of His Word and countenance upon us. How delightful to have the “Dayspring (sunrise) from on High” with us each day! Luke 1:78-79

~NEB

10. Opened

We go to Calvary and see an opened side, from which flowed out our Saviour’s precious blood John 19:34. We hear a cry “Finished,” and behold, rocks rend and a broken veil reveals a way opened into the Holiest Heb. 10:19. We find the power of death is broken and the graves are opened Matthew 27:52. We travel to the garden and view an open tomb; the great stone is rolled away John 20:1. We walk along a road to Emmaus as the Scriptures are opened to us Luke 24:32. Later our eyes are opened and we stare in amazement after the One Who ROSE AGAIN and revealed Himself to us Luke 24:31. We gather behind closed doors and the Lord appears to open our understanding of all that has transpired Luke 24:45.

May my heart be opened to the reality and wonder of the Man of Calvary and what He has done for me Acts 16:14, and may I see and experience the Scriptures as if I had been there. May the grandeur of the One for whom the heavens were opened meet my gaze as I meditate upon Him today. Mark 1:10, John 1:51, Acts 7:56.

“But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.” John 19:34

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh…”  Hebrews 10:19-20 ESV

“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.” John 20:1

“And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose” Matt. 27:52

“And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” Luke 24:32

“And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. ” Luke 24:31

“Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures” Luke 24:45

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” Acts 16:14

“And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. ” Mark 1:10-11

“And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. ” John 1:51

“But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. ” Acts 7:55-56

9. Service of Saints

I recently heard a preacher link rewards (at the Judgement Seat of Christ) with levels of service (compare Luke 19:17 “have thou authority over ten cities”). It has gotten me thinking a little bit about service in our lives and service in the future, and I’m wondering what your thoughts and meditations are on this subject.

Specifically,

A. The privilege of service
B. The joy of service
C. The responsibility of service
D. The spheres of service
E. The motive and attitude in service
F. The Lord’s example of service
G. Future service / reward of service (“we shall also reign with Him”)

Do any of these trigger thoughts you’d like to share?

8. “All these things are against me.” Gen. 42:36

It seemed everything was against Jacob. He was still grieving over the apparent death of his beloved Joseph, he had no idea if Simeon would ever return, and his youngest son was about to be made to leave home. They were experiencing a great famine and they would starve without a long trek back into Egypt to buy food from a seemingly hostile ruler. What more could go wrong?

Yet, “if God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31). Things are not always as they appear, and to faith, God’s good purpose will be fulfilled regardless of appearances to the contrary. “All things work together for good to them that love God.” (Rom 8:28 ) “Joseph is yet alive!”, Simeon would soon return, Benjamin would meet his brother, the family would be united, sin would be dealt with and put away, and the whole family would soon have their fill of the very best of the land of Egypt. Really, how could things have been better? 

Without Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5), but
“I can do ALL THINGS through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13)
“With God, ALL THINGS are possible” (Matt 19:26)
“He hath done ALL THINGS well” (Mark 7:37)
“ALL THINGS are yours… and ye are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” 1Cor 3:21,23
2Cor 4:7-18 ALL THINGS (tribulations) are for the benefit of others.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 
No, in ALL THESE THINGS we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Rom 8:35-37) 

I’ll pass along a few thoughts given to us from Jerry Jennings last night:
God brings:
Sweet out of Bitter
Strength out of Weakness
Triumph out of Tradgedy, and
Blessing out of Broken hearts.

If you’re like me, you sometimes find yourself repeating Jacob’s words. Yet God’s strengthening words, all-sufficient hand, and sympathizing heart are ever near. May you enjoy His feast out of famine, fruit out of failings, and faith out of floundering today.

~NEB

7. Path of Purity

“Keep thyself pure“

1 Tim. 5:22

This blog is really thoughts for myself, but since I’m reminding myself I thought I would share it with you, too.

How can I “keep myself pure”?

Here are a few of the thoughts I’ve considered:

1) Where is my Heart? and upon what do I think? The purposes I have

• My affection:
  “Do not love the world or the things in the world.” 1John 2:15
  “Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness. ” Psalm 119:159
  “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. ” 1John 4:7
  “O love the LORD, all ye his saints” Psalm 31:23 
• My occupation:
  Col. 3:1-17 fits well here. “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” v2-3
  Phil. 4:8 “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
• My conviction:
  Is my purpose in life to grow great in the world or to grow nearer to Christ?
• My supplication:
  How much do I live in the attitude of prayer?

2) What are my Habits? The places I go

• How wisely do I use my time? Do I have time when I just sit around and do nothing? Do I feel bored with life? Do I spend many hours doing things that are just “fun” but worth nothing to me spiritually? (I don’t think it’s wrong to do things for fun, and I sure don’t want to do things for God out of drudgery – and this isn’t worth much to God anyway– but surely we can find things that are both enjoyable and that benefit others as well, like visiting the sick or elderly, singing hymns together, or playing Bible games with Christian friends.)
• Do I have worldly associations and commitments that take away from God and His word?”Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ” Eph 5:1-2″Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Eph. 5:15-17

3) Who do I “Hang out” with? The people I associate with

• Do my friends help me learn more about Christ? Are they good role models? Would they rather discuss the Scriptures or watch a movie?”Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Eph. 5:11

The importance of purity: Biblical examples

Yet why is it so important for me to “keep myself pure”? I have considered various Bible characters who failed in this and some of the results they suffered from.

Solomon failed in relation to his heart. “Now King Solomon loved many foreign women” 1Kings 11:1 As a result the kingdom was divided, and his peace was affected. 

David likely failed in his habits. It appears “he arose from his couch” and went for an idle stroll. As a result of his sin against Uriah and with Bathsheba the sword did not depart from his house, his own family rose up against him, and many in Israel died.

Lot failed in both his aspirations and associations. As a result, he lost everything that he had been attracted to and sought after. His possessions were burned, his wife perished, and his family was dishonoured. His earthly treasures didn’t stand the test of the fire.

Samson failed in all three: He had worldy purposes, went to unclean places, and spent his time with ungodly people. As a result he lost his separation, strength, sight, and ultimately his “soul” or life. “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?” Matt 16:25-26

The Lord Jesus is the perfect example of purity. 

The Lord Jesus was pure in thought, deed, and word. He was “separate from sinners” yet always available as a friend to the downcast and needy sinner. His voice could cause those who came to lay their hands on him to fall backward to the ground, but His gracious touch and word also said “I will, be thou clean” to a needy leper. His days were full of “Father, I thank Thee” and his hours with “I have compassion on the multitude”. His heart was ever “I delight to do Thy will, Oh My God, yea Thy law is within My heart.” Yea, even on Calvary He displayed purity of affection, occupation, conviction, and supplication. How perfect is our Example! He knew no sin, did no sin, and in Him was no sin. 

Let my prayer be, “Lord, may I love Thee wholely, trust Thee truly, and serve thee faithfully until Thou dost come.”

~NEB