God's Resume

Have you ever considered what God's qualities might mean to you personally? Here are a few to consider:

CREATOR: Lord, You created me and each member of my family. You created or allowed the circumstances that we are in now: our jobs, home, teachers, friends, and opportunities. You have created or allowed our resources: financial, spiritual, material, emotional, and mental.

EVER-PRESENT: You are with each of us when we are otherwise alone, as well as when we are together with others. You are at school, at work, at home, on the road, and anywhere we might visit. You're not just here now, but you are present in the future. I cannot go anywhere without you. I need not send my family anywhere without you -- today or in the future. You will be there when I cannot. You are here with me and there with my loved ones when I fail You and them.

ALL-KNOWING: You know my thoughts and the thoughts of others. You know our tendencies, weaknesses, strengths, and limitations. You know our desires, attitudes, motives, and concerns. You know our fears, doubts, and lack of faith. You know every word spoken and every decision made. You know the future; You know the choices we will make, the sins we will commit, and the obedience we will show. You know our destinations.

ALMIGHTY: You can do everything and anything. You can change things; You can bless; You can influence; You can prevent; You can protect; You can set aside; You can intervene; You can empower. You can fill, guide, direct, persuade, and teach. You can comfort and heal.

UNCHANGING: All these things will always be true about You. You and Your promises remain the same throughout time.

"I will extol Thee, my God, O King; And I will bless Thy name forever. Every day I will bless Thee, and I will praise Thy name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.... The Lord is righteous in all His ways, And kind in all His deeds. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them." Psalm 145:1-3, 17-19.

Psalm 119: Revive Me

Psalm 119 is special in many ways. It is the longest chapter in the Bible (176 verses). It is an acrostic that uses the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet (all eight lines in each of the 22 sections begin with that same letter in the original Hebrew). It is God's Word in praise of God's Word.

The writer of this Psalm expresses great desire to know and be committed to the Word of the Lord. Many terms are used to describe God's Word: law, saying, commandment, statutes, precepts, ordinances and testimony. Reading Psalm 119 is a wonderful way to prayerfully begin each daily quiet time with our Heavenly Father.
"Revive me according to Thy word."
"Revive me through Thy righteousness."
"Revive me according to Thy loving kindness."
"Revive me, Oh Lord, according to Thine ordinances."
"Revive me in Thy ways."

These petitions and their variations are repeated throughout the Psalm. The sincerity of the psalmist's heart is reflected in his approach and his requests:
"With all my heart I have sought Thee." v.10
"Thy word I have treasured in my heart." v. 11
"Open my eyes..." v. 18
"Teach me..." v. 26
"Make me understand..." v. 27
"Strengthen me..." v. 28
"Incline my heart..." v. 36
"Sustain me..." v. 116
"Uphold me..." v. 117
"Establish my footsteps..." v 133

These are the words and this is the attitude of a person seeking the Lord's revival in his/her heart. Does Psalm 119 reflect our own? The psalmist didn't wait until he had manufactured his own longing for God -- he asked God to create it: "I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant..." v. 176.

Amazed but Shouldn't Be

When I think of all the wonderful things that God has done in my life,
I must admit, I am amazed...
although I shouldn't be.
As I see how he meets my needs and protects me from daily strife,
I must admit I am amazed...
although I shouldn't be.
For this is my Lord, who created the stars and give life to each living thing,
who gives sight to the blind, hope to the helpless, and the wren his song to sing.
He has conquered evil, triumphed over death, and gives us life everlasting.
He promises strength, mercy, and grace, and forgiveness is there for the asking.
And yet, when even the simplest of prayers is answered by my loving Lord,
I must admit, I am amazed...
although I shouldn't be.
Or when I suddenly find a comforting answer there in His Holy Word,
I must admit I am amazed...
although I shouldn't be.
For what do I expect from an almighty God who holds the whole world in His hand?
How can I wonder at the answering of prayer, when all eternity evolves as He has planned?
How can I marvel at life's little joys or be in awe of His promises, unbroken,
when God, in His wisdom, created the world with just a simple word spoken?!
Still, I, in my limited comprehension of things, am left pondering each of God's gifts.
Yes, I admit, I'm amazed
Although I shouldn't be.
And though I may slowly gain understanding, bewildered eyes I uplift,
remaining amazed
when I shouldn't be.

The Bible tells of many situations where man is amazed at the works of God. His love for us, His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and His provision for all our needs are miracles that occur every day in each of our lives. Every answered prayer is an opportunity for wonder, and every second of wonder is worth an hour of praise! How can we be amazed at the answering of a prayer, when God is in control of ALL elements of life? Perhaps amazement reflects a lack of understanding, but still, isn't it wonderful! Take a moment and be amazed-- take an hour and praise Him!

"Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness." Psalm 1 50:2