Readings for today: Psalms 131, 138, 139, 143, 144, 145
Reading through the Psalms this morning was refreshing, especially at 2:30AM in Africa! The only part of jet lag I love is getting up and spending hours with the Lord in the watches of the night. It’s quiet. There are no distractions. Space is created for me to listen to God and reflect in deep ways on His goodness and glory. Consider the words of Psalm 145. One cannot meditate on them enough. “The Lord is great and is highly praised; his greatness is unsearchable.” (Psalms 145:3 CSB) God is truly great. Greater than we can imagine. Greater than we think we know. Limitless in his power and knowledge. Limitless in his love and grace. Limitless in his righteousness and justice. His greatness is simply so great it is unsearchable. It is mysterious. Unfathomable. His will is inscrutable. We will never truly understand the mind of God because we are finite. We see through a glass darkly. We only can see part of the picture. We have such a limited view. But God's greatness knows no end!
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love. The Lord is good to everyone; his compassion rests on all he has made.” (Psalms 145:8-9 CSB) Echoes of Exodus where God showed Himself to Moses. The true nature and character of God revealed in all its fullness and glory. God is gracious. His love is unconditional. His mercy is everlasting. There is nothing that can separate us from God's love. Nothing that can condemn those who are in Christ Jesus. No conditions. No circumstances. No sinful behavior. No addiction. No crisis. No tragedy. No doubt. No fear. No failure. Nothing in all of creation can separate those who are in Christ Jesus from the gracious, merciful, steadfast love of God. This is why “All you have made will thank you, Lord; the faithful will bless you.” (Psalms 145:10 CSB)
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all his acts.” (Psalms 145:17 CSB) His Law is beautiful. Precious. It is like water to the soul. His commands are designed for human flourishing. His statutes are for our protection. All his ways are good and kind.
“The Lord is near all who call out to him, all who call out to him with integrity. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry for help and saves them. The Lord guards all those who love him, but he destroys all the wicked.” (Psalms 145:18-20 CSB) O the wonderful promises of God! They are true! They are secure! They are more real to me than my thoughts. My feelings. My experience. They are the foundation of my life in Christ. Truly God fulfills His promises. Always in His way and in His time and according to His good plan.
I love the Psalms so much sometimes I just sit and let the words wash over me like waves at the seashore. Wave after wave of God's goodness. Wave after wave of God's promises. Wave after wave of God's glory. As I am drenched in the love and grace of God, I find myself quite naturally falling to my knees in praise. Falling to my knees in humble submission. Falling to my knees is thanksgiving for all He has done for me.
Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 27-29, Psalms 68