Tag: God in control
The God who breathes stars!
Scripture reading for June 10th: Psalms 31-35
The Psalms reveal a lot about the character, power and majesty of the God we worship. God is the subject and object of these writings, and Psalm 33 is especially rich in revelation! It is one of my personal favorites! It begins with music–singing, shouting, and instruments played skillfully! It is fitting to begin with praise and worship when we contemplate the majesty of God!
God is first commended for His word. The word of the Lord is right and true! God can be depended on to do what He has said. He made the heavens by His own word. When he spoke, God breathed out the starry host! When we think of the vast universe with it’s countless stars, galaxies, and star clusters, stretching out for billions of light-years, we can only worship in awe and holy fear! He speaks and out of nothing, stars appear! What power and amazing understanding is on display daily! His word holds the universe together! (Colossians 1:17)
God is in total control of the earth and all it’s peoples! He knows how to stop nations and people from interfering with His plans. His plans and purposes are established firmly forever! The nation that serves the Lord will be blessed! God is watching over mankind and knows everything that is happening. He knows the hearts of all men and is looking for those whose hearts are sold out to Him. He will show Himself strong for them! (Psalm 33:18-19) His unfailing love moves Him to bless and give His people what they need and desire!
As we contemplate the truths of this psalm, we gain an understanding of the magnitude of the God we worship! Faith begins to grow that He is truly in control! No purpose of His can be stopped! He knows how to stop nations that are going against Him. He knows how to bless people who are sold out to Him! I want God watching out for me to save and deliver me! What about you?
“We wait in hope for the Lord’ He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” Psalm 33:20-22
God of celebration!
Scripture reading for May 17th: Esther 8-10
When God wanted His people to remember something, He often designed a feast or celebration! Looking back, God gave Israel “Passover” as a way to remember their deliverance from bondage in Egypt. He gave them “Pentecost” and “Firstfruits” to celebrate the harvest and giving of His Law. He gave them “Tabernacles” where they lived in booths to commemorate their 40 years in the wilderness before entering the promised land. He gave the church the “Eucharist” (thanksgiving) to celebrate Jesus Christ’s final sacrifice and as a picture of the great wedding banquet to come! God likes the idea of His people celebrating!
The Jews had good reason to celebrate! Their enemy, Haman, had been hung on a gallows that he himself built. The king had extended favor to Esther and Mordecai by giving them Haman’s estate. Haman had offered 375 tons of silver (120 million dollars) to eliminate the Jews and the king told Mordecai to keep his money! (Esther 3:9-11)
The king also granted them the right to defend themselves and eliminate their enemies! Since the first decree which, according to the law of the land, could not be set aside, Mordecai was allowed to set that day to eliminate the enemies of the Jews. Before the day came, many people of other nationalities became Jews for fear of them. (Esther 8:17) On the day set by Haman, the tables were turned and over 75,000 enemies of the Jews were destroyed! (Esther 9:1-2) Esther asked for another day and it was granted! Thus the feast of Purim (lot) was begun. Annually they celebrated for two days giving gifts and eating choice foods, for their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into celebration! (Esther 9:20-22)
What do we learn from all of this? God is in absolute control of everything! When His people fast and pray and seek to obey, He comes through. Evil toward His people is turned back on the heads of those who would touch His children! His children can celebrate a total victory over the forces of evil arrayed against them! We win in the end! Tell someone this good news today! Celebrate the victory that is yours in Jesus Christ!