Glory to God

Psalm 105:45

That they might keep his statutes

                And observe his laws.

Praise the Lord!

It is always amazing to hear voices from the past crying out over the years to ones mind in the present. This verse from scripture brought forth “Dog and Cat Theology.” The basics of this go like this; “You feed me, you love me, you take care of me, you must be God” (Dog theology) the second type of theology “You feed me, you love me, you take care of me, I must be God” (Cat theology). This funny memory was brought forth from the recess of past experience by this verse in Psalm 105. Having read the entire psalm while on autopilot, the key word “that” brought the plane crashing to the ground and a complete re-read was necessary.

The question that required such drastic action was this, what did God do that he expected to reap the result of Israelite gratitude and praise to the point they would desire “keep his statues and observe his laws.” Knowing what a dramatic failure the Israelites were at doing either of these points, and the drastic actions God took to punish their disobedience, what actions did he take to merit their obedience? The answer, he overwhelmed them with kindness, and care for their needs. He provided homes they didn’t build and food they didn’t plant. Imagine farming when all you had to do was harvest. You show up and the combine is already in the field simply waiting for you. No loan is needed to buy it, no fertilizer is needed, the crop is already grown, just harvest and enjoy the abundance of God’s blessing!

God’s judgement came on his people after they chose to “not acknowledge God or give thanks to him” (Romans 1:21). It is amazing to watch as we look around and see “the work of our hands” and choose to rob God of his glory by attributing to luck what was designed by God as a great blessing or attributing to bad luck what was given as warning, rebuke, or lesson for our betterment and encouragement. After all the “hard work” of driving and conquering the inhabitants of the Promise Land, they thought their skill and ability had won the day so they persisted in worshiping “images resembling, mortal man, and birds, and animals, and creeping things” (Joshua 24:23, Rom 1:23).

As Christian’s come to scripture we must realize that it is not simply words but it is also a Mirror. We are given opportunity to see into our own darkened hearts a little more clearly than usual and see how evil our own actions are. How often do I look around and see the things “I have done” and fail to see the hand of God in providing them for me? It was not my hand to provided a strong enough back and knees to do the work, both being things many do not have, nor was it my ingenuity that developed and manufactured the majority of the tools I am blessed to use. My blessing was in partnering with God in doing what he desired to do. I was given much that I might work the field and bring glory to him, not that I might glory in either the field or in my labor. For the both were given by God. Partner with God in the work you have to do, but recognize it was he who blessed you with the job and the strength to do it. Do not play the Israelite who lies in your heart, do not rob God of the glory he so richly deserves.

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise him all creatures here below, praise him above ye heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, AMEN”

Soli Deo Gloria