I was recently visiting with one of our farmers and he was telling me about how good some of the yields are in his fields. He said it’s amazing what kind of crop God can produce with so little rain during the most critical growing stage this summer.
And then I’ve had at last three conversations in the past ten days with people who are facing significant health issues; each of them shared with me about how they were experiencing the power and presence of God.
Add to it, my cousin’s daughter and her husband recently buried their 12 day old baby girl who died from significant birth defects. And yet she spoke of how she experienced the comfort and grace of God in those 12 days.
On top of that, yesterday a gal shared with me how God had done an amazing work of reconciliation in the midst of some conflicted relationships.
Oh and then I mustn’t forget the testimony of a couple from Woodstock that I will be marrying in a few weeks. In doing their homework the future husband shared with me how God clearly warned him about being harsh with his fiancée while doing his homework. He was overwhelmed with how much God loved him.
When spending some time reflecting on where I’ve seen God at work lately, the Spirit reminded me of Psalm 145. Let me encourage you to spend a few minutes meditating on each verse of this Psalm.
1 I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. 2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. 3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. 5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works. 6 They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds. 7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. 8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. 9 The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. 10 All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you. 11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, 12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. 14 The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. 17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. 18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. 20 The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. 21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
OK after meditating for just a few minutes on the verses above, what praise is on your lips in regards to how the Lord has been revealing himself to you. What attribute of God do you celebrate today? What wonderful work of God could you tell your kids or grandkids about?
Feeling overwhelmed by my God the King,
Mike Altena