“O Lord, I have heard the report of you,
and your work, O Lord, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it;
in the midst of the years make it known;
in wrath remember mercy.
God came from Teman...
His splendor covered the heavens,
and the earth was full of his praise.
His brightness was like the light;
rays flashed from his hand;
and there he veiled his power.
Before him went pestilence,
and plague followed at his heels.
He stood and measured the earth;
he looked and shook the nations;
then the eternal mountains were scattered;
the everlasting hills sank low.
His were the everlasting ways…
Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:2-6,17-18
“When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions… And Solomon answered all her questions. There was nothing hidden that he could not explain to her… She said.., ‘The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, half the greatness of your wisdom was not told me; you surpass the report that I heard.'” 2 Chronicles 9:1-2,5-6
True reports about God Almighty have an effect on people. For unbelievers, they can incite fear or curiosity, and draw with irresistible, magnetic attraction. For those in Christ, they can humble, awaken hunger and exploration, bring to awe, and drive to risky faith. The power of who God is and what He does is never static, and His word never returns void. (Joshua 2:8-11; Isaiah 55:11)
What about the reports we read from His word and learn through experience? What difference are they making in mindset and motivation? How do we practically respond? How familiar am I with God’s revelation of Himself as written in the Scriptures, and what am I doing to seek out, understand, digest, and apply His truth more? What wonder, appropriate fear, adoration, or bold faith has knowledge of Him and His bountiful deeds inspired?
What report about God’s greatness, bounty, care, and love do I proclaim? Am I quick and grateful to tell what He has taught and done for me, and to impart encouragement to others from deepening spiritual wisdom and intimacy? How is my way of living among family, neighbors, colleagues, and coworkers a visible and verbal report of God’s character, ways, and work? Does the truth I convey attract others to Christ, or distract or repel them?
“The shepherds feared and trembled
when lo, above the earth
rang out the angel chorus
that hailed our Savior’s birth.
Down in a lowly manger
the humble Christ was born,
and God sent us salvation
that blessed Christmas morn.
Go tell it on the mountain,
over the hills, and ev’rywhere;
go, tell it on the mountain
that Jesus Christ is born.” ~John Work (1872-1925)
Father, keep me collecting reports of You, and making them known with joy and clarity, to Your glory.
As the rain and snow 