Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious! Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name.” Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf! He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot—come, let us rejoice in him. He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations—let not the rebellious rise up against him. Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. Psalm 66:1-12 It is not very difficult to identify plenty of issues that may threaten to swallow us and sweep us away. There is the unrest in some nations around the world that have threatening impact on our lives. The challenge of making a living and saving for the future. The anxiety of modern culture that is adrift. Do you wonder, “Why doesn’t God fix it?” Do you question, “Where are you when I need you, God?” Have you prayed and prayed and prayed and seem to receive no answer from the Lord? The psalm writer says, “Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf.” An example of God’s awesome works was the great deliverance he accomplished for the Israelites at the Red Sea (Exodus 14). He “turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the waters on foot” but their pursuing enemies were engulfed in the waters that God released upon them. Though the people of God endured difficult times under the harsh rule of the Egyptians – they were imprisoned as captives and bore the burdens of slavery – God rescued his people. He brought them out of Egypt and graciously led them “to a place of abundance.” Through the prophet Isaiah God says: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isaiah 43:1,2). Concerned…anxious…troubled about what surrounds you? About what challenges you personally or the society you are part of? Come and see! Run through the inventory of God’s awesome deeds in your mind. When you come to the awesome deed of Jesus…God’s own Son…lifting and shouldering your doubt and anxiety, stop. Absorb into your heart and mind all that Jesus Christ has done for you. His perfect life. His death. His resurrection. All of this for you…to give you forgiveness and eternal life. All of this for you…to bring you to a place of abundance. Prayer: Lord God, teach me to be patient under the burdens you allow me to bear. Take away my fear and anxiety with your gracious promise that you are leading me to a place of abundance. Amen.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 02:44:53 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015