Somebody has once said that nature abhors a vacuum; well, from all I’d seen, I would say that nature dislikes anything that doesn’t produce.”
–Louis L’Amour (Hanging Woman Creek)
“Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies.”
–Psalm 107:2 (NLT)
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Psalm 148 continues with the thought of praising the Lord. What did Jesus mean when he said if the people kept quiet that the “stones will cry out”? (Luke 19:40) This portion of Psalm 148 speaks of nature praising God. I like what William Petersen says, “Anyone and any thing can praise God by fulfilling the purpose for which it was created. In this way nonhuman creations glorify God by their daily existence.” Let’s look again at this wonderful psalm of praise.
7 — Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all the depths;
8 — Fire and hail, snow and clouds; stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9 — Mountains and all hills; fruitful trees and all cedars;
10 — Beasts and all cattle; creeping things and flying fowl;
11 — Kings of the earth and all peoples; princes and all judges of the earth;
12 — Both young men and maidens; old men and children.
13 — Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 — And He has exalted the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints–of the children of Israel, a people near to Him. Praise the LORD! (NKJV)
“Every principality and power, every creature known and unknown, was called to worship God.” (NKJV Study Bible) Look at this–God is praised by His creation. And notice verse 8, His sovereignty created them and He directs their activity. The NIV puts it this way, they “do his bidding.” It is true that storms destroy, but after the storm comes a time of refreshing and rebuilding. George Wood puts a question to each of us in this regard: “Will you trust the Lord that your own storm ‘will do His bidding’–that what devastated you will become the means by which the Lord repairs or rebuilds you into an even more beautiful habitation of His Spirit?” We see in the first part of this psalm the praise coming from creation that shows His sovereignty, His glory, His greatness, His goodness, and His power.
The psalm now turns to mankind. With all of creation praising the Lord, man should enter and join with them. All things are invited to praise God, now man should do so as well. Every human should praise Him from the great to children. Yet, man is slow to respond and many do not. Many reject this wonderful opportunity that God provides to praise Him. Oh the shame…
There is one more group who is called to praise the Lord–the throng of the redeemed. God is to be exalted! Just look at what He has done for you and me. First, He provided salvation, redemption and reconciliation to the Father. WOW! No one else is worthy of that praise for He alone could do such a thing. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” (William J. Kirkpatrick with a modern version by Josh Baldwin) Sing praises, shout praises, contemplate praises, have praises of reverence and magnify the Lord your Redeemer. The “horn” symbolizes that He is your strength and power. He is your hope and salvation. Praise Him with your voice, praise Him by fulfilling the purpose for which you were created and called. Praise Him in the good times and the times of trouble. Don’t get so caught up in your troubles and self-preservation that you lose sight of the Lord. Go back to Him and give Him praise.
“‘Let the redeemed of the Lord say so:’
Have we the peace in our heart?
Peace like a river that constantly flows,
Gladness and joy to import?”
–William J. Kirkpatrick
Author: Ira Paine
Coffee Percs
He pushed his way to the end of the car where a blackened gallon coffeepot sat simmering on the stove. He got a cup and poured himself a jot of this stiff drink—strong enough to float a track bold—and drank it…”
–Ernest Haycox (Trouble Shooter)
Go ‘head an’ take a sip. It’ll tickle yur tonsils and sooth yur gizzard, an’ mite even make yur liver smile. It’s the real thing, unadulterated, pure delight and delicious brew. It might not be strong enough to float a rail, but it’ll sure satisfy. Nothin’ artificial or fake with my coffee, no siree, strong and black and hot. There’s too much fake stuff goin’ on out there, so I want to make sure my Pard is getting the real thing.
I’ve noticed the emphasis goin’ to that AI thing out there. Whenever I google somethin’ the first thing that pops up is AI. Pard, I don’t know where all of this is goin’ but I don’t like the feel of it. Progress, maybe, but progressin’ to where? The Pit maybe. Another openin’ for that man of lawlessness to use. Why sooner or later, whatever AI says is goin’ to be the truth, ‘specially if that’s all there is.
Artificial intelligence, why I’ve seen that for many years. Jist take a look see at Congress–plenty of artificial intelligence there, an’ even here in Austin, my mercy, there some kooks runnin’ ’round givin’ the impression of intelligence, but once they open their mouths, why yuh see the fakeness come a-pourin’ out. Pard, let me tell yuh that there are many in our education system that are full of that there artificial intelligence. Why history has proven that socialism doesn’t work, yet they keep pourin’ it out there like gravy to be sopped up. What was it that ol’ seer of the Bible was a-sayin’? Yep, it was Daniel, and he said that people would be rushin’ hither and thither, gainin’ more an’ more knowledge. But he stopped there, he didn’t say they would have a lick of common sense, or that they would fear the Lord. No, they’d be wantin’ to be a-gettin’ all they could for themselves, and I might ask, as whose expense?
I see that smile, yuh know what I’m a-sayin’. Coffee reminds yuh of the real life, so strong an’ bold. Nothin’ artificial ’bout my coffee. Why first they threw the cinos at us, soon it’ll be fake or AI coffee. Why, Pard, jist the other day I went down to the grocery to buy a can of pork ‘n’ beans and saw on the can that some of the ingredients was bio-engineered, and Pard if’n yuh don’t know what that means, it means fake. An’ I hear tell there’s fake meat out there as well. Bad enough people passin’ tofu out sayin’ it’s meat. Gates and a lot of other folks want yuh to be jist a-beggin’ for that man of lawlessness to be appearin’. Well, let me tell yuh, Pard, when he does show up an’ begins to pass out his agenda the folks will see that there won’t be nothin’ artificial ’bout it. It’ll be a terrible time.
An’ Pard, whilst yuh drain the pot dry, let me be tellin’ yuh one more thing. I’m a-thinkin’ an’ I’m a-seein’ some of that AI in the churches today. Some of them so-called preachers are spewin’ forth an artificial doctrine. Whooee, the days are a-comin’ when the earth is goin’ to be full of darkness; the spiritual light will be gone. Hang on tight ’til then, Pard. Don’t be takin’ no artificial gospel, nor drinkin’ no artificial coffee. Grasp holt of the real thing and ride it on through to glory. Yeehaw, Pard, the Lord’s a-comin’ back so yuh better be makin’ sure that yur spiritual cinch is tight an’ ready!
Vaya con Dios.
Echoes From the Campfire
I didn’t need to worry about right an’ wrong as long as I continued to worry about right and wrong.”
–James D. Best (Leadville)
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”
–Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
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On this first day of August I want to leave a couple thoughts in your mind. Something for you to ponder over the weekend and on Sunday, especially. See if they resonate within your soul. Two verses from Proverbs both from the NIV, 1973 edition.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” –4:23
“Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.” –9:6
We are surrounded by much superficiality today, most of it having to do with external life. The heart (spirit) is the mainspring of our being. “It is the center that controls our thinking, feeling, and desire. It is the secret chamber that controls our whole life.” (Ralph Heynen) In other words, it is what makes us tick (pun intended). This is the place where your character is developed from the issues that you face in life. However, that character development depends much on the choices you make. For example, a situation in life can make you better or bitter–your choice. The choice you make is of dire consequence and it requires sound judgment to make the right choices at the right times, all the time.
Courage and honesty come from the heart as well as fear and hostility. Lies come from dishonest thoughts that come from the heart. “It is for this reason that we must guard the gates of the heart so that the evil desires and longings may not rise to hurt us.” (Heynen) This requires good judgment! Good judgment is developed by discipline; it is not something we are born with. Dale A. O’Shields states that the discipline of good judgment “Is something that has to be purposefully and actively cultivated over time.” It comes our way through various means: study, experience, especially learning the lessons well from our mistakes, from teachers and pastors.
“To truly guard the citadel of our inner selves we must encourage that which is good and lovely, honorable and clean. We must bring ourselves under the control of noble ideas, of uplifting thoughts, and of motives that lead to confident and courageous living.” (Heynen) In this superficial world with all of its allures we must discipline our minds, our eyes, and our thinking if we are to live honorable and righteous lives. General George S. Patton said, “Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory.” Take this thought and apply it to your spiritual life as well. What you do with your spirit/heart determines what happens in your life, whom you will serve.
Studies have shown that Millennials have acquired ideals and character from movies more than any other generation. Therefore we need, we must, take authority over our thoughts and make sure that they line up with God’s Word. Discipline your heart and mind to determine the difference between the good, the best and the better, then choose wisely. Prioritize your thoughts and your actions. Do what is important and proper rather than doing what seems urgent and expedient. (O’Shields)
It is what we are that counts. God sees what is in our hearts. It is when we have made the choice for Him that He lives within us and we can depend upon the Holy Spirit when sound judgment is needed. O’Shields writes, “It is the capacity to count the costs and consider the consequences of our attitudes and actions before we entertain and engage them.” That is sound judgment, that is spiritual discipline, that is guarding the heart. I like this little prayer by Ralph Heynen, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Fill the inner recesses of my soul so that which is unworthy may be crowded out. Give me that inner strength that will carry me on, even in life’s darkest hour. Amen.”
“Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that Thou art–
Thou my best thought by day and by night;
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.”
–10th or 11th century Irish hymn (translated in 1905, Mary Byrne)
Echoes From the Campfire
In its own cruel way, there is nothing that is finally more brutally depressing than a forever hostile sky flooding down constant, battering waves of chilling raindrops that go on and on without end.”
–Clair Huffaker (The Cowboy and the Cossack)
“I would hasten to my place of refuge from the stormy wind and tempest.”
–Psalm 55:8 (NASB)
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In the past year this country has seen its share of floods. Floods throughout history have been the source of great devastation. Rivers can run rampant bringing destruction and loss of life. A calm stream can quickly become a raging torrent. It is estimated that the Yellow River flood in 1887 brought death to over a million people in China. The worst flood in U.S. history took place in 1889 in Johnstown where over two thousand individuals lost their lives. Add to that tsunamis and storm surges and we see that floods can bring catastrophe. We saw this year in Texas the results of flooding. Rivers brought debris and death as they overflowed their banks–cars, structures and houses, campers, along with animals and humans were caught in the raging water.
I want us to turn to Romans 5:20 and look at a portion of that verse. I’m not a Greek scholar (how I wish I were), so I am borrowing some from Rick Renner this morning.
“…But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.” (NKJV)
The first use of the word “abound,” where sin abounded, Paul uses the Greek word, “plenoadzo”–which means more, something exists in abundance. Sin then grows more in the passing of time. Sin is never stagnant but always increasing and growing–bringing devastation like the flood waters that overwhelm. However, abounded is used again in this verse. Grace “abounded,” is the Greek word, “huperperisseo”–which means something that is growing out of measure, beyond proportion. If sin is flooding, then grace is the fountain of the deep rising up.
Rick Renner paraphrases this verse as such: “For wherever sin exists in abundance, that is precisely the time and place where grace is poured out in a far greater, surpassing quality.” Ponder! Contemplate! Ah, the riches, the superabundance of grace comes to us through Christ. As the floods in nature bring devastation when they overflow their banks the grace of God brings His love, joy, and peace to us. “No banks can hold the flood of grace He is sending in our direction…. The flood of grace will always far surpass the flood of sin and darkness!” (Renner)
I think it is good to look at other translations from time to time to see perhaps a different insight. First is from Henry Harbuck, “But where sin multiplied, [God’s] grace super-multiplied to [the point of] overflowing.” Remember the first “abound” is the growing of sin, multiplying, but then Paul through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit states that even though that happens the abundance of grace is “super-multiplying”! J.B. Phillips translates it this way, “Yet, though sin is shown to be wide and deep, thank God his grace is wider and deeper still!”
It brings to my mind the song of Sunday School in my childhood days: “Deep and wide, there’s a fountain flowing, deep and wide.” That’s the grace of God as it is sooo deep and sooo wide. “Not only can sin never exceed the grace provided by God, sin loses its threat when compared to the superabounding grace of God.” (NKJV Study Bible) Grace is far more than sin for grace is eternal. The words of John Chrysostom, that great preacher of the early Church said, [grace brings] “remission from punishment but forgiveness from sin as well.”
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
–Julia H. Johnston
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In the past year this country has seen its share of floods. Floods throughout history have been the source of great devastation. Rivers can run rampant bringing destruction and loss of life. A calm stream can quickly become a raging torrent. It is estimated that the Yellow River flood in 1887 brought death to over a million people in China. The worst flood in U.S. history took place in 1889 in Johnstown where over two thousand individuals lost their lives. Add to that tsunamis and storm surges and we see that floods can bring catastrophe. We saw this year in Texas the results of flooding. Rivers brought debris and death as they overflowed their banks–cars, structures and houses, campers, along with animals and humans were caught in the raging water.
I want us to turn to Romans 5:20 and look at a portion of that verse. I’m not a Greek scholar (how I wish I were), so I am borrowing some from Rick Renner this morning.
“…But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.” (NKJV)
The first use of the word “abound,” where sin abounded, Paul uses the Greek word, “plenoadzo”–which means more, something exists in abundance. Sin then grows more in the passing of time. Sin is never stagnant but always increasing and growing–bringing devastation like the flood waters that overwhelm. However, abounded is used again in this verse. Grace “abounded,” is the Greek word, “huperperisseo”–which means something that is growing out of measure, beyond proportion. If sin is flooding, then grace is the fountain of the deep rising up.
Rick Renner paraphrases this verse as such: “For wherever sin exists in abundance, that is precisely the time and place where grace is poured out in a far greater, surpassing quality.” Ponder! Contemplate! Ah, the riches, the superabundance of grace comes to us through Christ. As the floods in nature bring devastation when they overflow their banks the grace of God brings His love, joy, and peace to us. “No banks can hold the flood of grace He is sending in our direction…. The flood of grace will always far surpass the flood of sin and darkness!” (Renner)
I think it is good to look at other translations from time to time to see perhaps a different insight. First is from Henry Harbuck, “But where sin multiplied, [God’s] grace super-multiplied to [the point of] overflowing.” Remember the first “abound” is the growing of sin, multiplying, but then Paul through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit states that even though that happens the abundance of grace is “super-multiplying”! J.B. Phillips translates it this way, “Yet, though sin is shown to be wide and deep, thank God his grace is wider and deeper still!”
It brings to my mind the song of Sunday School in my childhood days: “Deep and wide, there’s a fountain flowing, deep and wide.” That’s the grace of God as it is sooo deep and sooo wide. “Not only can sin never exceed the grace provided by God, sin loses its threat when compared to the superabounding grace of God.” (NKJV Study Bible) Grace is far more than sin for grace is eternal. The words of John Chrysostom, that great preacher of the early Church said, [grace brings] “remission from punishment but forgiveness from sin as well.”
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
–Julia H. Johnston