Spoken To

  

 

  The Mighty One, God the LORD,
        SPEAKS and SUMMONS the earth
        from the rising of the sun to its setting...
    Our God comes; HE DOES NOT KEEP SILENCE;
        before Him is a devouring fire,
        around Him a mighty tempest...
    Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
        and perform your vows to the Most High,
    and call upon me in the day of trouble;
        I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me...”
        The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
        to one who orders his way rightly
        I will show the salvation of God!”

Psalm 50:1,3,14-15,23

This morning as I was still lying in bed, I said, "Lord, I wish that you would speak to me in a different way other than just your Word.  I'd like something really concrete." (paraphrased.  I can't remember my exact words.)  Anyway, instant conviction came over me, because I realize that God's Word is concrete--the most concrete thing in our lives.  It never changes and will never cease to be.  A favorite pastor in my life once said that "the Bible is Jesus Christ in written form." 

Then I got out of bed, made my tea and began to read the Psalm for today.  More conviction!  How in the world could I even think such a thought?  God has spoken in so many ways!  Many days when I look out my upstairs window I see the most beautiful sunsets.   God speaks in the morning and summons the earth with a beautiful sunrise.  And He continues to do it throughout the day, the sunset being another reminder of His presence.

Nature itself--the drought and the rain and the storms and the calm--all of creation are the voice of the Lord.  We cannot help but see through our inability to control what He controls, that He is God.

And who can deliver us in the day of trouble besides Almighty God?  We are helpless creatures, and failing to call upon the Lord brings us to a point of recognition that we cannot in and of ourselves do anything to save ourselves.  He speaks by delivering us in the day of trouble.

The last verse in this Psalm gives us one of the most beautiful ways in which God speaks to us.  He shows us His salvation as we order our way rightly, as we give ourselves to Him.

Thank you, Lord, for rebuking me through your Word.  Thank you for speaking to me in your many and various ways.  Thank you!

 

Offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving,

Gloria