Posts from category "Meditations 2020"
Suddenly, unexpectedly, seemingly out of the blue – a question dropped into my mind. I recognized the Source and it captivated my thoughts throughout the evening and night. I could not give a clear answer so I took the advice of James 1:5 and asked the Lord to tell me the answer. This was the question - - What does it mean to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness? Early in the morning several scripture verses tumbled into my head – so close to one another they bumped into each other as they entered. I combined (1 Chronicles 16:29 and Psalms 96:8-9) (Amplified Bible). “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His Name. Bring an offering and come before Him; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness and holy array. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; tremble before Him and reverently fear Him”. Then I dissected this to dig into the meaning of each command.
I know that most travel has been curtailed but no restrictions or boundaries can put limits on my time machine. I have taken several trips to faraway places - - far both in distance and in past or future time. Recently I decided to visit a region which is now part of Turkey – specifically a mountain called Ararat which has an elevation of about 6,000 feet. After 1 year and 10 days (Genesis 8:18) in the ark, God told Noah to come out with his family and all the animals. Fortunately I arrived just as they were coming out because I wanted to see the newly washed and refreshed world. I watched Noah build an altar and offer burnt offerings to the Lord. This really touched me - - when the pleasing odour ascended to the Lord it was a scent of satisfaction (Genesis 8:20-21) to His heart. Just think - - we can bring joy to God’s heart by our obedience and worship. Noah and I looked up at the sky where the glorious sunshine was chasing the receding clouds.
We have no difficulty in believing that Jesus always was – always is – and always will be GOD. But do we grasp the essential necessity for us of His humanity? I am not thinking of His victorious atonement just now but I’m concentrating on His Life as MAN.
I love this verse: (Amplified) Isaiah 57:15 – Thus says the High and Holy One – He Who inhabits eternity, Whose Name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place, but with him also who is of a thoroughly penitent and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the thoroughly penitent (bruised with sorrow for sin). As I meditate on the wonder and love of God revealed in this verse, I feel increasing awe.
What is prayer? I’m sure we all know it is not a shopping list for a Big Vending Machine in the sky. Do we ever treat prayer like that – hurl our request at God as if He were our Servant and then hurry off to do our own thing?
