I will praise Him!
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Winter glory, Grey Nuns Park, Ottawa, ON — photo by David Kitz
Holy Ways
18 Saturday Feb 2017
Posted in Psalms, Saturday's Psalm
Tag Archives: miracles
Wonder Worker
27 Wednesday Jul 2016
Posted in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms
I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart and tell about the wonders you have worked (Psalm 9:1, CEV).
Moonlight on Lake Ontario — photo courtesy of Eric E. Wright
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is wonders.
Has God worked wonders in your life? God certainly has worked wonders when we consider the glories of creation. But has God worked wonders for you personally. Has He answered your prayers in marvelous or miraculous ways?
David, who wrote this psalm, certainly had many good reasons to praise the LORD. Notice his exuberant call to worship:
I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart and tell about the wonders you have worked (Psalm 9:1, CEV).
God was with the shepherd boy David as he slew a lion and a bear. Later God was with him as he took down the fearsome giant Goliath. Then David went on to win battle after battle against the Philistines. As David stepped forward in faith, the LORD was working wonders on his behalf.
On a personal level we can’t fully know the wonders of God until we take steps of faith—risky steps of faith. Jesus invited Peter to step out of a boat and onto the stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee. Peter experienced the wonders of God as he took those few hesitant steps. Will we dare to do the same if Jesus calls us?
Response: LORD God, give me faith to see you as you are—a wonder worker. You have done and continue to great and marvelous things. Help me to hear your voice and follow you. Amen.
Your Turn: Has the Lord worked a wonder in your life?
I Will Remember Your Miracles
20 Friday May 2016
Tags
faith, God, meditation, miracles, remember, remembering, Suffering
Reading: Psalm 77
Verses 9-15
Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph (NIV).
Reflection
Psalm 77 began with the psalmist in a state of anguish approaching despair. He was filled with questions for the LORD—questions but no answers. This brings us to our reading for today. After pouring out his complaint, the psalmist recalls the mighty works of the LORD.
“To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Garden peony — photo by David Kitz
When in doubt, remember. In a time of suffering, remember. When troubles assail from every side, remember. What should we remember? Remember the God who performs miracles. Remember that He is your personal redeemer. The blood Jesus shed was for you. The resurrection he accomplished was for you. The forgiveness he offers is for you.
During trying times, I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.
Our faith isn’t tested and purified in the good times while the choir sings sweetly in the background. Faith is tested and purified in the furnace of affliction. There’s no lineup of volunteers signing up for affliction. The gospel that is often presented today is branded as affliction-free. But Jesus gave no such promise. He promised persecution to those who leave all to follow him (Mark 10:29-31).
Paul, the apostle, makes this assertion: We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (Romans 5:3-5).
As you face difficult times, reflect on the ever-present miracle working power of God.
Response: LORD God, you are at work on my behalf even when I can’t see it. I believe in you, the miracle-working God. May my meditation center on you and your word, because your word brings light. Amen.
Your Turn: Does God have your attention when you are in trouble or pain?
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.
Remembering Miracles
18 Monday Apr 2016
Posted in Monday Meditation, Psalms
Our LORD, I will remember the things you have done, your miracles of long ago (Psalm 77:11, CEV).
Shine in me – photo courtesy of Donald Adam
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is remembering.
I am by nature a skeptic. Faith does not come to me easily; I struggle with it. I am the sort of person who demands proof. Thomas, the doubter, and I are good friends. But when miracles happen, they grab my attention. When they happen to me personally, I am all ears, so today’s verse from the Psalms has special meaning for me.
Our LORD, I will remember the things you have done, your miracles of long ago (Psalm 77:11, CEV).
For seven years as a young man I suffered from chronic pain in my left knee. I had arthroscopic surgery, cortisone shots, and extensive physiotherapy. I frequently asked for prayer. Nothing brought lasting relief. Then at an all-night prayer meeting something happened. I went home with a sore knee but when I awoke the next morning I was completely pain free. It was miraculous–physically and spiritually transformational.
God’s miracles are worth remembering. They instill hope for today and faith for the future.
Response: LORD God, thank you for your past interventions in my life. They have brought me close to you. As I recall those times fill me with faith in you for today. Amen.
Your Turn: Have you experienced a miracle in your life?
Remembering
10 Wednesday Feb 2016
Posted in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms
When our ancestors were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea (Psalm 106:7, NIV).
Distant Lighthouse – Photo courtesy of Eric E. Wright
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is kindness.
A kindness remembered is like fresh water to a thirsty soul. It brings a smile to the heart and the face. Pause for a moment to recall when someone was especially kind to you. Are you smiling as you think those thoughts?
Now let’s take a moment to fix our thoughts on God. Are there moments when God showed great kindness to you? God did miracles for the sake of His people when they were enslaved in Egypt. Has God done any miracles for you?
If we reflect on instances when God has been kind to us, I believe something begins to change inside us. Our rebellious, quarrelsome nature retreats to the back corner and in its place thanksgiving comes to the fore.
Kindness begets kindness. Here’s hoping you set in motion an outbreak of kindness today.
Response: LORD God, you have shown me kindness in the face of Jesus Christ. He loves, forgives and works miracles on my behalf. I remember your kindness today. Amen.
Your Turn: What can you do to demonstrate kindness today?
Angels Praise Your Faithfulness
03 Thursday Dec 2015
Posted in Psalms, Thursday's Thought
Tags
Our LORD, let the heavens now praise your miracles, and let all of your angels praise your faithfulness (Psalm 89:5 CEV).
Central Park, New York, NY — Photo by David Kitz
Reflection
In keeping with the Advent season, this week’s I Love the Psalms theme is faithfulness.
If sinless angels—the messengers of heaven—have reasons to praise the LORD for His faithfulness, then what about you and me? God sent His son to suffer and die in our place. Then on the third day, He raised Jesus from the dead. What a miracle! What a demonstration of God’s love!
Response: LORD God, I join with the angels to praise your faithful love to the children of men. Amen.
Your Turn: Has the Lord shown you his miracle working power?
I love the Psalms 