8/26/20 Wednesday
Journal Ps 97-99 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: “Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” Ps 97:1-3
Observation: Once I learned about God’s Sovereignty, I started seeing that evidence everywhere in the Scriptures. I see it right here…and, what? So?
Analysis: What does God being a Sovereign God mean? What does it mean to me?
Hard question….and easy at the same time, I think.
Easy, because putting the qualifier “Sovereign” on God seems like “peanut butter and jelly”, “sausage gravy and biscuits”, “tofu and….” whatever goes with soy curd. But, even when I can assign that “sovereign” adjective properly, what does it mean to me every day?
The Psalmist is clear in his praise of God’s sovereignty:
- “…he has done…”;
- “His right hand…. His holy arm…”;
- “The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed…”;
- “He has remembered his love and faithfulness…”.
I noticed that in this passage, the only thing that I am responsible for is “seeing the salvation of our God.”
So, taking a cue from Ancient Aliens, I must ask myself, “Do I see God’s salvation in all the ends of the earth?” Do I see and notice marvelous things? Salvation working?
Do I know his Salvation? How? And where? And how often?
Do I see his revealed righteousness? How about his steadfast love? His faithfulness?
For me, I forget to look. I take his Faithfulness, his marvelous working, his steadfast love for granted—something I can assume upon without any acknowledgement.
Jeremiah reviewed this issue: “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: His steadfast love never ceases…” (Lam 3:21-22a) But, Jeremiah is brought to this with all sorts of sorrow, wormwood, and gall. God drives arrows into his kidneys to get Jeremiah’s attention (Lam 3:13)
What do I do? I turn on the TV, call for takeout, or something else. I am just plain inattentive.
How do I stir up my passions? How do I cultivate a heart fully after God; fierce in pursuit?
Prayer: Lord God? How do I do that? For sure, it is not on my own, independent initiative—it is only by You, Holy Spirit. How do I tell the difference, whether Me or Thee? I don’t, except by faith that You are empowering me to seek you, and perhaps find you, daily. AMEN