Understanding Beyond Measure

I recently had another hearing test and discovered that my hearing comprehension has severely declined. I have known for some time that I have difficulty understanding what people are saying, but now I know it is at least partially due to my inability to distinguish different sounds. The other day, my wife told me the six digit code sent to her. Unfortunately, I incorrectly heard four out of the six numbers she told me. We all know that understanding is important, but do we agree that we are misunderstanding so many things in life and that these misunderstandings limit how well we live.

Psalm 147:3-5 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.” God has given light to all the stars and named each one. His power is infinite, as is His understanding of all things. He can be trusted to heal our wounds and give new life to our souls.

Glimpse of Glory

As I hike through God’s creation, I am often overwhelmed by glimpses into His glory. By His breath, He has created artistic canyons, beautify sunrises, majestic mountains and cliffs, gorgeous waterfalls, and unlimited beauty. When I ponder His glory, I think about His unlimited power, authority over all rulers, His majestic throne, truth and wisdom, and knowledge of all things. Then my thoughts turn inward and I reflect on His glory demonstrated by delivering my soul from hell and despair, His rich mercy, His steadfast love, His redemption of my soul from death to life, His tender care and protection, and His daily lovingkindnesses.

Psalm 86:12-13 says, “I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.” To glorify God means to give Him the weighty importance and shining majesty He deserves. Why? Because He has delivered our souls from the bottomless pit of despair and we have done nothing to earn His steadfast love that He abundantly gives us.

Enough Is Enough

Why do we always want more? We want more material things. We want more time. We want more respect. We want more love. We want more power. We are constantly busy pursuing more. And yet, more rarely provides us with satisfaction. That is because we want more of the wrong things or for the wrong reasons.

II Corinthians 12:9-10 says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” God’s grace is enough for us. For it is by His grace that we receive forgiveness of our sins, salvation, freedom, hope, life, joy, peace and abundant love. These things are what we truly need and our hearts truly yearn to receive.

New Day

Sometimes, we awaken in the morning with a sense of anticipation of good things. Christmas morning or the first day of a vacation cause our hearts to celebrate, and we look forward to the blessings of the day. But on some mornings, we awaken with a sense of dread or boredom in doing the same old things.

Psalm 40:3 says, “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.” Let God put a new song in your mouth each day. Yes, we do do some of the same things and think some of the same thoughts every day. But God wants to give you new blessings and use you to bless others in new ways each day. Open your eyes to see, your ears to hear, and your heart to understand and receive God’s new blessings today and every day.

Who Am I?

We tend to define ourselves by whatever we are doing and, perhaps, by whatever people may say about us. We fear being rejected by people and, therefore, often seek to please others. Even in the best of times, we may be discouraged by who we think we are.

I Peter 2:4-5 says, “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by me but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Those who trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are chosen and precious in God’s sight. Let us be encouraged and strong in the knowledge that He is building us as living stones to be His temple for service unto Him. The temporary assessments about us from the world are meaningless in the face of God’s true love and acceptance when we become His children.