As I shared in a recent email, I love New Year's Day. It is a time to reflect on the past year - the good, the bad, and the ugly. It is also a time to look forward - to prioritize and to organize. When I began to think about "what do I need to do better in 2004?" - I initially focused my attention on the usual types of "resolutions". You know: eat better, exercise more, spend more time with my family, worry less, give more, spend more time with God. However, as I began my "new" study of the Psalms today (another resolution!) I was struck by the incredible truths of Psalm 145 which has given me my "New Year's Resolution".
Psalm 145 is basically a psalm of praise for God's creation. Verse 3 comments on the fact that His greatness is "unsearchable" or "beyond our understanding". It goes on to state in verses 4-7 that individuals and communities will praise His works to one another when they mediatate on His wonderous works. Then in verses 8 and 9, the psalmist describes some of God's most awesome attributes -Gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, great in mercy, good to all, His mercies are over all His works. This is how the Lord described Himself on Mt. Sinai to Moses when He gave him the 10 commandments! Then as the writer moves into verses 14-16, he comments that this Great God, creator of all things and the most wonderful and power King, upholds the lowly, the fallen and PROVIDES and SUSTAINS them with their daily bread. Then in verse 18 we see that our only response to these great attributes, these great works, these glorious powers is to "call upon Him in truth."
This is my New Year's resolution: to call upon Him in truth. I can make no claims upon the Creator of the Universe. I can not earn His love or grace. I can not point to my good works and demand or expect His blessings. I can only "cry out" to Him. I can only "speak the praise of the Lord.".
This will not be easy. I am used to "controlling my destiny" by hard work and discipline. However, as I look back on the past year, I see that He is actually the one that has been "satisfying the desires" of my heart. I can rest in the knowledge that our glorious and powerful King, the one who created all things, can take care of the simpler needs and provision in my life.
Great idea! I enjoyed the site. May this be a wonderful year for all of you.
Posted by: ED WINSLOW | January 01, 2004 at 04:57 PM
Pretty impressive, doc! First the projector and fancy screen... now this! I've got you on my list of favorites ;-)
Jim & Winnie
Posted by: Jim Roche | January 02, 2004 at 09:28 AM