Look around. What do you see? Does it discourage or lift you up? Would you believe that despite how you look at what lies about you, it may be a misdemeanor.
The ocean is a completely different place when you are 100 feet beneath its surface than the body we know from where we stand beside it. When we move away from the sun, we discover how much of it never has the pleasure of enjoying the acquaintance of such a majestic bit of creation. The vast, unsearchable reaches of a domain that wakes up to darkness and falls asleep to blackness. Little difference is detected by the untrained eye, yet it is there.
We may feel certain that nothing could survive in the conditions that you see, but is our Creator thoughtless in what He chooses to expose His creatures to? Does He not know the limitations of every species He has designed with His own hands? Could He form you and sustain for every millisecond until this time, and then lose sight of what confronts you? Would the biggest trial you have ever faced fail to draw His attention? Do we imagine He is so insensitive and inept as our God and Savior?
If we do, our hearts need to be changed; this is not the God that we have been called to love and live out our lives with forever and ever. This is a lie that Satan works day and night to promote through the mystery of every evil He can stir up under the permission of the Father. We must be waken up by the truth, to turn from the deception of our former father — he who lies for a living — and come under the wing of He who lives and declares the truth of His living. And what can affect this alteration but His Word? May we run to it!
God rules: there’s something to shout over! On the double, mainlands and islands—celebrate!
Bright clouds and storm clouds circle ’round him;
Right and justice anchor his rule.Fire blazes out before him,
Flaming high up the craggy mountains.His lightnings light up the world;
Earth, wide-eyed, trembles in fear.The mountains take one look at God
And melt, melt like wax before earth’s Lord.The heavens announce that he’ll set everything right,
And everyone will see it happen—glorious!All who serve handcrafted gods will be sorry—
And they were so proud of their ragamuffin gods!On your knees, all you gods—worship him!
And Zion, you listen and take heart!Daughters of Zion, sing your hearts out:
God has done it all, has set everything right.You, God, are High God of the cosmos,
Far, far higher than any of the gods.God loves all who hate evil,
And those who love him he keeps safe,
Snatches them from the grip of the wicked.Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people,
Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.So, God’s people, shout praise to God,
Give thanks to our Holy God!Psalm 97
At Home with God 