Word

"The Word possesses such power, however seriously considered, heeded, and put into practice that it never remains barren of fruit. It always awakens new thoughts, new pleasures and devotions and cleanses the heart and it's meditations."

- Martin Luthur

If You Think God Is Ignorant...

Do you think God stands far away? Do you think He hides Himself in times of trouble?
When you see the poor pursued and seized...
...the innocent murdered....
...the helpless crushed, sunk down, and fallen.

God does see. He notes mischief and vexation and will take it into His hands.
He will break the arm of the wicked and evildoer...
...call wickedness into account until there is no more...
...incline His ear to do justice for the fatherless and the oppressed...

Read Psalm 10 today and let it cultivate trust in the faithfulness and sufficiency of our God.
He does not forget the afflicted...
...is the helper of the fatherless...
...hears their desires and strengthens their hearts...
...is King forever and ever!

The Mystery of Godliness

Our small group just began studying 1st Timothy, and last night's discussion was the overview of the entire letter. Great content (but then, isn't that true of the entire Bible?). Very much looking forward to it. Some potentially controversial issues lie within, but I'm praying God will lead us and that we will have hearts to hear what His Word says. It will be "all good."

Right now my favorite part of the book (and I'm sure that will change week to week) is the beautifully poetic exposition of the gospel that Paul recites immediately following his purpose for writing (3:14-15). He calls it the mystery of godliness. I don't have any brilliant commentary to share; the gospel is brilliant on it's own...

"Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on by the world,
taken up in glory."
(1 Timothy 3:16)

remembering and reaching

this morning i've been swimming in psalm 143, written by david.  while the enemy is pursuing his soul, crushing his life to the ground, making him sit in darkness like those long dead (v. 3) he cries out to God, saying...

"i remember the days of old; i meditate on all that you have done; i ponder the work of your hands.  i stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land."

currently, i'm not aware of being pursued, crushed, or in left in darkness.  honestly, i feel like i'm in a "land of plenty / streams of abundance / sun shining down on me / world's all as it should be" time of life.  but i know that i can never forget to remember all that God has done - not just in my life, but his wonderful works throughout history.  i can never forget to stretch out my hands to him, to reach for him and express my dependence on him.  even in these "good times" i need to practice the discipline of remembering God's faithfulness and reaching for his sustenance.