Sabbath Psalms - Godly Wonders

Psalm 66: 5 Come and look at what God has accomplished; how awesome are His works in our behalf!

John Calvin called them ‘the attestations of God’s witness to the world.’ Today, we would call them natural wonders, divine intervention, or even great escapes.

One of the challenges that Christians have in this world is how to show other people where God is present and working in our lives. Skeptics tend to think that we spiritually sugar coat the truth and wear Rose of Sharon colored glasses. Our reality is seemingly skewed by our stubborn hold on a two-thousand-year-old faith, which has entered into the realm of religious myth and fabricated fable for most post-modern day folks. The world of AI, Instagram, Youtube, and podcasts has no need for charming parables or a godly Gospel where blood and tears, as well as broken limbs and bread, redeem the world. If God has any awesomeness left to impress upon the present generation, then He’d better do it through cyberspace, iPods, anime, and cellphones. A sacred text is no longer needed, but a divine ability to safely text while driving would be a major plus.

And yet, despite all of our devices, sunrises and sunsets still attract us. Glorious mountains and the greenest of valleys captivate our souls. Christmas still touches something good, even within the least religious among us, and Easter annually fills us with new life, new beginnings, and new wonders.

We may become distracted by the latest gadgets and are constantly obsessed with the newest of trends, but God still walks and works among us, testifying to Himself in the most commonplace of natural events – the hearing of birdsong in the quiet of the morning, the rippling rhythm of a mountain stream, or the rushing of waves crashing on craggy rocks – they all witness to the power and glory, creativity and activity of a God who still cares for His creation and seeks to heal a broken world.

Point to ponder: Where do I experience God’s presence in my life?

Prayer: Almighty Creator, Your awesome works, words, and ways still reveal to us Your glory, power, and love. We seek Your divine blessings in each of our lives, for we pursue happiness and pleasure, satisfaction and harmony for our souls. Instead of being agitated and restless, help us to become anchored and restful. Instead of being distracted by complicated machinery, help us to become attracted to simple serenity. Instead of always doing, enable us to just be beings. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian Pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Online Devotion: The Contender - Colossians 2:1

Colossians 2:1            I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. (NIV)

            Paul contended for the young churches under his care. He knew that the faith of those new Christians was delicate and that they could be led astray by flattering words and false gospels. He fought for them in many ways and eventually sacrificed his life for the Gospel. He was a remarkable fighter for the faith; he was a strident contender for Christ.

            Sometimes I wonder how Paul would have fared with today’s Church. We seem to have wandered so far away from the Gospel Truth that I think he would stridently confront our mistakes and try to redirect our paths. Unfortunately, he would probably come across as being intolerant, out-of-touch, and imbecilic to most post-moderns. His statements would be ignored and his opinions would be cast aside, just as his written words are somewhat treated today.

            I wish that God would raise up another Paul among us, instead of the ‘Guy Smiley’ preachers that abound in our mega churches. People say that they are thirsting for real, authentic Christianity, but that involves changing a lot of what we have become. If another contender does arise, then she or he will shake the foundations of our cozy beliefs and make us honestly reconsider our ways. It won’t be easy, but then again, the symbol of our faith is a sacred Cross and not a comfy sofa.

Questions for personal reflection

What do I honestly think of Paul and his teachings? Why?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You chose Paul to contend for Your Church on Earth. Help us to understand why You selected him and what his writings truly teach us about You. Help us to re-evaluate our faith and renew our commitment to You alone. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to send him an email about today’s message, send it to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s drawing is one of John’s drawings called “Christ is King.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: King.

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