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It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. Psalm 19:6 NIV
Early morning is my favorite time of day. I don’t enjoy getting out of bed, but on the occasions when I do I love to watch the eastern sky begin to lighten. If you listen carefully you will hear the beginnings of life. The soft, first chirps of the day as the birds awaken soon gives way to to joyous praise. The cool evening/night temperatures soon feel the warming of the suns first rays. A new day has begun as the earth feels the warming effects of the sun.
Up here in the north we often see frost on the ground in the cold months of the year. As the sun raises into the sky the frost melts away. As the sun rises there is a line of frost left behind, waiting to be touched by the warmth of the new day.
The power of the sun is incredible. There isn’t a single place on earth that isn’t affected by it. Whether you go to the deepest parts of the ocean or the top of the highest mountain, the sun has some effect. If you live in the frozen tundra of the north or the tropical climates of the south, you are affected by the sun. On cloudy days we may seem sad or depressed, but that’s because we don’t see the sun, not because it’s not effecting us. It’s always there.
Rise above the earth now and enter outer space. Travel billions of miles away. The light of our sun may not warm the outer reaches of our universe, but it’s light, like the light of any star, travels infinitely.
The Psalmist talks about the sun and it’s travel across our sky. He reminds us that nothing, absolutely nothing is out of reach of its warmth. The word picture he paints is one that reminds us of our savior. When Jesus rose from the grave we are told there was a great light. Some think this light was emitting from the tomb where our Lord lay. Regardless of whether that is true or not, the light of our savior has been effecting us ever since and will for all eternity.
No matter where you are in life, you aren’t out of reach of Jesus. No matter how far from home you are, he is with you. No matter how much you miss loved ones gone before you, he walks beside you. When the doctor gives bad news, his hand is on your shoulder. When you are without a job or direction, he helps you along the way.
There is no place you can go in this world to escape the effects of the sun. There is no place in this world where you can go to escape the effects of the SON! Nothing you can do or have done will ever change that. No one else can take that fact from you. Go out today and enjoy the warmth of the Son in your life.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, there are days when I feel so alone and lost. Days when I forget how much I rely on you for the daily needs as well as the crisis needs in my life. Thank you that I can never escape your presence. Amen.
They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Psalm 19:3
Go outside on a clear night. Get away from the city lights and look heavenward. See it? Stand and gaze for a few moments. Perhaps even lay down on the cool, soft carpet of grass below you. Look intently and listen. Do you hear it?
It’s the sound of the heavens. Oh, you won’t hear actual words. Angels sang to announce Jesus’ birth, but there haven’t been many heavenly choirs. This sound is different because this sound is not distinguishable to the human ear.
Take a look at their song though. Those stars over there? They’re the Baptist stars. Staunch & stoic they stand silent in the night boldly proclaiming the truth of the creation and the creator. The Pentecostal stars are over there. They’re the ones shining brightly and seem to dance in their heavenly place against the black backdrop. The Lutheran stars are off to the left (not sure if they are having a pot luck or not).
The Spanish speaking stars are over there right next to the English speaking stars. The French speaking stars are next and so on down the line.
You may be thinking, “What sky is he looking at?” You may be wondering what color the grass is in my world as well.
You’d be right of course. You see, all of heavens speak one language. Stars, planets, asteroids, moons and all the other celestial bodies join in perfect harmony to praise their creator. We humans have a hard time understanding each other. We have a difficult time dealing with people from different economic, cultural or religious backgrounds. But when we look at outer space even the atheist stands in awe at its complexity and enormity.
The language of heaven is a language of praise and unity. It’s a language that is understood by all and heard by none. Not a single star needs to speak praise for the creator. It simply shines, and all its buddies join in.
What would our world be like if we as Christ-followers shone in unity and as brightly as the stars you see as we lay here in the grass looking up at them? Would anyone be able to doubt the power and majesty of our Creator? I think not.
The Psalmist writes, “The Heavens declare the glory of God. They do it without seminary training. They do it without allegiance to any organized group. The heavens declare God’s greatness in silence, yet it’s a message we all can hear and understand. Live in peace and unity. Proclaim God’s glory without saying a single word by living a life pleasing to God.
PRAYER: I stand in awe of your majesty my Lord. I confess that we as your creations have been pulled apart by all sorts of things that don’t really matter. Empower us by your Spirit to shine forth to the world. Amen.
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)
Accentuate the positive!
That phrase is a ‘catch word’ of sorts in marketing. It’s a sound principle that encourages those in business of any sort to evaluate what is the most important and valuable thing you have to offer.
Competition in this economy is brutal. Regardless of what industry you are in, there is someone else trying to steal a part of your market. The best strategy to take in this situation is to evaluate your strengths and capitalize on them. This gives you your best chance of success. Do the best you can in your areas of strength. Worry more about what you can do and less about your weaknesses.
The same philosophy is true in our personal lives. It’s easy to get caught up in self-destructive attitudes and, as a result, take yourself ‘out of the game’.
Statements such as, “If I didn’t have so much debt” or “If I hadn’t gotten divorced” or “If he hadn’t hurt me” or “That church destroyed my faith” do little to help your opinion of yourself and shackle you to an attitude of failure.
The books written by the Apostle Peter were really letters written to a group of believers who may have lived in the worst period of oppression and persecution the Church has ever known. They were being beaten, had their homes taken from them, were being portrayed as stupid and evil and were being killed for their faith.
The dangerous conditions must have been devastating and demoralizing for those early believers. Yet in the midst of their agony Peter challenges them to do everything they do in the strength that God provides. That little phrase, “in the strength God provides” is the key to our being able to survive the turmoil life hands us.
It’s not our strength that will see us through. It’s not a perfect, holy past that will grow our faith. It’s not a stable marriage that will give us opportunities to see God work. It’s not a strong financial base that will allow us to do great things for God. Our ability to speak, write, fix things, build relationships or amass a fortune may impress people, but it won’t impress God and it won’t lead us to make eternal differences in our lives.
Our weaknesses won’t thwart us; our strengths won’t give us an advantage, the only thing that will really make a difference in our world is allowing God’s strength to work within us. We aren’t asked to go beyond our ability, we are only asked to live up to it. Our ability and God’s strength. An undefeatable combination.
PRAYER: Lord I thank you for the promise that your power is all I really need to do your work. You have empowered me with many gifts and abilities. Please help my gifts to be open for your power so you can work through them. Amen
So people receive God’s promise by having faith. This happens so the promise can be a free gift. Then all of Abraham’s children can have that promise. It is not only for those who live under the law of Moses but for anyone who lives with faith like that of Abraham, who is the father of us all. Romans 4:16 (NCV)
Usually people refer to ‘Cheap Grace’ as grace the people take advantage of. A college professor once said to me, “I have no patience for people who go out and sin because ‘they can ask forgiveness later. It cheapens what Jesus did on the cross.”
I agree with him somewhat of course. Paul says ‘shall we go on sinning so grace might increase?” The answer of course is a resounding NO! As Christ-followers we would never think it’s okay to sin so that we get to ask forgiveness. That’s a preposterous idea!
But there is a more subtle way we cheapen grace. It’s seen every week in our churches, in our families, in Bible Studies, retreats and conferences across the world.
Not all of us are guilty of course, but cheap grace sneaks in the cracks when we least notice it. Grace is cheapened when we measure our Spiritual Maturity by our Spiritual Activity. It’s as though we believe that the more we read the Bible and the more we go to church or Bible Studies, the more God will love us.
Abraham was not a perfect man. He wasn’t a very good husband. He wasn’t a very good father. He wasn’t a good boss. His leadership skills were lacking overall. Still, he was God’s friend. Why? Abraham believed God and God’s promises and because of that he was considered faithful. His faith is what saved him, not his works.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s important to read and study God’s word because it contains the words of life and liberty. It’s vital that we, as Christ-followers, talk with our Heavenly Father on a regular basis. Strength in living comes as we fellowship with the body. But those activities won’t bring ‘more of grace to you’; they will simply make you more aware of the grace available to you.
There’s an old gospel chorus that goes something like this, “Every promise in the book is mine, every chapter, every verse, every line. All the blessings of His love divine. Every promise in the book is mine.” Those promises don’t come because of anything I’ve done. The promises given me are completely because of what Jesus did for me on the cross.
Don’t cheapen God’s grace for you by adding all sorts of activity requirements. You have all you need in Jesus.
PRAYER: Lord I have to admit I get a little proud of myself at times. I look at all the things I do for the church, all the songs I sing to you, all the times I proclaim your word. I confess that at times I feel these actions make me more spiritual. I thank you that I have all I need in Jesus. Amen.
It is God Who covers me with strength and makes my way perfect. Psalm 18:32 (NLV)
The wild fire roared through the farmstead destroying every thing in its path. The storm of flames left behind the charred remains of the farmer’s livestock, his home and his out buildings. Although his family was saved, his entire livelihood was gone.
As he shuffled through the dust and ashes he looked towards a still smoke-filled sky. “Show me one sign that you want me to continue on, “He prayed to his God. As he continued on his foot kicked against a blackened lump in the dust. What turned out to be the charred remains of a hen skittered across the ground and then flipped over. A small, yellow chick struggled from the midst of the ashes of its dead mother.
“I have covered you with my strength” the young farmer heard almost audibly. His sign delivered, he looked again at the farmyard and began to think of his future, a future build on God’s protection.
God’s protection doesn’t always come to us in a physical way. Indeed, all our senses perceive can be taken from us in a flash. But His strength goes beyond our senses. His strength goes beyond our understanding.
The clothing of the Middle Eastern person in Biblical times was never complete without a girdle, a piece of clothing that offered strength to the loins as they walked the wilderness paths. It kept them physically protected, kept their robes in place and offered a place for a sword if necessary.
This is the picture the Psalmist gives us in Psalm 18. Like the chicken that protected its young, God’s protection completely engulfs us. The rest of the world as we know it may fall away. All we hope for may be dashed upon the rocks. But God’s protection goes beyond whatever is attacking you today.
Regardless of how bad things seem now. No matter how much desolation, hopelessness and devastation you may see right now in your finances, your relationships or your health remember that your strength was never intended to see you through. Overcoming the obstacles of life always comes from God’s strength.
The young farmer could have looked out over his fire-swept farm and given up. But he sought one small sign, a struggling, chirping chick and from that rebuilt his farm as well as his faith in an almighty, protecting God.
PRAYER: Father, it’s hard to see positive things in the midst of all the trials of my life. Thank you for your promise of protection. Gird me with your strength so that the battles of my life will not overcome me. Amen
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 