The Man Peter

July 1, 2024 Admin1 Comment

Matthew 16:16-18

How many of us can identify with the man called Peter? Jesus named him Peter, “Petros” which in the original Greek means “Rock”. Because Jesus is the Creator of all things, including people – Peter, you and me, He knows what name to give to each of us. Did Jesus call Simon “Peter” because of some inherent strength that he exhibited from childhood?

Looking at the life of Peter we do see a certain confidence expressed in his bombastic disposition. He was forever blustering…correcting Jesus when he didn’t like His predictions (Matthew 16:22), and generally assuming leadership within the group of disciples. Peter was wordy, always having answers…a take-charge sort of man. Was it because of this that Jesus named him the “Rock”? Peter makes a fascinating psychological study.

But we learn most from Peter’s spiritual journey. Just like everyone else, he was a complex mixture of strengths and weaknesses. Full of ideas, Peter suggested that booths should be built to commemorate the meeting of Jesus with Elijah and Moses, at Jesus’ transfiguration (Mark 9:2,5-6). On the surface this was a magnificent thought! However, we must notice his words were motivated by fear, not feeling. (How many people have tried to serve Jesus for the wrong reasons?)

His fears overwhelmed him on the night Jesus was taken by soldiers to face charges laid against Him by the religious right of that day. The Jewish leaders rose up to defy His deity, by having Jesus crucified and Peter, moved by panic denied knowing Him, not once, but three times (Luke 22:56-62). Recognizing his failure, Peter wept bitterly. At that moment he could have penned the words of a song we sing today:

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all.

Thankfully he didn’t give up. This man, jelly-like in his lack of loyalty, became a Rock constructed by Jesus, when he once recognized his own weakness. Here’s the thing….in spite of your weakness and mine, Jesus is able to do the impossible. He can and will make us solid in our faith. It isn’t all bad to reflect on our past sins, if we then recognize the glorious truth that we are made strong by our Creator, Himself, when we admit our inadequacy!

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all.

How many times can we fall down, before Jesus will no longer pick us up? We know of at least 3 instances in Peter’s life, but our Lord assured His disciples that they would be forgiven as they forgave others, up to seventy times seven. Who is counting?

Reflection:

As we worship let us remember Peter grew as he leaned on Jesus! Both he and the Apostle Paul knew what it meant for weakness to be turned into strength (Hebrews 11:34). Do you?

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name!

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

The Man of God

June 27, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

2 Timothy 3:17

Who qualifies to be “the man of God”? Does that apply to saints or to children of God, to men or to women, to all sinners who have been forgiven, to believers or to all of the above? Paul, writing to Timothy whom he calls his “son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2), also calls him “man of God” (1 Timothy 6:11).

In his first letter to Timothy Paul emphasises fighting the good fight (1 Timothy 1:18). This includes caution against the love of money, an issue that has the potential to draw the hearts of believers away from God. “Man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness”. After all, Paul says “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:11, 6). Paul lists those characteristics which the man or woman of God must pursue – Godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Strangely these things do not come easily to any of us, so once again he warns Timothy to fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12).

We are not left to struggle alone. We have been blessed to have God’s written word to “make us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 6:15). Paul reassures Timothy that “all scripture is God-breathed” (:16). Peter refers to this in his letter to people of faith. “We did not follow cunningly devised stories”. They recorded what they personally had witnessed of Jesus’ majesty (2 Peter 1:16).

Consider the society Christ came to love, heal and to forgive. Even Jews had digressed from purity when worshiping their God, falling into practises which the pagans used with loud and noisy public prayers, instead of seeking God in the quiet of their closet. Jesus Himself warned against praying for show (Matthew 6:5-6). Just as their practise became watered down, so did the truth of what God had said. It was not long until they followed Satan’s cunning fables instead of adhering to the honour and glory of God’s Son, with whom God was well pleased (2 Peter 1:16-18).

To guard against forming idols we need the “Holy Scriptures”. They are profitable for sound doctrine, teaching, rebuking and correcting sin in our lives, as well as for training us in righteous living! (2 Timothy 3:16). To these standards the man or woman of God must cling. It is through the leading of the Holy Spirit that we understand God’s Word which prepares us for every good work (3:17).

There are examples of men of God in the Old Testament too. We find one such “man of God” unexpectedly coming to advise the king of Israel. King Amaziah was on the verge of making war without considering what the power of God could do for him and his army (2 Chronicles 25:7-9). To me it is interesting to note that the King gets the credit when he won the war, working on God’s terms, yet the man of God goes unnamed. Truly he will get his reward in heaven.

Reflection:

Although men and women of God can be found on mission fields, sometimes the very folks we go to work with teach us how to live Godly lives! There will be a lot of unsung heroes in heaven. Whatever it takes to be used of God, let us never forget that doing His will is born out of the character of God, seeking the will of God, in all things.

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Our Father

June 18, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Photo by Juan Pablo Serrano on Pexels.com

Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4

In answer to the disciples’ request, Jesus taught His disciples to pray (Luke 11:1). John the Baptist also taught his disciples to pray. We don’t know how John began his prayers, but Jesus addressed them to the “Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). Notice an important link, personalizing our prayer. We are to pray to “Our Father” according to Matthew (6:9)….not just any Father, but Jesus’ Father also.

Jesus teaches us a lot about His Father. First of all, He is to be revered as Holy. Matthew and Luke agree: His very name is “Hallowed”, meaning respected, honoured. In fact, Jesus cautions us about the use of this term “Father”: “Do not call anyone on earth your Father, for One is your Father, He who is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9).

The difference between our God and pagan deities is that He is relational. His Fatherhood is crucial to the freedom with which we can come into His presence. But – not everyone is a child of God. John reminds us in verses we should commit to memory, that we become children of God when we believe and receive Jesus, who in these verses is teaching us to pray (John 1:12-13). “to all who received Him [Jesus], to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God”.

Our Father can be applied to for daily provision (Luke 11:3), both material and spiritual. His children trust that His perfect will is sufficient for each day, because His will is done in a perfect place – heaven (Matthew 6:10).

God our Father also stands ready, filled with mercy and grace, to forgive His children when they misbehave, or make wrong choices, provided we hold a spirit of forgiveness towards those who sin against us (Luke 11:4, Matthew 6:12). “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us” Luke wrote.

“Father” is a tender term, in spite of what our human experience may have been. The character of God is often demonstrated by Godly fathers here on earth, but not always; God is so long-suffering and tender, kind and patient, “not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9).

Good fathers do not provoke their children to wrath (Ephesians 6:4 KJV). Moreover, God may be trusted to carry out His word, whether it is a promise or a consequence, leading us in a relationship of trust. Sometimes we don’t appreciate the consequences, but like any good parent God is true to His word.

Reflection:

How did God become your “Father in heaven”? Do you remember that experience with joy? What do you know about Him and where can you learn truth about the One we call heavenly Father? We are invited to search the scriptures, God’s love-letter to mankind. Do you enter His presence with thanksgiving in your heart, and into His courts with praise? Are you free from the burden of bearing a grudge against someone else? Do you celebrate His tender mercies which are new every morning? Will you trust Him where you cannot see a solution to problems that exist here on earth? Does His truth impact your heart and mind day by day? How might that influence the way you live? Do you find comfort in calling God your “Father”?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Faithfulness

June 12, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Genesis 24:27

Eliezer had promised. Faithful to his word, he journeyed over 500 miles, back into Mesopotamia. Most likely his trip, backed by his wealthy master Abraham, was as comfortable as possible, although, having ridden a camel myself, it would not be my first choice! Abraham ensured he was well provided for, giving him 10 camels, as well as the dowery necessary for the transaction (24:10), if he found a girl who would be adventurous enough to risk marrying an unknown man.

Abraham was being protective. He valued the promise of God to give him the land in which he now lived (24:7). He did not want his son to be tempted by the luxuries of life back in Ur, so when the time came for Isaac to be married, Abraham sent his trusted servant back home to get a bride from among his God-fearing relatives. He was very anxious to avoid a daughter-in-law from among the pagan Canaanites (Genesis 24:3, 8).

Abraham trusted his God to send an angel before Eliezer (24:7). Going back into the records of Abraham’s walk with God we must remember that every male in his household was to be circumcised as a sign of their allegiance to Abraham’s God (Genesis 17:10-13). This gives us a glimpse into the life of the man he entrusted with this important task. So it comes as no surprise to find Eliezer praying.

We can learn something from the simple prayers of this man. He had certain expectations. Don’t we all? “Show kindness to my master Abraham”……”By this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master”. He knew the Lord God was kind! Because God is kind, Eliezer expected God to give him direction and success in his mission. He watched the girl who had caught his eye as the potential bride, watching her closely. After all, a lot rested on his choice! He “watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful” (24:21).

When she passed the test, listen to Eliezer’s prayer: “Praise be to the Lord!” He recognized the Lordship of God. We might ask ‘what does it mean to you and to me, that Jesus is Lord of our lives’? As he bowed down, Eliezer praised God for His kindness and faithfulness, for His direction to the household of Abraham’s family (24:27).

Reflection:

What do we learn from Eliezer? He was a loyal, trustworthy servant. In fact, he was the chief servant in Abraham’s household, a position of honour! (24:2). When Abraham remained childless for nearly 100 years, he feared that his estate would have to go to Eliezer, a servant who had most likely been born in his own household (15:2). Eliezer was faithful to the task, because he was depending on God to hear his prayer.

Eliezer learned to trust the Lord implicitly and he was willing to give God the glory for the success of his mission.

What do we learn about God? He is faithful, provisional, and kind. He hears and answers our prayers. Eliezer believed Him to be worthy of all honour and praise.

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Getting in God’s Way

June 4, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Matthew 16:13-

The Bible records a story that is close to the experience of every believer. How often do we try to interpret God’s word as instruction for us to do something? Sadly we often do so on the basis of incomplete listening. We are so frequently reactionary that we only have half the picture when we fly off to “do” or to “fix” something.

Perhaps this is why we are told “…know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). In that same verse the Lord tells His people to “Be still” – cease striving, and know that I am God. It seems that although they claimed to know God, they didn’t understand the magnificence or the intentions of this Sovereign Being.

God spoke: “I will be exalted among the nations.” Pretty incongruous with the state of affairs in their world. So many other nations, heathens, pagans, were worshiping at the shrines of man-made gods. How would God be exalted among the nations? Certainly not with their help. Stop trying to fix it, God said.

A hymn-writer penned the words “Speak Lord, in the stillness, while I wait on Thee.” If God speaks to us in a still small voice, will we hear Him amidst the noise of our world? What assurance will we have that God speaks to His children today if we don’t practise the art of listening?

Back to our story – Peter had just identified Jesus as Divine. Jesus commended him for listening to the Holy Spirit who had revealed this truth to him, for it was on that truth that Jesus would build His church! (16:18) WOW! Imagine having that “well done” from Jesus’ own lips! However, Peter, being Peter, fails to listen to the rest of what Jesus needed to teach His disciples. He interrupted Him in the middle of an important prophecy. He only heard “I will be killed” – or that was what Peter thought he heard. Words tumbling over each other, Peter hastened to correct Jesus by exclaiming that was impossible! (Matthew 16:22).

Immediately Jesus turned the tables and spoke to him sharply. You are acting just like Satan; in fact your denial of my sacrifice is exactly what Satan wants this needy world to believe (16:23). You see – Peter was getting in God’s way. The perfect plan God was orchestrating in order to achieve redemption for the sins of the world, would have been turned upside down by Peter’s well-meaning protection of the One who needed to be his Saviour!

When the unexpected, or distasteful happens to us we are often tempted to tell God “Never, Lord!” just as Peter did, but if it fits into a Divine plan that is veiled from our eyes, might we just get in God’s way? Perhaps we need to pause, to listen carefully, and to wait for God to clarify His purpose, before we deny Him the opportunity to teach us precious lessons that He knows we need to learn.

Reflection:

Think about what God’s purpose might be in some unwelcome circumstance in your life.

Do your reactions tend to get in God’s way?

Does He sometimes need to rebuke you for not listening?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

The Splendour of His Holiness

May 28, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Psalm 96:9

Which scriptures teach you and me how to worship our Lord? Off the top, can you think of anything beyond the well-known verse penned by an unknown author? “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (KJV). “Worship the Lord in the splendour of His holiness” (Psalm 96:9 NIV) Awesome! We worship Him because He is Holy.

What do we know about the holiness of God? We sing about it: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty” but what do we mean? Jesus said “I have come to do your will” (Matthew 26:39) and “By that will we are made holy [set apart*] through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 10:10).

There are many other words associated with God’s holiness. “Holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3). One commentator notes: “God is supremely and exclusively God. He has no rivals. As uniquely excellent, He is His own category”. Samuel wrote “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one beside You” (1 Samuel 2:2). Apparently, the Bible calls God “the Holy One” over 50 times and calls the Spirit of God “the Holy Spirit” over 90 times. While God alone is holy [set apart*], there is a sense in which we humans also may be holy.

However, there are many temptations through life which would lure us away from the path of holiness. Peter knew that better than anyone. He warns his readers: “Just as He who called you is holy, be holy in all you do, for it is written ‘Be holy, because I am holy’ ” (Leviticus 11:44-45, 1 Peter 1:16). First of all we must be intentional.

We will never achieve the beauty of God’s holiness, but His example gives us something to strive for. We have the life of Christ revealed to us in God’s Holy Word. What might we take from this? Holy means to be set apart*. In the purity of His sinless life, Christ is indeed set apart. No other human has achieved the splendour of His perfect life. He has gone down through history as God’s Holy Son, God in a man’s body, pure and perfect.

How does this apply to you and me today? For one thing, God has given us instructions in moral purity to follow, in the Bible. We have been set apart to be different because the Holy Spirit lives in each believer, growing us into the likeness of our Lord Jesus, loving, joyful, peaceable, patient and kind…and the list goes on (Galatians 5:22). Christ is our hero in holiness!

Reflection:

Purity? Holiness? Is it fair that God sets before us what looks like an impossible task? Let me suggest it is only when we are inspired by the vision of His splendour, that we will strive to be more like Him! Have we seen Jesus in all of His glory, raised from the dead? If we take time to be holy, we will spend time in His presence, getting to know the God we say we worship. Regarding fairness we might ask: Do we long to suffer whatever life throws at us in the same spirit as He suffered all that He faced on the cross, and all that went before it?

“Majesty! Worship His majesty! Unto Jesus be all glory, honour and praise!”

By Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Uncategorized

With Me in Paradise

May 20, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Luke 23:38-46

The man was a hardened criminal. What the specifics of his crime were we are not told, but he got the death penalty. It was a hideous death, the type saved for the worst. He was labelled a thief, but had he also killed someone in his attempt at robbery? Sometimes they just cut off the hands, but this was total defeat, hanging on a cross. A Roman cross. What was his nationality? Was he a Roman too? Or was he a Jew? Surely Jews were above petty thieving….so punishment this serious meant it was a complicated case. Who were his judges? The religious elite of Pharisees, or the Roman tribunal?

Had he and the other thief been working together? Did they know each other at all? They carried on a brief conversation as they hung there. Actually, it was not quite a conversation but began by the one thief hurling insults at the man dying between them. He made demands of the man “If…..save yourself and us” (Luke 23:39). He must have heard of this man’s reputation for healing and doing miracles. Why was he there hanging on a cross? So many questions!

Our first criminal retorted “Don’t you believe in God?” Imagine – what a place for a testimony of faith. He went on to declare Jesus righteous…yes – it was Jesus Christ, hanging between 2 thieves. “This man [Jesus] has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:41).

What did these men dying on either side of our Lord know about Him? One demanding with sneers: “Aren’t you the Christ?” The other humbly asking that Jesus would remember him when he came into His kingdom (Luke 23:39, 42). Had he read the sign “King of the Jews”? (:38). What could he possibly have known about the Kingdom? He even called Jesus by name (:42).

Jesus’ answer has given hope to thousands of people down through the course of human history. TODAY. Immediately! Now. Had Jesus discovered faith in the heart of this man who was suffering the same physical agony He experienced? What qualified Him to give assurances now? He looked like a mighty failure, fallen prey to the religious right.

Typical of Jesus, He prefaced His answer with His usual “I tell you the truth” (:43). It’s a truth we need to hear today. It brings comfort at the moment of death. “Today you will be with Me” (:43) Where was this King of the Jews going? Didn’t everyone who died go to Hades, the place of the dead? He leaves this man in no doubt. The truth is He was going to Paradise. PARADISE?

Perhaps in his whole life this unfortunate human being had no hope of ever being in Paradise. And now the flicker of recognition from his heart to God’s brought him the promise he had never dreamed possible. He wouldn’t have to wait for it either. Paradise is the abode of God – Heaven. Jesus gave His disciples a glimpse of Paradise when he told them about Abraham and Lazarus in Paradise, and the rich man’s conversation out of the torments of hell (Luke 16:22). Here was another social leper, a pariah surprised by Jesus’ promise to honour his dying faith and to bring him to Paradise. There has been controversy about where Jesus was during the time he was in the grave, but this clearly indicates he went to Paradise. There He greeted this man who believed in Him. What a glorious picture of God’s mercy and grace. It is never too late!

Reflection:

Reviewing this event, did your heart swell with joy at the compassionate discernment of our Saviour who was willing to let another sinner into Paradise on the whispered prayer of faith?

Did that joy remind you of your own experience when you met the Master face to face and longed to follow Him, whether it was here on earth or into heaven?

Who are you praying for today – that one you long to see whispering a prayer of faith?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional · Uncategorized

Identity Crisis

May 14, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Philippians 3

Some years ago a phrase was coined that described peoples’ search for meaning in life – “I need to find myself”. Many men and women stopped going to school, quit their jobs, or bailed on relationships during the process of trying to discover who they were. What futility!

Little children display so much potential from an early age. Was it a failure then, in parenting, which caused them to feel they were lost, unworthy, inadequate? Did they have unrealistic expectations about the meaning of life? Where did they lose that wonderful confidence so often natural to children, in their own abilities? What had people been taught to so unsettle their internal security?

When someone introduces you to a stranger what is your greatest identifying feature, the greatest thing you would like people to know about you? Is it that you have a degree? …or does your marital status define you? Perhaps some great skill or talent ensures you are a person of worth. Every human being needs affirmation of their personhood, whether known for their great heart for people, or for their intellectual accomplishments, their kindness or whatever it is that makes them feel significant.

How sad is it that people with education and intelligence, skills and talent, and even a measure of charisma are uncertain of what they can contribute to our world. How many comedians feel absolutely worthless while giving such pleasure to so many people? Yet we have all read stories about those who may seem underprivileged reaching out to others to bring joy, satisfied with their lot. We marvel at the inequities of life that bring self-acceptance to some yet not to others.

The Apostle Paul remarked on his pedigree, in more than one of his letters. To the Philippians he seemed rather proud of the fact he was circumcised, an Israelite who kept the law, of the tribe of Benjamin – significant because Judah and Benjamin joined together as the spiritual stronghold in Israel. The other 10 tribes formed a northern alliance, which was less than Godly. He bragged about being a “Hebrew of the Hebrews (3:5-6), a zealous Pharisee who persecuted the Church. Before his conversion he saw himself, with legalistic pride, as faultless.

At least he didn’t have to “find himself” – or did he? Thankfully God arrested his attention on the Damascus road where Paul discovered that, for all his good works, he failed to measure up to God’s standard and therefore needed to be forgiven of his sins. What an amazing discovery Paul made! “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things” (Philippians 3:8).

Now he identified with Jesus Christ. He considered the greatness of his relationship with Jesus sufficient reason for losing all those other things – pedigree, position, even protector of his faith, which had been so important to him before. We are celebrating Mother’s Day this month. May each and every one sense the love of God for them personally, today. What an honour to be called a daughter of Almighty God! With or without children, we have so much to offer when we are secure in Him!

Reflection:

What is it that secures your identity?

Has God ever arrested your attention? Reflect on that occasion. What have you learned?

Do you have the reason, the means, the skill and the compassion to help other find their identity in Christ?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Promises!

May 6, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

1 Kings 8:56

“Not one word has failed of all the good promises He gave through His servant Moses”

What an amazing portion of scripture that reassures us in our moments of doubt and confusion, those difficult times when we don’t understand what is happening in our lives! Many people in the throes of disillusionment have exclaimed “Promises! Promises!” despairing that they might ever rely on anyone’s word again. Yet here it is – over generations of time, God’s reputation is secure, solid, unchanging!

What promise comes most often to your mind? There are so many that God has made, recorded for us in His Word. They cover every possible situation and circumstance. For example:

He has promised to supply every need we have
God promises His grace is sufficient
He promises temptation will not overpower us
God promises His children victory over death

However, we do need to start with the promise of primary importance. Which one is that? Perhaps it is one we are most familiar with “For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him will not perish but have eternal life!” (John 3:16). Then there is another one reminding us “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). However, as we journey through life we know that sin is continually knocking at the door, so we need to remember that “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

These promises pertain to our very life as believers. They establish the foundation upon which all other promises rest, since as God’s children we are privileged to come into His presence and to ask for anything we perceive as needs. Our perceptions are directed as we yield our wills to the power of the Holy Spirit, the person of the Godhead who dwells within. “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you received from God” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

We can attest to the reality of our own experience with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit who prove God’s faithfulness to His promise: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified …. For the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6, repeated in Hebrews 13:5).

Reflection:

Consider why you favour some promises over others, which is certainly not wrong, and why.

How helpful is this for your responsibility to the Kingdom of God?

What do you hear from the heart of God in the promises you read in scripture?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

The God of Mystery

April 29, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Photo by Avery Nielsen-Webb on Pexels.com

Deuteronomy 29:29 Ephesians 3:2-6

Who is God? This is a question asked down through the ages. How many people groups have invented something to worship because they have been created with a god-consciousness that needed a visible object. Therefore, conceptions of God in monotheism [one God] and pantheism, [belief that the divine interpenetrates every part of the universe], or of the supreme deity in henotheism [belief in and worship of a single god while accepting the existence or possible existence of other deities] can extend to various levels of abstraction. What then gives substance to the God of the Bible?

Christians believe the Bible is the revelation of God, authorized by general revelation, through nature (Romans 1:18-21), through God’s providential dealings with mankind (Romans 8:28), through God’s preservation of the universe (Colossians 1:17), and through man’s moral nature (Genesis 1:26, Acts 17:29). God has also revealed Himself through scriptures written over 1,500 years by about 40 different authors, written without contradiction (1 John 5:9-12). Although seen since the beginning of the world (Genesis 1:26), Jesus Christ embodies God to mankind through His incarnation (John 1:18, Hebrews 1:3) (Physical appearance).

However, in man’s haste to know God, there is sometimes a familiarity that tends towards error. We sing about Jesus being the “friend” of sinners – and that He truly is (John 15:13-14). However, that does not rob Him of the mystery of One who is all-knowing (Omniscient), all powerful (Almighty) and Omnipresent. God is eternal and perfectly holy. Those are terms hard for the finite mind of man to understand.

Something else hard to understand is – Why would God show Himself to mankind through a human incarnation? This may be the greatest mystery of all. After all, in creating man God could have made him like angelic beings. They do His bidding, if he wanted to get things done. But man has been created in God’s image…something remarkably unique and totally incomprehensible!

Then the Lord Jesus Christ sent His Divine Spirit to indwell the children of God. What was that all about? Perhaps it gives purpose to the creation of man. “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). One day we will understand many things we cannot grasp here and now. But – we will never be infinite beings. Nor will we ever be eternal. We are created.

Our God is the creative genius who designed a universe which has captured man’s imagination over eons of time. Galaxies are light-years away. Are there universes yet to be discovered? God knows; we do not. Only God could create a plan for our salvation which is perfect. That His love and justice meet on the cross takes us humans by surprise, but this is our God in action, doing for mankind what we cannot do for ourselves!

Reflection:

To truly worship a Supreme Being, that Being must be greater than man’s imagination. This leaves Him shrouded in mystery. God Himself explains: “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). His law is love (Matthew 22:37-40). Once again this takes us back to the cross where self is sacrificed and true love reigns supreme.

What a mighty God we serve!

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)