Monthly Archives: June 2016

Creative Words

20 Monday Jun 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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As soon as he spoke the world was created; at his command, the earth was formed (Psalm 33:9, CEV).

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Early Morning Sunrise, Grey Nuns Park, Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is creation.

The beauty of the natural world is astounding. The morning sunrise is an example of that beauty. Even more astonishing is the thought that the world—this grand creation—came into existence through the power of spoken words.

Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us of that truth.

As soon as he spoke the world was created; at his command, the earth was formed (Psalm 33:9, CEV).

If God’s words have such incredible power, what about our words? Do they have power too? Absolutely. We are created in the image of God and the words we speak can create a world of good or stir up the dark forces of hell. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).

Consider this. Today you have an opportunity to create a better world by the amazing power of your words.

Response: LORD God, today I want to use my tongue for good rather than lashing out in angry hurtful ways. Help me bring encouragement and positive change where needed. Amen.

Your Turn: Have your words hurt or helped someone lately?

They did not believe in God

17 Friday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalm 78, Psalms

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Reading:                                            Psalm 78

Verses 17-22

But they continued to sin against him,
rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High.
They willfully put God to the test
by demanding the food they craved.
They spoke against God;
they said, “Can God really
spread a table in the wilderness?
True, he struck the rock,
and water gushed out,
streams flowed abundantly,
but can he also give us bread?
Can he supply meat for his people?”

 When the Lord heard them, he was furious;
his fire broke out against Jacob,
and his wrath rose against Israel,
for they did not believe in God
or trust in his deliverance (NIV).

Reflection

Psalm 78 is largely an indictment against the people of Israel for their lack of faith and their rebellious ways. As the psalmist says, “They willfully put God to the test.” 

As a child I recall reading the entire book of Exodus and thinking to myself, “Wow, these people sure are dumb. How could they see God’s amazing miracles and then a few days later grumble, complain and doubt that the LORD would help them? These people are real losers!”

Lake 2 2014-11-11

The Lake, Central Park, New York, NY — photo by David Kitz

Then I grew up and had a family of my own. At times I saw amazing miracles and God’s supernatural provision. But guess what? When the next big difficulty arose, I found myself doubting that God would come through. I complained about the difficulty I was in and acted just like the people of Israel in the wilderness.

Oops! I thought I was different. I thought I was smarter than those spiritual dullards in the Old Testament. In reality my grownup faith was much weaker than my childhood faith. When real testing and temptation came, I was and still am, as susceptible to unbelief as any of the wandering Israelites in the wilderness. Faith is a gift from God—a wonder-filled gift that carries us through the hard times.

The indictment against Israel is that they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance. Do I truly believe in God and trust in his deliverance? Is my faith more than a creedal statement? Does it have legs and wings to carry me through the toughest situation? Often I am more like the rebellious children of Israel than I would like to admit. How about you? 

Response: LORD God, I humbly ask you for the gift of faith—faith to sustain me through the tough times ahead. You are my help, my salvation and my deliverer. I praise you for your faithfulness. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you have grownup faith or childlike faith? Which is better?

Perfect!

16 Thursday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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The Law of the LORD is perfect; it gives us new life. His teachings last forever, and they give wisdom to ordinary people (Psalm 19:7, CEV).

Open Bible

The Word of God — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is wisdom.

I have trouble with the word perfect. Is it possible to achieve perfection on this side of heaven?

During my days as a teacher, I could give a student 100% on a math test where right or wrong answers are not open to interpretation, but on creative writing assignments or essays I simply refused to give a student 100% even if their writing was well thought out and error free. Error free does not mean perfect. Do anyone’s thoughts on a topic encompass all wisdom and knowledge? Of course not. There is always more to learn or understand.

But…but David declared that the Law of the LORD is perfect.

The Law of the LORD is perfect; it gives us new life. His teachings last forever, and they give wisdom to ordinary people (Psalm 19:7, CEV).

The expression the Law of the LORD refers to the written Word of God. God’s written Word is perfect because it does not originate with man. Its source is in God. It comes from heaven even as Jesus came from heaven and is the perfect embodiment of the Word. See John 1:1-5. Jesus came to bring us new life and perfect wisdom.

Response: LORD God, give me a love for your written Word because in it I find wisdom from the living, eternal Word. Lord Jesus, you are the perfection that I need! Amen.

Your Turn: Are you a perfectionist? Are you good enough or do you need the perfection of Jesus?

David

15 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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David treated the people fairly
    and guided them with wisdom (Psalm 78:72, CEV).

Tomb of David Entrance - Lois Morrow

At the entrance to the Museum of the Tomb of David — photo courtesy of Lois Morrow.

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is wisdom.

Today’s verse from the Psalms tells us that David exemplified wisdom.

David treated the people fairly and guided them with wisdom (Psalm 78:72, CEV).

In yesterday’s post we learned that respect and obedience to the LORD is the first step to wisdom and good sense (Psalm 111:10). Obviously to receive such a commendation, David must have lived his life in a healthy fear and respect for the LORD. On more than one occasion David fell into sin, but when he messed up, he repented. He humbled himself and turned back to God. 

David earned this commendation because of how he treated others; he treated people fairly. David showed mercy because he had received mercy. Do we do the same?

Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  Just like David we act wisely, when we do what we pray, when we show mercy because we have received mercy.

Response: LORD God, I want to act wisely in my interactions with others. Help me to treat people fairly, even as I would want to be treated. Jesus, show me your way. Amen.

Your Turn: What does fair treatment mean for you? Does it mean getting even?

The First Step to Wisdom

14 Tuesday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth

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Respect and obey the LORD! This is the first step to wisdom and good sense. God will always be respected (Psalm 111:10, CEV).

Daisy 2016-06-06

Garden daisy display — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is wisdom.

In yesterday’s post we were reminded that the wisdom of God is expressed through His amazing creation. But what does it mean to be wise? How is wisdom expressed in our daily lives? Wisdom is knowledge and understanding in action—applied to real circumstances.

When it comes to wisdom, we all need more of it. Far too often real world wisdom is in short supply. The psalmist gives us this advice:

Respect and obey the LORD! This is the first step to wisdom and good sense. God will always be respected (Psalm 111:10, CEV).

God will always be respected by some, but will we personally respect and obey Him? Respect for God is by no means universal. It’s a choice we make. Respect is an attitude. Obedience is the action that flows from respect. Too often we tell God we love and respect Him and then proceed to disobey His commands. That’s self-deluded nonsense.

Obedience is where the rubber hits the road. Jesus said, “And you are my friends, if you obey me (John 15:14). Obeying Jesus is wisdom applied.

Response: LORD God, teach me wisdom. Teach me your commands for my daily life. Jesus, your greatest command is that we love one another. Give me your kind of love and obedience to your Father. Amen

Your Turn: Can we separate respect from obedience? Are you taking steps to wisdom?

Your Wisdom Made So Many Things

13 Monday Jun 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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Our LORD, by your wisdom you made so many things; the whole earth is covered with your living creatures (Psalm 104:24, CEV).

Always spend some time with your honey!

Monarch Butterfly — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is wisdom.

At 4:20 this morning I heard a robin sing his brilliant song to welcome the new day. Before I wrote this post, I saw a squirrel scamper across the walkway to hide a peanut in the soil beneath our lilies. The monarch butterfly in the photo above closed and then opened its wings, so I could capture its beauty in glory spread wide. As we behold all this and so much more, is it any wonder that the psalmist makes this statement:

Our LORD, by your wisdom you made so many things; the whole earth is covered with your living creatures (Psalm 104:24, CEV).

The infinite variety and diversity of God’s creatures is astounding. The word infinite is appropriate. Every year biologists add newly discovered species to the catalog of God’s creation. We are nowhere near discovering them all. Yet somehow we have the audacity to consider ourselves the superior ones—the ones who know how it all was formed.

Real wisdom knows its limitations. Real wisdom knows when to bow its head in praise.

Response: LORD God, in humility I bow before you. You are the awesome Creator whose wisdom I cannot begin to fathom. All praise belongs to you. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you amazed at God’s creation? Have we forgotten the One who set it all in motion?