Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
To perceive God in the natural world you have to seek him and you have to want to discover him. God can’t be too obvious or else we can forget free will and, like us, God generally doesn’t show up where he’s not wanted…
Psalm 18:8-9
Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet.
God is a non-physical being. The Bible uses metaphors to describe him, like Abba (Daddy), Fortress, and Rock.
How about dragon? That’s what this sounds like in Psalm 18. But, dragon is also a negative metaphor for Satan in the Book of Revelation.
So let’s stick to Rock…Not The Rock, though…
Has someone had an impact in your life that they might not even remember? But it was significant for you?
God works like that, too. Where you don’t expect him…
Psalm 17:8
Keep me as the apple of your eye…
Those who are precious to God are called the ‘apple of his eye’ in four different places in the Bible. Why this term?
Traced to its root, it appears to be related to the pupil of the eye. In other words,
Always have your eyes on me, God.
Psalm 16:11
You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy
Follow God where he leads you and you will be filled to the brim with joy. God is glad to be with you!
Psalm 15:5 Whoever does these things will never be shaken.
Psalm 15 is a description of a person of good character. We don’t do these things to prove anything, but as the Holy Spirit is transforming our lives, we are becoming the kind of person that can do them.
What does a person of good character look like?
Like this…
Psalm 14:1
The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
The Hebrew word for “fool,” nabal, isn’t about intelligence, as much as it is moral deficiency. Here’s the thing.
God must be hidden enough that we can hide from him. If God is too obvious, then we really don’t have a choice to be in relationship. No free will. We wouldn’t be human the way god designed us.
Psalm 13:1
There has to be some distance between us and God or else we would not have free will. If you don’t want God in your life, he respects this, and generally stays away. If you want God in your life, and you really seek him, he will eventually show up.
Look for the presence of God today.
Psalm 12:5 “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.”
When we think about poverty, rightfully, our hearts go out especially to children. This is understandable. Yet, there is also a sub group that is in poverty and, at times, overlooked. The elderly.
In my state, California, 20% of the elderly live in poverty. And the elderly are quite susceptible to scams and purchasing services they don’t need in confusion. Thieves prey on our elders, especially in this information age. This brings added suffering for those who are in poverty already.
Lord, protect our elders from those who would malign them, as you have spoken.
Amen
The family of Jesus thought he was out of his mind. How about your family? For that matter, who is your family?
Jesus brings a new perspective…
Mark 3:20-35
