January 9, 2018 Tuesday

“A psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name; worship the LORD in the splendour of his holiness. The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning. The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, "Glory!" The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King for ever. The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” (Psalm 29:1-11 NIV)

            When I was a young Christian I read a book by J. B. Phillips titled Your God is too Small.  Phillips steps on our toes and says that we often see God as an aging Grandfather who overlooks our sin while giving gifts to us, or as a sheriff who tries to keep the peace, or as an angry judge looking for a reason to condemn us or even as a distant or nonexistent God who no longer cares for us or never did.

            Psalm 29 presents us with God that if you meditate upon this scripture will show the foolishness of how we often see God!  The power, glory, holiness and the voice of God is still active in Creation and beyond Creation!  How many times does David speak of “The voice of the LORD” ?  List what David how God’s voice continues to be active in Creation as the forever King!

            Take time to list on one side of a paper how you see God and on the other side how David and indeed the entire Bible reveals God to us.  How much does your view of God differ from the Psalm?

            Then we are left with a decision.  Do I want to receive the God I see or do I want the God David reveals to us?  Which will be able to bring hope, faith, joy and love to you and into Creation?  Will your “god” give you strength and peace?  Choose today!