I will praise Him!
Bilberry Creek in spring — photo by David Kitz
For a Thousand Generations
16 Saturday Dec 2017
Tag Archives: wonders
Who is like you, LORD?
15 Saturday Jul 2017
I will praise Him!
Who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? — photo by David Kitz
The heavens praise your wonders, LORD,
your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD?
Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings?
In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
he is more awesome than all who surround him.
Who is like you, LORD God Almighty?
You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
(Psalm 89:5-8, NIV)
Big God—Little Me
01 Thursday Jun 2017
Tags
David, eternal significance, God, heavens, insignificance, Jesus, majestic, portrait, Psalm, transcendent, true size, wonders
Reading: Psalm 8
For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of David.
LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory in the heavens.
Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.
You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth (NIV).
Reflection
There’s something exquisitely beautiful about this psalm. Yes, in it we see the glory of the heavens, the sun, moon and stars—the vast array of heavenly bodies. But there’s more to it than that. This psalm is more than a pretty poetic picture of the heavens.
Lead me in your path — photo by David Kitz
It’s about perspective. In the grand scheme of things David grasps his true size—his insignificance. Beneath a canopy of stars, he has a transcendent moment—a God moment. He realizes the immensity of God. In the material realm you and I are just a transitory flicker across the face of time. That’s why David asks, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”
In the vastness of the universe, what am I but a speck. Why would God even consider me? But He does! That’s the wonder of this psalm, and the wonder of our God. He is mindful of you and your concerns. God has crowned human beings—you and I—with glory and honor. When did that happen you might ask?
Well, it happened at creation. God placed humankind as the rulers of all creation. That’s a huge responsibility, a responsibility we have often failed to fulfill. But God reaffirmed His love and commitment to us at the cross. Jesus considered you so significant that he bled and died for you. Now that’s significance—eternal significance in the face of God’s own Son.
Response: Heavenly Father, Creator of the universe, thank you for considering me. Thank you for being mindful of my daily concerns. I bring them to you. Amen.
Your Turn: Have you had a transcendent moment—a God moment? How did that happen?
From Every Nation and Race
28 Thursday Jul 2016
Posted in Psalms, Thursday's Thought
Tags
You created each nation, and they will all bow down to worship and honor you. You perform great wonders because you alone are God (Psalm 86:9-10, CEV).
Stained glass Llewelyn United Church, SK — photo courtesy of Donald Adam
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is wonders.
Though as followers of the Lord Jesus we may go through difficult and discouraging times we can draw strength from this thought: God is in control and He will triumph in the end. Though at present the world may be in turmoil, the day is coming when the Prince of Peace will return. Today’s verse from the Psalms reflects this truth.
You created each nation, and they will all bow down to worship and honor you.
You perform great wonders because you alone are God (Psalm 86:9-10, CEV).
God sent his son to suffer and die to take away the sins of the World. But on the third day God raised Jesus from the dead. Now that’s a great wonder! But I’m not sure which is a greater wonder, the resurrection of Jesus, or God’s love for the likes of you and me?
There is a thought that brings me great peace. Our great Redeemer will bring His elect people together from every nation. That’s the promise of His word.
Then they sang a new song, “You [Jesus] are worthy to receive the scroll and open its seals, because you were killed. And with your own blood you bought for God people from every tribe, language, nation, and race” (Revelation 5:9).
Response: LORD God, what a wonderful hope we have in you. The day is coming when we will all bow down to worship and honor you. Amen.
Your Turn: Are you glad that we will be unified around the throne of God?
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?
Open my mind
26 Tuesday Jul 2016
Posted in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth
Tags
Bible, Cobourg ON, God, God's word, Psalms, the Law, wonders
Open my mind and let me discover the wonders of your Law (Psalm 119:18, CEV).
Cobourg, ON — photo courtesy of Eric E. Wright
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is wonders.
Yesterday’s post focused on the wonders of God as seen in creation. The sky declares His glory. But today’s focus is on the wonders of God’s word. Here is the psalmist’s prayer:
Open my mind and let me discover the wonders of your Law (Psalm 119:18, CEV).
The Law in this case is not simply referring to the Ten Commandments or the other precepts in the Jewish ceremonial and civil law. The Law in this verse refers to all of the inspired word of God, which for Christians includes all of the Old and New Testament.
There are wonders to be discovered in the pages of your Bible. Have you established a daily routine that includes reading the word of God? To discover the wonders of God’s word, we need to be immersing ourselves in God’s word, and as we do we do that we need to pray for a mind that is open to what God is saying to us. God’s word becomes wonderful as it is applied. Only then will it transform and give meaning to our lives.
Response: LORD God, today I want to open my mind to your word. Speak to me through it. I want to be a doer of your word. Help me make life changing discoveries in the Bible. Amen.
Your Turn: Do you have a habit of reading God’s word? Has the Holy Spirit spoken to you recently through the pages of your Bible?
Telling the Wonders of God
25 Monday Jul 2016
Posted in Monday Meditation, Psalms
The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done (Psalm 19:1, CEV).
The heavens declare the glory of God — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is wonders.
Does God exist? The answer is written in the sky. In essence that’s what David the shepherd king is saying as he begins Psalm 19.
The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done (Psalm 19:1, CEV).
At night the starry hosts announce God’s glory. Each morning the sun rises in glorious splendor to declare the goodness of the LORD. Towering clouds and thunderstorms reveal His awesome power. God is robed in the grandeur of the setting sun.
Through all these daily occurrences, God is speaking—speaking from the heavens. And He is speaking across the whole earth to every nation, tribe and people group. The daily panorama unfolding in the sky bares witness to the wonder-filled reality of God our Creator.
Are you hearing the voice of God? Have you opened your eyes to see His wonders? He is far closer than you think.
Response: LORD God, I want to see your wonders today. I want to hear you speaking to me through the natural world that you created. Give me ears to hear your voice. Amen.
Your Turn: Does God speak to you through the beauty of nature?
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.
Generation to Generation
31 Thursday Mar 2016
Posted in Psalms, Thursday's Thought
Each generation will announce to the next your wonderful and powerful deeds (Psalm 145:4, CEV).
One generation to the next — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is proclamation.
When we think of proclaiming God’s goodness, our minds quickly go to the ends of the earth. But the most important place to live out the gospel is at home. And the most important person you will announce the good news to is your own son or daughter.
Moses had these instructions for the people of Israel: These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
Among family members talking about God and our faith should be as natural as breathing. After all, God is involved in our daily lives. Then these words from the psalms will come true for us.
Each generation will announce to the next your wonderful and powerful deeds (Psalm 145:4, CEV).
The day will come when Jesus welcomes us into our eternal home. I don’t want to be living there alone.
Response: LORD God, help me to truly appreciate my family. Help me to radiate your love to those near and dear to me. Help me to live before them as a person of integrity. Amen.
Your Turn: Do you find it easy to talk about God with your family?
I love the Psalms 