Above all created things

Psalm 148:13(c) “… His splendour is above the earth and the heavens.”

The Psalmist calls all created things to praise their Creator. God's splendour is displayed all around us, in all that is created. Flowers that bloom in the brightest colours; gigantic clouds that form in hues of blue and grey; the night sky that sparkle with millions of stars, galaxies that are unseen. Looking around us we can see creation's beauty displayed. But it cannot compare to it's Creator. Creation is but a reflection of Him… a “finger print” left behind by the greatest Artist I know. How great is our God?!

God is above all created things. He is even greater, more awesome and more majestic than all that I can see or experience here on earth.
That which I can “see” blows me away... nature … sound … colour … taste … emotions … texture …
→ imagine beholding heaven, and then setting your eyes on Him, the Creator of it all.

Maybe that's why God said to Moses “You cannot see My face; for no man can see Me and live.” Our bodies could not cope with it. It would be overpowering and too much to take in.

Prayer:
"God, You are so huge … it blows my mind just to think of your greatness. I stand in awe of You."

Seasons change

Psalm 126:4-6 “And now, God, do it again – bring rains to our drought-stricken lives so those who planted their crops in despair will shout 'hurrahs' at the harvest, so those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with arm loads of blessing.”

(Pictured - cherry blossoms in Spring.)

Seasons change. What was empty will be filled. What was broken, restored. That which looked dead – brought to life. Such is the nature of our God. He is able to take our brokenness, and swing it around and bring restoration. Such is the business of God – those are His miracles.

No matter how broken we feel, or how desperate things seem – God is able to make all things work together for good. The worst that could happen to us in this life is death - and even that's not so bad (for the child of God.) Paul puts it into perspective when he writes: “for me to live is Christ – and to die is gain.” (Phil 1:21)

Prayer: "Father – as I look back on my life, I’ve seen how You’ve brought me through valleys and mountains. Help me to lean into You. To trust You. To obey You.
You know best, Lord. Have Your way." Amen.

GOD SHOWS HIS HUMAN SIDE

Psalm 22:14 “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.”
At first glance, I read this Psalm and I’m struck by the lament of King David – feeling forsaken by God. But the more I read it, the more I see it to be a 'Messianic Psalm' – pointing to Jesus and His suffering. The bible say that Jesus had been tested in every way (Heb 4:14-5:10). He knows the pain and burdens that we bear.

He felt the humiliation of being stripped naked, spat upon and ridiculed.

He felt the pain of physical torture; beatings, His beard being ripped from His face, His body being flogged... the crown of thorns... the nails... being hung on a cross.
He felt the pain of rejection... His disciples ran away in His our of need, the very people He came to save turned on Him, demanding He be crucified. Even His Father turned His back on Him while He hung on the cross, bearing all our sin on Himself.

Then He felt the sting of death.

In this Psalm I can take courage in pain/misery – for He’s been there – done that.

Prayer: God – thank you for showing us Your “Human” side. And I know that no matter what I go through in life, You understand, and You help me through it all.

P.S. Jesus rose again from the dead, conquering death, and removing it's sting. We also have this hope that even though we endure hardship or even death, there is life thereafter. Eternal life with Him, where there is no more sickness, pain or death.

Worship in the Throne Room of God

Rev 4:10-11
The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: (11) "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."


In Revelation 4, John first describes what he sees; the glorious radiance of God on the throne. Then he describes what he hears; worship!
When the sound of worship rings out in the throne room of God, the 24 elders kneel down in worship and cast their crowns down before Him.

Each one of us wear a "crown." It might be a crown of status, title, position, reputation, fame, achievements, wealth or importance. Maybe you wear a crown of pride because of achievements or success. But let us follow the example of these elders - and lay down all these things before Him. He alone is worthy of praise and adoration. He is higher than my highest achievements, greater than my greatest rewards, more precious than anything I could treasure in this world.

And this is the essence of worship: to make someone else greater than myself. To esteem them higher than I esteem myself. To count them as more valuable than I do myself. To make myself smaller, and make them bigger.To point away from me towards the object of my adoration and worship.
For many people on this planet, their object of worship is a Hollywood star, or a sports legend, maybe even a car or some kind of trophy. For the believing Christian, our focus is on our God. And we worship Him alone.




3 days left before our Multi Media presentation of Revelation as a Book of Hope.

Grace Church, Perth, 6 Sept'09 - 6pm. Afrikaans Service