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When will I see your face?
Petrie Island at sunset — photo by David Kitz
He spoke and it came to be
18 Sunday Sep 2016
Posted in Psalms, Sunday's Psalm
Tag Archives: creation
With all my heart
03 Sunday Jul 2016
Posted in Psalms, Sunday's Psalm
He Rules the Whole Creation
26 Sunday Jun 2016
Posted in Psalms, Sunday's Psalm
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Central Park, New York, NY — photo by David Kitz
God has set up his kingdom
in heaven,
and he rules
the whole creation.
(Psalm 103:19, CEV)
Creative Words
20 Monday Jun 2016
Posted in Monday Meditation, Psalms
As soon as he spoke the world was created; at his command, the earth was formed (Psalm 33:9, CEV).
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?
Your Wisdom Made So Many Things
13 Monday Jun 2016
Posted in Monday Meditation, Psalms
Our LORD, by your wisdom you made so many things; the whole earth is covered with your living creatures (Psalm 104:24, CEV).
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?
Remembered Wonders
20 Wednesday Apr 2016
Posted in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms
Remember his miracles and all his wonders and his fair decisions (Psalm 105:5, CEV).
Dragonfly – photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is remembering.
Not all of us have experienced personal miracles—clearly identifiable, direct interventions of God in our lives. But I believe we have all experienced wonders. When I look at the photo of the dragonfly above, I am looking at a wonder. The gossamer transparent wings are a marvel. The vibrant colors are spectacular. It’s agility in flight is amazing to behold. If God created only one insect like this it would be wonderful, but our world is filled with a variety of diverse life forms that are simply astonishing.
Is it any wonder then that the psalmist gives us this advice?
Remember his miracles and all his wonders and his fair decisions (Psalm 105:5, CEV).
We are surrounded by God’s wonders. We simply need to open our eyes to them. How sad it is when we lose an appreciation for the beauty and awe in God’s creation.
Response: LORD God, awaken me to the beauty in your creation around me. Give me young eyes and an eager mind to grasp how wonderful you are. Amen.
Your Turn: Do you see and appreciate God’s wonders in nature? Reflect on a time when God’s miracles and wonders made a strong impression on you.
Greater Glory
26 Friday Feb 2016
Posted in Friday's Focus, Psalms
All creation, come praise the name of the LORD. Praise his name alone. The glory of God is greater than heaven and earth (Psalm 148:13, CEV).
Autumn Splendor, Gatineau Park – photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is glory.
There’s a rather common saying: The sum is greater than its parts. While that may not be strictly correct in mathematics, it makes perfect sense in real life experience. The full picture is so much better than segments seen in sequence.
If I divided the autumn picture above into six equal portions, and showed you them sequentially, they would not have the same impact as the entire picture seen as a whole.
In the same way, our picture of the glory of God is like many small snapshots. I am not sure we could handle the full glory of God, if it was revealed to us. But today’s verse from the Psalms calls us to see that greater sum.
All creation, [me included] come praise the name of the LORD. Praise his name alone. The glory of God is greater than heaven and earth (Psalm 148:13, CEV).
Response: LORD God, let me catch glimpses of your glory today, but remind me too that you are so much bigger than I can think or even imagine. You are an awesome God! Amen.
Your Turn: Do you think your picture of God is too small?
From the Ends of the Earth
17 Thursday Sep 2015
Reading: Psalm 61
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.
Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
For you, God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
Increase the days of the king’s life,
his years for many generations.
May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;
appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.
Then I will ever sing in praise of your name
and fulfill my vows day after day (NIV).
Reflection
When I reflect on Psalm 61, it’s about distance—distance to God. There’s an old saying that goes like this, “If at one time you were close to God, but now He is far away, who is the one who moved?”
Petrie Island, ON — David Kitz
As is so often the case, this psalm begins with David crying out to God. It would seem David is not at home. He is calling out from the ends of the earth. From biblical history we know that David was not a world traveller. He never ventured beyond the traditional territory of Israel, so in this psalm where exactly are the ends of the earth?
If I have offended my wife and the issue has not been resolved, we can be sleeping in the same bed, but there is a distance between us. Though she is physically present there is a gulf between us. Spiritually and emotionally we are on opposite sides of the planet.
The same can be true of our relationship with God. God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth is always close at hand. He is present and evident in His creation. But beyond that He has promised to dwell within every believer. We have Jesus’ promise on this. “The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don’t see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you” (John 14:17 CEV).
That means we can call out to God with confidence. He is more than nearby; He is within us helping to form the words of our prayers. We can draw close. David reminds us that we can take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
Response: LORD God, help me to draw near to you. Thank you for the indwelling Holy Spirit. Amen.
Your Turn: What creates distance between you and God? What draws you close?
Are you drinking from the River of Delights?
05 Tuesday Aug 2014
Reading: Psalm 36
(Verses 5-9)
Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
You, LORD, preserve both people and animals.
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light. (NIV)
Reflection
As mentioned in my previous post, Psalm 36 is a psalm of contrasts. David compares the wickedness of man with the amazing goodness of God. The opening portion of Psalm 36 touches on the depravity of man. In today’s reading we behold the awesome love and kindness of God.
Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. The beautiful poetry of those words sends me off on a Rocky Mountain high.
Banff-Lake Louise Tourism
God’s love is reflected in the beauty of his creation. He nestled us into a world of incredible beauty and variety. From the grandeur of the mountains to the minute sea fauna, God is there—sustaining all—reigning over all. You, LORD, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
Park Walk –David Kitz
God’s unfailing love stands in sharp contrast to man’s rapacious capacity for hate and destruction. We glory in war, death and bloodshed as though these are great accomplishments, when in fact they are a failure in love and forgiveness—the attributes of God. Yet despite these failures God showers us with His love and goodness. People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.
It is worth noting that God is the source of the river of delights. Just as any good father enjoys bringing pleasure to his children, so too our Heavenly Father delights in bringing joy to us. He is not stingy in His love, but overflowing with generosity, in many cases providing more than we can handle.
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. The LORD is the author and source of all life. “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day” (Genesis 1:31). Only in Him and through Him do we see the light of day and the light of life. To God be praise forever more!
Response: LORD God, thank you, thank you, thank you for your great love and faithfulness to me. Let your light shine in me and through me today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Your Turn: Have you been drinking from God’s river of delights?
I love the Psalms 