“The LORD reigns; He is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; He has put on strength as His belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty! Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits Your house, O LORD, forevermore.” Psalm 93:1-5
Devotional Thought For The Day
I apologize for the long break in writing devotions – I contracted some form of the common lung congestion that is afflicting many and apparently have been too weak to fight it off very well. This morning is the first in over a week that I have some sense of health and strength. Hopefully, this infection is on the way out for good!
In addition we have been somewhat preoccupied with the issues of the recent Colorado floods. Those who have gone through such catastrophic events know that the immediate shock transitions to survival strategies, then to lengthy and difficult efforts at recovery, and finally long-term to understanding and accepting a new “normal.” The last two phases crawl along for months after the headlines and hoopla are forgotten. Many people in our area are just beginning the second stage and in Lyons, where my dear wife works, infra-structure such as water, gas, and sewer will not be restored to an entire town for another two to three weeks, perhaps longer. Please keep all of these people in your continuing prayers – for strength, recovery, and resiliency!
Psalm 93 comes along in our schedule at an opportune time. When the realization of nature’s unpredictable power and fury are pressed upon us, we wonder about a lot of things. Am I safe? Are my loved ones and my possessions safe? Is it reasonable to proceed in building a life and security when everything can so easily be wiped out? Where is God in all of this? Is He even around? Does He even care? If so, what good did it do me when the floods came roaring down upon me? Is He even capable of controlling His capricious “nature,” and if so, why didn’t He when it came to me personally? And what kind of faith and relationship with God should I have for the future?
We would like life to be simple and straightforward but it is not. Our own behavior is not simple and straightforward – we make errors in judgment, our strength wilts, our determination wanes, our sin “leaks out” to the detriment of others, our relationships are at times not what they seem to be, and our hearts are often crushed, lonely, and broken. All of this is the hard, cold reality of sin being in the world, the negative effect in our own “being.” All of this is far worse than the temporary physical effects of floods, illness, injury, or even dying. And the most terrible aspect of sin is the effect it has on our relationship with God – Who is love, Who loves each of us with an incredible love that focuses on the good and welfare even of our cells and the matter we consist of.
The issue of our sin God has dealt with decisively and “once for all,” in the redemption He has provided for us in His Son, our dear Savior Jesus Christ. He is “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world,” so that “in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” [Eph. 1:7] In this reconciliation of God to us we are provided with peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, having been justified by His grace through faith. [Rom. 5:1] By faith this reality opens our hearts and minds to begin contemplating other aspects of God’s love – how He is fulfilling His promise to work all things together for our good; and knowing His love in Christ Jesus and His promises of future blessing in His heavenly kingdom, we are able to persevere and grow in our faith and trust in Him even when His providence is difficult and inscrutable. And of course, there is much evidence as well of the renewing and transforming power of His love at work in human hearts – which becomes all the more apparent as His children respond with care and compassion in times of difficulty and tragedy.
Yes, thank God that He still reigns! Thank God that He is robed in strength, that He is far mightier than anything in all of creation, far more powerful than the entire universe! Thank God that all of His Words are trustworthy and true! He is holy, and holiness befits His presence, His house; may we remember this as we approach Him in prayer, in faith and trust, and in our worship. In humble repentance, and joy in His mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing away of our sin, let us continue to be healed by His gracious love and strengthened by His sure and certain Word. And as we consider the new “normal,” may we also consider even more of God’s blessed goodness in our lives.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, remind us in all the dark times of life in this fallen world of sin that You are the light, the life of all who receive Your grace, mercy, and love. May we hold to that light of Your love in all of the hard, cold, chilling, frightening, and despairing experiences that come into our lives. Remind us of Your power, Your holiness, the trustworthiness of Your Word, and by Your gift of faith pull us through the darkness of this world and into the light of Your house. Amen.