If you read my last post, you know I am beginning a new series on Psalms. I used Psalm 16 this past Sunday and focused on two ideas:
- Take Time for a Backward Look
- Take Time for a Forward Look
It is the latter I’d like to share with you in a series of posts this week. Psalm 16 brings out three ideas about reflecting on God’s goodness:
WE ARE TO REMEMBER WHO GOD IS
In verses 1-2 David gets us to focus on God. The reason that is so important is when we focus on God our whole perspective changes. It is easy to see God as someone who is far away, Someone totally uninvolved in our world. My Deist friends will say God created the world and then left it, someone who is unconcerned with our circumstances.
Of course, I would disagree. I see proof on an almost daily basis of His concern for me.
The best part though is what David does in this Psalm. An interesting phenomena occurs when he uses three different Hebrew words for God: Elohim, Jehovah, and Adonai. Using the ESV translation, David writes:
“Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.” The word used is Elohim. El is the most frequently used name for God and is translated “mighty power.”
“I say to the LORD.” The word used is Jehovah, which speaks of His personal interest.
“You are my Lord…” The word used is Adonai, which speaks of His presence. He is the Master.
David can’t help but be overwhelmed by the truth of who God is!
And I gotta wonder…why am I not that overwhelmed? These two verses tell me I am surrounded by a God of love, protection, wisdom, and strength.
I’d like to ask you to carry this truth with you this week. Any thoughts?
As a Deist I don’t assume God is a someone. More of a something. Also I can find no definition that includes what one imagines to be true as the definition of Truth. One can imagine anything to be true if facts and evidence doesn’t matter.
‘Course you know I would disagree on several counts. I believe in a Someone not a something. I also know a Deist who does but still holds to His disappearance. And I do believe in the truth of there being a God.
I must admit that I’m often not as overwhelmed as the situation calls for. Maybe because we sometimes forget to acknowledge internally and concretely where our help comes from?
I’m guessing you are absolutely correct MS.
Just started reading the book “Through the eyes of a Lion” and after finishing chapter 1 and hearing your sermon yesterday and now reading your blog find there’s not really words to describe the gratitude and awe I feel inside for our Creator God who is also the “good, good Father”….your last paragraph here sums it all up best…seems if I truly began to grasp this all it would totally transform every moment of every day of my life!
Yep…you are growing and it is wonderful to see. 🙂 Don’t stop! And thanks.
I will keep this close to my heart this week, Bill. We do need to reflect daily upon the greatness of our God.
Blessings!
Agreed about reflecting on the blessings.