He began to think how beautiful the earth was, how Nature hid her rarest gifts for those who loved her most, how good it was to live, if only for these blessings.”
–Zane Grey (The Mysterious Rider)
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.”
–Psalm 48:1 (KJV)
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I used to not understand. I’m speaking of people melting down after an election. But now, I have only pity for them. They are weak of character, placing hope in people and in an agenda that is foolishness and mockery towards God. If there is a meltdown now, what will it be like at the Judgment? Now, the election of Trump doesn’t mean that things will be hunky-dunky. We’ll see if he tears down the “high places.” The issues that are in the news are not the root cause, and that’s why the media is so involved. I saw where late night talk show hosts cried, and were in shock. See, the problem is sin–plain and simple. “O that you had paid attention to my commandments!” (Isaiah 48:18, NRSV). That’s the bottom line–pay attention to what God says.
But this morning I want to remind you, as we enter into the holidays (holy days) to be thankful. We get so caught in what’s going on, the busyness of life. The election was on the mind of so many, and it should have been, but many were looking at it with the wrong perspective. They had man’s agenda in mind, not the will of the Lord. Be thankful, be thankful in all things and for all things.
Sunday a song was playing and my mind went to the idea that God cares for us in some many ways that are unseen. This year has been one of extremes–flooding then very dry. We needed rain, and it was supplied. Now, before you go on and say it was just the water cycle. It was just the way of climate, let me remind you that it was God who put the laws of physics and nature in place. Instead of complaining, griping, and murmuring:
“Take time to ponder
Just who sends the rains.”
–R.W. Hampton
The words of the Lord to Job come to mind–where were you? How dare we tell God anything. How dare we tell Him how to run His universe. Instead of whining, have hope and trust in the Creator.
“So listen my friend if you’ve cause to doubt
Open your eyes and He’s all about
In a wondrous creation abounding with love
By the Father and Son it’s ruled from above.”
Your heart beats, who set it in motion? The blood circulates according to whose plan and design? Who gave you the talents and abilities you have? Realize my friend that the “Master’s In Everything.” No, this is not Cosmic Humanism, New Age. The seasons are not God, but they are designed and set in motion by God. Take a walk in creation, you cannot but see that He’s there. Why do people try to deny Him? Why do they think they are autonomous? “God is greater than man” (Job 33:12, NIV) comes the words of Elihu. Later God asks Job, “Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place? Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this.” (Job 38:12, 18, NIV). Go ahead, finish reading chapter 38-39.
Be thankful. Take a look around you and look at all that you can be thankful for. I dare you!
“From the four winds that blow to the whippoorwill call
From the green leaves of spring to the gold in the fall,
From sunrise to sunset and all in between
The Master’s in everything that you see.”