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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY-
God's grace is not only sufficient, it's versatile. God accepts and loves each of us just as we are. And he gives us the privilege of demonstrating our gratitude to him by loving each other in the same way.
PSALM 33
GOD'S WORD IN WORSHIP (1‑5). We dare not separate worship from the Word of God, for we must worship "in truth" (John 4:24). THE BETTER WE KNOW THE SCRIPTURES, THE BETTER WE WILL BE ABLE TO PRAISE HIM (Col. 3:16ff.).
GOD'S WORD IN CREATION (6‑9). God spoke the universe into existence (Gen. 1; John 1:1‑3), and His Word controls it (Ps. 147:15‑18). WHAT A POWERFUL WORD IT IS!
GOD'S WORD IN HISTORY (10‑17). The nations may confederate and rebel against God, BUT HIS WORD WILL PREVAIL (Ps. 2). Military strength is no guarantee of success. God has a plan for the nations, and He will fulfill it (Acts 17:24‑28).
GOD'S WORD IN YOUR LIFE (18‑22). The Word that created and controls the universe can also control your life. WHEN YOU TRUST HIS WORD AND OBEY IT, ALL THE UNIVERSE WORKS FOR YOU. When you abandon that Word, all the universe works against you (Jon. 1).
NEVER FEAR THE WILL OF GOD BECAUSE IT COMES FROM THE HEART OF GOD (v. 11).
With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe
Thomas Nelson Publishers
Nashville
“Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc.”
GOD TURNS OUR LIVES INTO THINGS OF BEAUTY
Over a hundred years ago, in a Scottish seaside inn, a group of fishermen were relaxing after a long day at sea. As a serving maid was walking past the fishermen's table with a pot of tea, one of the men made a sweeping gesture to describe the size of the fish he claimed to have caught. His hand collided with the teapot and sent it crashing against the whitewashed wall, where its contents left an irregular brown splotch.
Standing nearby, the innkeeper surveyed the damage. "That stain will never come out," he said in dismay. "The whole wall will have to be repainted." "Perhaps not." All eyes turned to the stranger who had just spoken. "What do you mean?" asked the innkeeper. "Let me work with the stain," said the stranger, standing up from his table in the corner. "If my work meets your approval, you won't need to repaint the wall."
The stranger picked up a box and went to the wall. Opening the box, he withdrew pencils, brushes, and some glass jars of linseed oil and pigment. He began to sketch lines around the stain and fill it in here and there with dabs of color and swashes of shading. Soon a picture began to emerge. The random splashes of tea had been turned into the image of a stag with a magnificent rack of antlers. At the bottom of the picture, the man inscribed his signature. Then he paid for his meal and left.
The innkeeper was stunned when he examined the wall. "Do you know who that man was?" he said in amazement. "The signature reads 'E.H. Landseer!'" Indeed, they had been visited by the well-known painter of wild life, Sir Edwin Landseer. God wants to take the stains and disappointments of our lives and not merely erase them, but rather turn them into a thing of beauty.
¨ Ron Lee Davis in Mistreated. Leadership, Vol. 12, no. 3. (Psalms 33:4)*
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(Psalms 33 TLB)
Let all the joys of the godly well up in praise to the Lord, for it is right to praise him. {2} Play joyous melodies of praise upon the lyre and on the harp. {3} Compose new songs of praise to him, accompanied skillfully on the harp; sing joyfully.
*{4} FOR ALL GOD'S WORDS ARE RIGHT, AND EVERYTHING HE DOES IS WORTHY OF OUR TRUST.
{5} He loves whatever is just and good; the earth is filled with his tender love. {6} He merely spoke, and the heavens were formed and all the galaxies of stars. {7} He made the oceans, pouring them into his vast reservoirs. {8} Let everyone in all the world--men, women and children--fear the Lord and stand in awe of him. {9} For when he but spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command! {10} And with a breath he can scatter the plans of all the nations who oppose him, {11} but his own plan stands forever. His intentions are the same for every generation. {12} Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his own. {13} The Lord gazes down upon mankind from heaven where he lives. He has made their hearts and closely watches everything they do. {14} {15} {16} The best-equipped army cannot save a king--for great strength is not enough to save anyone. A war horse is a poor risk for winning victories--it is strong, but it cannot save. {17} {18} But the eyes of the Lord are watching over those who fear him, who rely upon his steady love. He will keep them from death even in times of famine! {19} {20} We depend upon the Lord alone to save us. Only he can help us; he protects us like a shield. {21} No wonder we are happy in the Lord! For we are trusting him. We trust his holy name. {22} YES, LORD, LET YOUR CONSTANT LOVE SURROUND US, FOR OUR HOPES ARE IN YOU ALONE.
