Author: astherainandsnow

“Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.”
The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.” Psalm 1:1-3

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-20

Many are the admonitions to tend to roots to determine fruit in a Christian’s life. Daily dealings and interactions all make impressions, but it is the source of our thoughts and inclinations that determine output. Beware, warns our Lord, the counsel and company of those who would steer you astray, and stay true to My word if you want to flourish. Root yourself in goodness and truth.

Behavior modification often fails over the long term because we do not identify and address the cause of wayward action. Artificial polish, cursory remorse, or practiced rote responses seem to work temporarily, but are seldom genuine and lasting. They will not stand if the root is unclean. Unless we are willing to do the hard work of digging and admitting the insecurity, pride, jealousy, or resentment that foment wayward impulses, we will never successfully change behavior.

When did I last really listen to and observe myself? Do I hear incessant complaints, the belittling of others, even loved ones, or inflating of myself? What about my tone of voice- does it portray grace and kindness, or bother or impatience? Am I aware of my facial expressions of disdain, dislike, or disapproval? How often do I make choices preferring my agenda and needs over others’? Is my driving motive to look good myself, or to help another succeed? Am I always pompously or stubbornly the expert, or do I give others the benefit of the doubt and make the effort to understand? Have I probed why I attempt to elevate myself while putting another down, or need to have the last word?

The fruit displayed in these areas reveal the health of our roots. It serves God’s people well to explore why we speak and behave as we do, and surrender our deepest part to Him. Only when He has full sway in our root system can we flourish to His glory.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 139:23-24

Lord, keep my roots pure and strong in You, so I bear abundantly Your name and goodness.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets:
‘I will feed them with bitter food
    and give them poisoned water to drink,
for from [them]
    ungodliness has gone out into all the land.’

“’Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, “It shall be well with you”; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, “No disaster shall come upon you.”’

“For who among them has stood in the council of the Lord
    to see and to hear his word,
    or who has paid attention to his word and listened?
Behold, the storm of the Lord!
    Wrath has gone forth…

“’I did not send the prophets,
    yet they ran;
I did not speak to them,
    yet they prophesied.
But if they had stood in my council,
    they would have proclaimed my words to my people,
and turned them from their evil way,
    and from the evil of their deeds.

“’Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away?  Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord…  Let him who has my word speak my word faithfully… I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who steal my words from one another… I am against the prophets who use their tongues and declare, ‘declares the Lord.’ I am against those who prophesy lying dreams and… lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:15-24,28,30-32

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

God Almighty declared strong words through His good prophet to denounce evil ones. Ungodly prophets who issued misleading visions, vain promises, and false condonations spoke to their own detriment and judgment. If only they had stood in His council, they might have stemmed the tide of mistrust and wickedness. But they sold themselves out to the father of lies and recklessly led people astray. Jeremiah also took up the mantle of proclamation, but in humble obedience to God’s call, spoke forth only His truth. (John 8:44)

We have a plethora of choices today when it comes to messages to take in and heed. In the flesh, we listen to what we agree with and want to hear, looking for approval. Ofttimes ignorant of what God says, we act on our gut, or garner opinions from those with whom we concur, and never base an opinion or align our decision with the Bible. If only we stood in God’s council, we might be assured of His perfect and pleasing will. (Romans 12:2; 2 Timothy 4:3-5)

What lies have we been believing, and repeating? What habits of reading, chatter, or media need we alter to know God’s Word better? How has His council helped us, and where do we need it today?

Lord, fix me in Your council so I believe and proclaim only Your truth.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
    whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water,
    that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
    for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
    for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

“Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3

“And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47:12

The simile utilized by prophets and psalmist to describe the individual who delights in and trusts the Lord attracts every attentive, thirsty soul. Water meant life, streams the lifeline for the eastern dweller. The image of strong roots entrenched alongside fresh flowing water growing trunks high and branching loftily with green leaves and clustered with fruit stimulated a verdant longing. This flourishing was God’s original intent planted in the heart of man. (Genesis 1:27-29; 2:8-14)

In the present day, nations and peoples have disparate goals and means to achieve them. Independent or tied to families, aspirations and ambition often insert themselves into the daily press to take precedence over deeper spiritual nurture. With plans for preparedness and success, we get caught up in the tangible and urgent.

Only long drafts of God’s living water can nourish souls, inform plans, and satisfy passions. His streams of mercy, truth, and life bear hidden and visible fruit in attitude, demeanor, and witness. Do we take advantage? (John 4:13-14; 7:38)

On what do we meditate? Whose counsel do we value and let guide our hours? What time and consistency are we taking to settle and spread hearty spiritual roots? When are we soaking in God’s word to bear seasonal fruit, to trust through fallow times and drought? The press of immediate needs and impatient wants can easily choke out the disciplines that matter most and yield the greatest eternal benefit and productivity.

“Blessed is the man that never
Doth in godless counsel meet;
Nor in sinners’ way stands ever,
Nor sits in the scorner’s seat,
But on God’s all-perfect law
Meditates with holy awe;
Day and night he delves for treasure
In the Word–’tis all his pleasure.

As a tree that has been planted
By the flowing waters fair,
In its season e’er is granted
Fruits and foliage to bear;
So is he, the righteous, seen
Ever fruitful, ever green,
And his leaf shall wither never,
All he does shall prosper ever.” ~Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676)

Father, keep me firmly planted by and issuing fruit from Your streams that never run dry, to Your praise.

“The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.” Mark 6:30-34

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-31

“I have given them your word… I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” John 17:14-18

The Lord Jesus’s short public ministry was efficient and purposeful, marked by long days and many miles. Crowds, conversations, and challenges met Him at every turn. He had no place to lay His head, yet regularly found solace and strength in His Heavenly Father, sufficient for the moments thereof. He also taught and demonstrated for His followers how to handle pressure with prayer and wise planning. Peace should and could be carried into every situation, because His presence was a constant they could trust. (Deuteronomy 33:25; Matthew 8:20; Mark 6:35-46,48-51)

The Lord knows us inside out and all around, and understands our every bite and press of tension, burden, and time crunch. He invites us to find rest and sustenance in Him and His word through regular time in quiet and rest in His promises. He meets us in the turning world with physical stamina, spiritual insight, supernatural nourishment, and encouragement when we look to Him. His compassion and love embrace every restless soul.

What present demands and needs swirl about me, constantly threatening to upset my peace or topple my resolve? Do I feel alone, put-upon, or resentful in my responsibilities, stressed by the demands I must answer? What carelessness, time-wasters, and sloth have I allowed to rob necessary time and attention with my Lord?

How am I aligning daily priorities with the Lord’s ready supply? Where do I seek counsel for handling pressure? What changes can I make to habit and schedule to ensure the desolate place and easy yoke?

What frenzy will I bring Jesus today? He knows and will see me through every crush and crowd. By prayer and with thanksgiving, will I turn over my cares and conundrums to His wisdom, care, and keeping? (Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7)

Lord, help me trust You with all my fuss and frenzy so Your peace abides, Your will is furthered, and Your glory seen.

“So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 34:5

“Fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord… Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15

“When Joshua dismissed the people, the people of Israel went each to his inheritance to take possession of the land. And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the Lord had done for Israel. Joshua… died at the age of 110 years…. And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done.

“And [they] did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals. They abandoned the Lord… who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods.” Judges 2:6-8,10-12a

“David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep.” Acts 13:36

Moses faithfully served the Lord all his days. His successor Joshua followed suit, leading Israel to conquer and take possession of Canaan. Later, David served the Lord’s purpose with his years. God’s people over time and times made choices that revealed their true masters and determined their legacies. Each made daily choices whom to serve, and by willful idolatry their memories were for naught, or by grace their lives were counted in service of their King. Joshua’s challenge puts the onus on every individual child of God for the future course of their lives. (Deuteronomy 34:7-12)

God gives us freedom to choose how to spend our time and resources. Opportunities abound for influential decisions, often with no one option being clearly right. But the choice of who is Master and Lord of our lives is primary, and bears vitally on all other choices. Why we do what we do, what we prioritize, whom we value and spend time with, how we speak and interact, where we go and allocate expenses, all indicate whom we serve: self, or the Sovereign.

Many advise to set goals with specific steps. Make a long-term plan, and fix short-term marks that help accomplish it. It is prudent and helpful to set about forward motion with thought and care. But the most important determination for any ambition is that of the heart’s devotion. If the Lord’s honor is not foremost, and His will is not being served with our plans, our efforts are in vain.

What do my motives reveal about my heart’s throne? Do my actions betray that I serve my wants and impulses, or the Lord’s word and will? If the Spirit convicts of wayward desires and unhealthy ambition, what will I do about them? What practical steps can I take to transfer allegiance and devotion from small foreign gods to my Lord of lords? Whom will I serve this day?

Lord, may I serve You first and only, with glad abandon, all my days.

“An angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza…’ And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.  The Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over and join this chariot.’ So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah and asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’  He said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him… 

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?’ And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.”

“Saul,.. breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked… if he… might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he went on his way, approach[ing] Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting…’ And… something like scales fell from his eyes… Then he rose and was baptized.” Acts 8:26-31,35-38; 9:1-5,18

Time and again, the Lord met individuals along their way to do marvelous work. As they traveled with one intent, He interrupted and fulfilled a higher, heavenly one. They went about their temporal days, and He went about His eternal plans. There was no escaping the Lord’s broad and deep and often unexpectedly transformative purposes.

It is true and borne out in daily life, that man makes his plans yet the Lord directs his steps. We can set off in one direction with a plotted destination, and the Lord jolts us with an unexpected detour and turns us toward something completely different so His greater will is accomplished. Our detailed itinerary plus the Lord’s interruption equals a whole new agenda. He reveals Himself and alters our course through surprising details along the way to teach eternal lessons. (Proverbs 16:9)

How often do we set about our intentions and come face-to-face with the unexpected? Are we open to learning new facets of His character, sensitive to conviction, resilient to changes of practical and spiritual direction? What established patterns or attitudes might He want to transform?

As we tick through our schedules, how receptive are we to divine interruptions? How willing are we to explore the why and what He wants to accomplish? Looking back, what changes of heart and direction has He maneuvered as we’ve gone about what we thought was the good way? How can we be better prepared to welcome His messing with our plans in order to accomplish His?

Lord, help me welcome Your interspersed revelations along my daily road, and respond with gratitude, obedience, and praise.

“Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord..; and they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the Lord to anger. They forsook the Lord and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies… Wherever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for calamity, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn… And they were greatly distressed.

“Nevertheless, the Lord raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them… When the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them. And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly, by following other gods, to serve them and bow down to them. They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way…

“So the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God, and served the Baals and Asherahs. Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel… When Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer.” Judges 2:11-16,18-19; 3:7-9

The Lord God had settled Israel in their promised land, working through His godly servant Joshua to lead them in both physical and spiritual conquest. He’d provided and protected and prepared. Yet after Joshua’s death, His people turned after lesser gods, whoring themselves to the heathen nations remaining and intended to prove their faith and commitment. So God gave consequence as He’d pledged, and they in misery began a yin-yang of need and taking. Theirs was the repeated fault, God’s the merciful favor. (Joshua 24:12-22; Judges 2:1-5)

It is fallen human nature that sees ourselves as good, deserving of lavish blessings. Tangled in ongoing comparisons, we expect to get what we want and for things to go our way. We deem God a dispensary for passions and wishes and a rewarder of decent efforts. We see bounty as our good fortune, and destruction and suffering as God’s fault, when actually, the opposite is true. Since Eden and in love, God set in motion a perfect pattern of choice and consequence, and perpetuates it by His righteous character. Harm and misery are the natural effect of sin. (Genesis 2:15-17; 1 Corinthians 4:7; James 1:17)

We might earn certain earthly rewards, but contribute nothing to heavenly favor. The agonies in this world were not God’s original plan, but are the result of human sin. Where have I distorted His character through a lack of self-introspection or rashly blaming Him? Do I call God capricious but not myself corrupt? When do I regularly bow before His excellence and grace to confess my sins (not others’) as an affront to His holiness? When will I take ownership for my part of suffered consequences, confessing personal fault and imploring His forgiveness? In Christ, covered by grace and upheld by the promise of glory, we can enjoy lives of favor and fullness.

Lord, purify me in mercy so I glorify You forever.

“Therefore, be very strong to keep and do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of… their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day. For the Lord has driven out before you great and strong nations… One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised. Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God. For if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you, but they shall be a snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good ground that the Lord your God has given you.”

“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served.., and serve the Lord… Choose this day whom you will serve.” Joshua 23:6-13; 24:14-15

In all Joshua’s godly example and encouragement, he understood the lure and trap of loves foreign to God and His ways. He would not commend God’s people without dire warning of potential downfall, because the pride of victory would always be peppered with the pull of temptation. With every new God-given possession came allure to possess for wrong reasons. They would always face wayward enticements, so there must always be wholehearted commitment to keep the Lord God as first and supreme love. (Revelation 2:4)

Consider the vivid description of the attack and destructiveness of foreign loves. A snare clutches and entangles body, emotion, and spiritual progress. Traps snap at the softest touch, and are difficult, if not impossible, to extricate ourselves from once we’ve been caught. A whip on your sides will sting and goad you forward, farther and faster into enemy clutches whether against your will or not. Thorns in eyes scratch, distort, and disable clear vision while inflicting pain. Would we really choose these if we were fully aware of the consequences?

The challenge is keeping our head when foreign gods come calling. They appear harmless, are often attractive, and magnetically entice our fallen nature. They never reveal coming addiction, turmoil, and ruin. But the Lord issues warning, prepares us by His strong word, and equips us with His Spirit to beware and be vigilant, and victorious. Which way will we choose? (Genesis 3:1-6; 1 Kings 11:4; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Philippians 4:13)

Do we lip-serve ‘far be it from me to forsake the Lord,’ yet serve other gods with interest, time, and affection? What commitment have we made, and what will we put away to ensure its keeping? How regularly do we recount His deeds on our behalf, with thanksgiving? How can we reinforce true and bold devotion to Him? Whom will we come alongside to remain faithful together? (Joshua 24:14-18,23-24)

Lord God, take and keep my whole heart for only You, to love and serve You alone.

“‘Return, faithless Israel,
declares the Lord.
I will not look on you in anger,
    for I am merciful..;
I will not be angry forever.
Only acknowledge your guilt,
    that you rebelled against the Lord your God
and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree,
    and that you have not obeyed my voice,
declares the Lord.
Return, O faithless children,
declares the Lord;
    for I am your master;
I will take you, one from a city and two from a family,
    and I will bring you to Zion.

“If you return, O Israel,
declares the Lord,
    to me you should return.
If you remove your detestable things from my presence,
    and do not waver,
and if you swear, ‘As the Lord lives,’
    in truth, in justice, and in righteousness,
then nations shall bless themselves in him,
    and in him shall they glory.”

“Break up your fallow ground,
    and sow not among thorns.
Circumcise yourselves to the Lord;
    remove the foreskin of your hearts,
    O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem;
lest my wrath go forth like fire,
    and burn with none to quench it,
    because of the evil of your deeds…

“O Jerusalem, wash your heart from evil,
    that you may be saved.
How long shall your wicked thoughts
    lodge within you?” Jeremiah 3:12-14; 4:1-4,14

The merciful Lord extends invitation after invitation to His fickle, faithless people. Open-armed, clear, but never pushy, He offers, “Répondez, s’il vous plaît,” “respond if you please.” He holds anger and mercy, judgment and forgiveness, wrath and salvation. He has given Himself on our behalf so we can give ourselves to Him. O, He cries, return, wash, be saved!

But so often the rebel heart is not pleased to respond. We have scattered our favors, leaving nothing for pure devotion. We hold on to detestable things like prurient entertainment, greed, and resentments. We put off tending our fallow hearts because we’re too busy cultivating materialism, gossip, or self-interest. We neglect responding because we are not ready to give up the fleeting pleasures of sin, and foolishly think we’ll have time later. (Matthew 25:1-12; Hebrews 11:24-25)

Where have we given space for wicked thoughts to lodge? How often are we yielding space to shame, superiority, bitterness, pride? What causes divided attention and scattered affections? Do we make mild efforts to adjust our priorities and ‘improve’ behavior, but never acknowledge our guilt to God Himself? (Psalm 86:11)

When will we wake up and take seriously the condition of our spiritual lives, and return in full to the Lord? Do we need to filter our input, change habits, put away foreign gods? How will we respond to the Lord’s beckoning love? (Zechariah 1:3; Malachi 3:7)

Ah, what freedom we eschew when we fail to R.S.V.P to Him! What joys we miss when we ignore (and thus regret) His invitation to return! Faithless can become faithful, the wanderer settled, the guilty clean! The empty glories of this world can be replaced by the substantial glory of God! Why, O why, do we put Him off?

“‘Yet even now,’ declares the Lord,
    ‘return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, weeping, and mourning;
    rend your hearts and not your garments.’
Return to the Lord your God,
    for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.” Joel 2:12-13

Lord, keep me willing to respond in full to Your every call.

“Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
    praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
    praise him, all his hosts!

Praise him, sun and moon,
    praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
    and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord!
    For he commanded and they were created.
And he established them forever and ever;
    he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth,
    you great sea creatures and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and mist,
    stormy wind fulfilling his word!

Mountains and all hills,
    fruit trees and all cedars!
Beasts and all livestock,
    creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples,
    princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and maidens together,
    old men and children!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
    for his name alone is exalted;
    his majesty is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
    praise for all his saints,
    for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the Lord!” Psalm 148

Stars twinkle shine, clouds swell with water, fire and hail, snow and mist and stormy winds all fulfill God’s creating word. The Lord God has designed all things to praise Him, to reflect and resound with His glory. Angels, rulers, maidens, creatures, young and old, let them praise on the hills, among trees, in the air. Moments and life and breath are gifts to be spent in His exaltation! (Psalm 19:1)

This is a lofty calling! Burrowing in the necessities of daily duty can steal us away from our higher purpose, while the Lord intends they not be separate. Determined to be excellent, thorough, pleasing, we exhaust resources to achieve and complete many things here below without thought for how they reflect our Maker. The Creator beckons. ‘Pause and praise! Inhale my grace! Behold My beauty! Listen to creation’s song! Do this and everything for Me!’

What is it I was made to do? What distinct role do I play in my workplace, my church? What influence do I have in my home and community? Each of these is a position and place to praise the Lord and lift high His name. Each of these is an outlet for expressing joy and gratitude to the One who assigned my post for eternal purpose. How will I exalt God’s name and majesty where He has placed me this day?

How can I make this psalm my personal song? What efforts will I entrust to Him so He is noticed? How can my work and words magnify His attributes?

“O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread thro’ all the earth abroad
the honors of your name.

To God all glory, praise, and love
be now and ever given
by saints below and saints above,
the Church in earth and heaven.” ~Charles Wesley (1739)

Worthy Lord, may my demeanor, attitudes, words, and actions praise Your name and reflect Your loveliness, so You are sought and adored.