I cannot find myself able to get past Psalm 104 as each segment I read hold truths that will help me get through life. Here are only two of my thoughts.
God’s trees are well-watered—
the Lebanon cedars he planted.
Birds build their nests in those trees;
look—the stork at home in the treetop. – Psalm 104:16-17 MSG
If God can call the Lebanon cedars, His trees, imagine what He thinks of me when He thinks of me as His child. Cedars are not all that amazing but they definitely help me understand how He takes the weak things of this world to mess up the things which seem more powerful and open to honour. It is in the simple vessels of humility – cedars – that He pours the glory of the highest development – it is there that His glory can be seen by everyone – especially someone like me.
Meanwhile, men and women go out to work,
busy at their jobs until evening. – Psalm 104:23 MSG
Here is where my strength comes from, thinking about my Creator’s thoughts I am conscious of His purpose and I find myself wanting to take part in some intelligent manner to making that purpose happen. There is nothing more honouring and pleasing to God to see me pray and strive to be something. To not honour myself the way He honours me cannot be acceptable to Him.
The world speaks into this and calls it ‘manhood.’
One thing I have loved about my work is that I have not had to endure it, to be a slave to it or to even have to serve it. My wife helped me a lot in my early years. Work is a thing honourable, appointed and set aside for me as part of His creation. There is a sense, right in the middle of that, where I claim and affirm my likeness to God.
I am not passive in my openness to the blessings that God has for me. I understand that in life the salvation of souls matters most, but with all work, there is respect, honour and joy.
If the world thinks like Plato, Aristotle, Cicero and Socrates – to be in a place or profession where there was an exchange of product for money – which, by the way, was despised, then I have a problem as a follower of Jesus. Adam and Eve, Jesus, Paul all got their hands dirty by working and earning their keep.
Father, the fact that You care about the cedars of Lebanon shows just how much You care about me – thank you for giving me Jesus. While my life in Christ is my all, I love how I can work in this world and enjoy it because of Your favour and blessing, I know what really matters is the world to come. Make my spiritual life and the lives of others matter most.
Erwin (evanlaar1922)
Sixty-six books in a year 