Thought for Today
Genesis 1:10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good . . . 2:9 Out of the ground the LORD God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. +Luke 6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."
The theme this week for the daily devotionals in These Days is “Pleasing God.” Certainly, for all of God’s children, that is an important and admirable goal. God has created for us and presented to us a Creation “that is pleasant to the sight and good for” both sustenance and joy. There is both utility and beauty in our world, in the flora and fauna, the trees and creatures of our earth. The psalmist summarizes the appropriate response to our God is to “take refuge in him.”
There are both propriety and probity in our taking refuge in God. There is also a reward, "Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” While pleasing God is important, so too is our understanding, appreciating and offering thanks for all God has done for us.
Greta and I grew up along the Texas Gulf Coast. We were raised in proximity to the sandy beaches, salt marshes and seemingly endless expanse of those Gulf shores. There were storms; there were hurricanes; there was beauty and awe-inspiring majesty in that coast.
Greta and I now live in New England. We are close to the northern Atlantic coast. There are some sandy beaches; there are salt marshes; there are storms and (usually less severe) hurricanes. But, generally, the coastlines of northern New England are more rocky than their Gulf relatives. Additionally, the difference in the tidal surge is much greater here. The tidal difference here is often 10 feet or more. Along the Gulf, which has a diurnal pattern (a single high and low tide daily) the difference is much less, generally around 2+ feet.
Where we are today, the high tide water mark on the rocks and jetty posts is much higher than it would be on the piers and jetties of Galveston, Texas. This morning, as we walked along the shore, there is an exposed sand bar allowing low tide access to an adjacent island. It was swarming with adults and children enjoying the beautiful weather and the thrill (?) of walking to an area otherwise inaccessible by foot. Cautious engineer that I am, I would not venture to take that walk without checking the tide tables for the next high tide.
As I read that devotional this morning and took note of the weekly theme, “Pleasing God,” I could not help but be reminded of all God has done to please us. Everywhere I have ever traveled in our country, I have encountered the awe-inspiring majesty of God’s Creation. Whether the soaring heights of the Rockies, the Atlantic, Pacific or Gulf shores, the expanse of the central plains, our Creator God has given us beauty and plenty. God has provided bountifully to please us.
What does God ask in return? Only that we accept God’s gifts. Only that we accept and believe in the greatest gift, God’s Son. And, in return? “Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—” Today, read those verses above; read Micah 6:8; read Luke 10:27. Are you . . . am I pleasing God in response to God’s pleasing us?
Stay safe, offer a pray of thanksgiving, trust God,
Pastor Ray