Tag Archives: heaven

Like a River

14 Thursday Apr 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

You give your guests a feast
    in your house,
    and you serve a tasty drink
    that flows like a river.
The life-giving fountain
    belongs to you,
    and your light gives light
    to each of us (Psalm 36:8-9, CEV).

IMG_20140821_104818

Tay River, Perth, ON — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Today’s verse from the Psalms seems almost too beautiful to be true. It speaks of food, drink and sweet fellowship in God’s house.

You give your guests a feast in your house, and you serve a tasty drink that flows like a river. The life-giving fountain belongs to you, and your light gives light to each of us (Psalm 36:8-9, CEV).

Part of me wants to park these verses in the sweet by and by, up in heaven somewhere someday. But the context of Psalm 36 does not warrant that interpretation. In other words don’t put off till heaven what is available today.

The LORD has a feast prepared for us now in His house. He has a river of delights that we can drink from today. We have access to His life-giving fountain now. His light shines on the path set before us, so now we know the way to walk.

We are God’s guests. Let’s accept His invitation!

Response: LORD God, thank you for all the good things you have prepared for us—for me. You are so good! Meet me now in prayer through the shed blood of your Son. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you put off till heaven what is available today?

Greater Glory

26 Friday Feb 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , , , ,

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).

DSCN1676

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?

His Holy Name

15 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

, , , , ,

Celebrate and worship his holy name with all your heart (Psalm 105:3, CEV).

IMG_8130

Frosted beauty — photo by Donald Adam

Reflection

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

Here’s a quick question for you. Do you like celebrations?

If you answered, yes, then you should love being around God. He loves wholehearted celebrations. Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us of this aspect of God’s character. Celebrate and worship his holy name with all your heart (Psalm 105:3, CEV).

After telling the parable about finding the lost coin, Jesus reminds us that heaven is a place of celebration.  Jesus said, “In the same way God’s angels are happy when even one person turns to him” (Luke 15:10, CEV).

If you have turned from a life of sin to worship your holy Creator, you have a heaven full of reasons to celebrate. Why not start today?

Response: LORD God, I praise you because you found me and took me into your family. I celebrate your goodness and undeserved kindness. Amen.

Your Turn: What do you do to celebrate God’s love?