Tuesday Reflection – June 23, 2020
God\u2019s Word is Still Alive and Active.
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Psalm 147 is a Psalm of praise to God the creator who cares for us. It can be divided into three sections. The first section, vs 1 to 6, praises God for his protection and preservation. Section 2, vs 7 to 11, praises God for his work in nature, and the third section, vs 12 to the end (20) praises God for his wisdom, power and word. In this section the concentration is on God\u2019s power and care for his creation and the presence and witness of God\u2019s word among God\u2019s creation. The watchword for today is verse 15:\u00a0He sends His commands to the earth. His word runs swiftly.
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In a world which many describe as being devoid of the presence of God, today\u2019s text is a stark reminder that God is very much present and at work among the creation. His commands and the swiftness of His words are a sure sign of God\u2019s continued activity and presence. When God speaks, when God issues His commands, his words, they quickly reach their destination. In describing the swiftness of God\u2019s word during the creation the Psalmist says in Psalm 33: 9\u00a0For he spake, and it was\u00a0done; he commanded, and it stood fast.\u00a0This is the speed at which God\u2019s commands move and his words impacts the world around us. There is an immediacy to God\u2019s words. He speaks and it happens. Paul understood this when he asked for prayer in 2 Thessalonians 3: 1:\u00a0Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified, just as with you.\u00a0God word moves throughout the earth and is glorified as it finds fulfillment among God\u2019s people. There is no stopping the word of God nor its fulfillment. Rather we ought to make ourselves channels through which God\u2019s will is accomplished.\u00a0Is 55: 10 \u2013 11 reads similarly to the Psalm.\u00a0\u201cFor\u00a0as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,\u00a0And do not return there,\u00a0But water the earth,\u00a0And make it bring forth and bud,\u00a0That it may give seed to the sower\u00a0And bread to the eater,\u00a011\u00a0So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;\u00a0It shall not return to Me\u00a0void,\u00a0But it shall accomplish what I please,\u00a0And it shall\u00a0prosper\u00a0in the thing\u00a0for which I sent it.\u201d\u00a0Indeed we are being reminded today of the continuous presence and power of the living, active word of God.\u00a0
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The constancy and power of God\u2019s word both encourages and cautions us. It encourages us to know that regardless of where we find ourselves, or what we may be going through, God has a word for us. The writer to the Hebrews describes the word of God in 4: 12.\u00a0For the word of God\u00a0is alive\u00a0and active.\u00a0Sharper than any double-edged sword,\u00a0it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.\u00a0Imagine the penetrative power of God\u2019s word friends. Soul and spirit, joints and marrow, is descriptive of the core of our very being, of who we are. This is the us that God alone knows. The watchword therefore invites us to open ourselves for an intimacy with God that is experienced only by those who lay bare their hearts and souls before him. That God would even want to be with us in such intimacy is hope for a fallen humanity. This is the hope that the world needs today. Gladys Moore wrote the Hymn, \u2018God\u2019s word alive and active, proclaimed throughout the years, still comforts us when hurting and calms our hidden fears. God\u2019s word of truth and justice sets weary captives free, and joins God\u2019s holy people in new community.\u2019 The caution to us is that even as we are drawn closer in intimacy, we must realize the futility of trying to hide the true us from God who is all knowing. We cannot live a double standard before God and think that all is well. God\u2019s words reveal God to us and us to God. The call for us then is to ensure that our thoughts and actions are a reflection of God\u2019s commands, that our words and ways mirror God\u2019s words and intentions for us. In this way we will be true stewards of God\u2019s grace, reminding the world that God is indeed present with us. Through our living we are called to let the world know that God\u2019s word remains alive and active in God\u2019s creation. Amen.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
Bevon White<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Tuesday Reflection – June 23, 2020 God\u2019s Word is Still Alive and Active. Psalm 147 is a Psalm of praise to God the creator who cares for us. It can be divided into three sections. The first section, vs 1 to 6, praises God for his\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"template":"","watchword_topic":[11],"class_list":["post-247","watchword","type-watchword","status-publish","hentry","watchword_topic-prayer"],"yoast_head":"\n