1 Kings 8:27 Solomon
said, “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even
the highest heaven, cannot contain you.
How much less this temple I have built!”
God often amazes me. In the littlest
things like a blade of grass, I see His handiwork. In the vastness of space and
the colossal starry sky, I recognize His hallmarks of creation. In the people I
love, I see His image constantly before me. In the work of the church I serve,
I watch for His ways. Every day is a special gift from His goodness, so no
matter how I feel, what I am experiencing, or what I face, I still find sacred
seconds in which He just plainly and truthfully amazes me.
My mind cannot contain the infinite
wisdom and boundless glory that is God’s. My heart overflows with His love
because it cannot be kept personally within me. He makes me glad to be one of
His creatures and He makes me proud to be a child of His. I know that I do not
deserve such goodness and love, or His compassion and mercy, but I am joyful at
knowing these beautiful blessings. Sometimes my heart is fit to burst with God’s
overwhelming love; in those sacred moments, I wish that the whole world could
be filled with the same feelings.
Ages ago, when King Solomon had
completed the building of the First Temple in Jerusalem, he knew that God could
not be contained with the bricks and mortar of a mere building. However, Solomon
understood the symbolism of God’s dwelling with humanity and felt humbled by
God’s favor on his people. It must have been a glorious and sacred day for all
of God’s people.
The older I get, the more that I
realize that because God is gracious, He allows His Spirit to reside on this
paltry planet we call Earth. Humanity does not deserve such a blessing because
of our broken and sinful ways, but the love of God persists in the midst of all
the evil in the world. We are still His people. We are still His children. We are
still loved and never alone.
The infinite God abiding in a finite
planet – this is what constantly and will always amaze me.
Questions for personal reflection
Where do I see
God’s handiwork around me today? When do I feel His love in my life?
Prayer: Lord God, You have created the
entire universe with its vast array of galaxies, solar systems, stars and
planets. You have also made the tiniest of things like atoms, cells, seeds, and
people. Thank You for the wonders of creation that are all around us, which
constantly amaze us. And we especially thank You for Your deep and abiding
loving presence which will always gladden our hearts and give meaning to our
lives. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.
John
Stuart is the pastor of Erin Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like
to comment or ask a question about today’s message, please send him an email to
Traqair@aol.com.
Today’s
image is one of John’s Psalm pictures which depicts God as Creator. If you
would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: Psalm 115.
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