Tag: god’s power

Psalm 46

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            We possess the unconditional presence of God.  Yes, there is never a time when God is not with us.  Wow! What a wonderful and radical thought.  But that’s not all!  God helps us.  He doesn’t just stand by and watch us squirm in tough situations.  Because God is present with you, He is able to help you in times of trouble.
            The psalms, as Hebrew poetry, were designed with a certain structure.  Unlike the way we arrange things with a thesis statement said right up front, Hebrew poetry has the most important statement smack in the middle of the psalm.  What comes before that statement is a growing crescendo that is meant to highlight the central idea.  Everything that comes after is the decrescendo pointing back to that idea.
            So, what do we have in the middle of this psalm? What is the important statement of truth that the psalmist wants to draw attention to?  “The LORD All-Powerful is with us.”  Boom!  This reality is meant to drop its weight on us so that we will feel the impact of God’s presence and power.
            Today is a good day to use the statement, “The LORD All-Powerful is with us,” as a point of thought, contemplation, and deep consideration.  When you’re waiting in line, driving in the car, in-between meetings, or just sitting at home, repeat that statement many times to yourself and to God.  Then, allow God’s Spirit to bring the truth of it home to the depths of your soul.  There is no better security, no better hope that to know that God is with us.

 

God Almighty, great upheaval in this world does not make you nervous because you are above it all.  Thank you that you are with me in all the great upheavals of my life, as well as all the little small things of adversity.  Even if all around me changes, you do not; through Christ my Savior.  Amen.

Exodus 19:16-25

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            The Bible is filled with mountains.  Whether it is Christ’s transfiguration on a mountain; or, the giving of the law on a mountain; the physically majestic serves as a tangible symbol of the divine majesty.  Conversely, valleys in Scripture are symbolic of difficulty and suffering.  Our God is a God of both mountain and valley.  That is, the God of the Bible is both transcendent and immanent; he rules with power and might high above us on his holy mountain; yet, he also comes near to us in the valley of the shadow of death.
 
            Leading up to the giving of the Ten Words or Commandments in Exodus 20, Exodus 19 portrays an awesome scene of God in all of his transcendent holiness and power.  In fact, the experience was so otherworldly that the people were afraid to even come near the mountain.  The people needed limits placed on themselves because of God’s holy presence.  Just like coming too near the immense power of the sun will destroy us, so getting near God can ruin us if we do not respect his holiness.
 
            Understanding God’s power and transcendence brings the reality of his immanence into greater appreciation.  God went to extreme lengths to communicate to his people.  And it all culminated in the ultimate expression of God’s communication through the incarnation of Christ, the sending of the Son.  In Jesus, the transcendence and immanence of God meet perfectly to bridge the chasm between humanity and the divine.  Because of Jesus the awesome sounds of thunder and trumpet do not lead to fear, but announce grace to those who approach God by faith.
            Awesome God, by your majestic grace you drew me to yourself through the person of Jesus.  Help me so to know and appreciate your law so that the character of Christ will radiate in my words and my actions, in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.