- araratchurch
- Apr 18, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 22, 2022
“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.”
Psalms 19:1-6 NKJV
It’s interesting to read about some of the hidden elements that have been discovered in famous works of art. As a matter fact, many artists are known for hiding messages, images, symbols, and so forth, in their works. Some artists go to great extremes to obscure their actual signature; you have to really look for it. With advancements in modern technology, paintings, hundreds of years old, are surrendering all sorts of “secrets.” The modern “eye” may find that what seemed to be just a picture of this or that, actually has layers of messaging, now made manifest. Interestingly, in more than one painting, tiny self-portraits of the artists are revealed through more advanced scrutiny.
Now, you probably have figured out that this isn’t a discussion of the marvels and mysteries found in old paintings. Rather, this is a discussion of creators; specifically, one great Creator: our God and Father.
In God’s confrontation with Job’s questioning of His ways, the Lord challenges him to explain creation, dramatically pointing out the fact that Job didn’t have anything to do with creation. God deliberately painted Himself in everything He has created, and was reminding Job that he need only look at the creation to be humbled before the Lord.
The apostle Paul—when explaining the fact that no one can say that they are ignorant concerning the existence of God and His mighty power—uses creation as being the ultimate proof of God, clear for all to see.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
Romans 1:18-21 NKJV
Incredibly, as technology has advanced, revealing formerly hidden secrets about the creation, rather than the idea of God being extinguished, He is being confirmed!
In our passage from Psalms today we see that David is expressing the fact that God is written in His creation. He represents creation as being the ultimate evangelist, heralding layered information about the Creator. Indeed, David’s words are referenced by Paul in his discussion concerning Faith.
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.””
Romans 10:17-18 NKJV
Apparently, David never lost the awe he had experienced as a youth, observing the interactions of animals, the splendor of God’s plantings, and the unmeasurable scope of the heavens above. He could “hear” the wonderful stories being told about the Creator by the created.
Now, It’s completely understandable to look around at all the things that are going on in the world and to begin to feel alienated and alone, sometimes maybe even questioning where God is in all of this. But, if you look just past man’s chaotic machinations, you will see evidence of the Lord’s presence. Indeed, He is found all around!
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
Creation: God’s name is written all over it.
- araratchurch
- Apr 15, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 22, 2022
“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.”
Psalms 16:9-10 NKJV
Not long before my father passed into the arms of the Lord, as we were sitting together, he asked if I knew what happened to the caterpillar in the cocoon. Thinking this to be a rhetorical question, I quickly answered that I did. To which he remarked, “Well you don’t need to hear what I have to say about it.” Realizing that he wanted to expound on this topic, I implored him to speak on. He then went on to elaborate. He explained that the caterpillar doesn’t go into the cocoon and just grow wings and experience a change in bodily form. But rather—in that secret place—the caterpillar is reduced to a sort of goo, out of which the new creature—the butterfly—is formed. We both knew he was referencing what would be his own death. He would soon go into his own secret place. We then shared an unspoken moment of reflection on the events that lie ahead.
You see, my father did not fear death. Of course, he appreciated this life and also wanted to continue to be with us. But, he had no dread of it “all being over.” He knew that he would rise again!
Now, the hope of our own bodily resurrection is based on the resurrection of our dear Lord.
“For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.”
I Corinthians 15:16-23 NKJV
Although we know that to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8); because of the resurrection of our Lord we also have hope for a renewed, resurrected body at His coming!
In our portion from Psalms today we see that David—speaking from the perspective of our Lord—rejoiced that—though He would die—He would not see corruption!
Indeed, this day in our journey with David, falls on what we celebrate as Good Friday. On this day we observe the death and burial of our Lord. Having endured unspeakable suffering, He released his spirit from His body and was dead.
“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
John 19:30 NKJV
But, as David says in His prophetic words regarding Christ, His body would not see corruption. He would rise again!
Paul references these words, spoken through David, in the Book of Acts:
“God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’ And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’ Therefore He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’ “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.”
Acts 13:33-37 NKJV
Praise God, our hope in the Lord transcends this life! If you have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord (King) of your life, you don’t have to worry about it all being over when you lay this body down!
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
It was finished; but it’s not over.
- araratchurch
- Apr 15, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 18, 2022
“He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places.”
Psalms 18:33 NKJV
I have watched with awe, videos of mountain goats scaling or descending mountain shears, seemingly effortlessly. And, if that weren’t enough, I’ve seen them jumping from one “invisible” ledge to another!
From what I understand, among the characteristics making them able to do these awesome maneuvers are their agility, body structure, and good eyesight. However, the main feature that makes them able to do these amazing feats (you’ll discover that this is a pun), is their hooves. You see, rather than having flat hooves, their hooves are split into two parts, making them able to grab on to the smallest of protrusions in the rock face. Additionally, their hooves are rubbery, giving them traction. They also have—at the back of their hooves—what are similar to claws, used to help slow their descent when coming down the steep slopes.
So, obviously I love animals; and, watching this type of incredible behavior is thrilling, but also kind of scary. You see, the kids actually begin doing these climbing maneuvers at one to two days old! Even more fantastical than watching them make these maneuvers is the fact that they rarely fall. Generally, when they do fall, it’s males fighting each other during mating season. Also, the tiny kids may fall due to inexperience. However, in both of these cases, falling is still rare.
Now, whereas mountain goats might scale steep slopes in search of food (when food is scarce at lower levels), the main reason for their ability seems to be to protect them from predators. You see, most of the main predators of mountain goats—mountain lions, bobcats, wolves, coyotes, bears—dare not pursue them on the steep slopes; they are not equipped to do so without falling.
In our portion from Psalms today we see that David references the fact that the Lord has given him “deer’s feet.” No doubt he had seen goats traversing rocky cliffs, marveling, as do I, at their elegance. But notice, another thing that he points out is that the Lord had put him on these high places! Why had the Lord put him on these high, dangerous, places? Well, the inference is that the Lord had put him in these dangerous places to stop a pursuing “predator.”
I don’t think that many people would actually sign up to be in extremely dangerous places, literally or figuratively speaking, let alone to do so when being pursued by an enemy! But you see, that’s just it; the Lord may put us in treacherous situations—not to destroy us—but to preserve us! Additionally, if he puts us in a treacherous situation, He also equips us with the ability to navigate within it without falling or being destroyed.
When we find ourselves in situations that seem to be high, narrow, and severe—with the added element of being pursued by an enemy—we must understand that God may be doing this to protect us from a ravening wolf!
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
The Lord may put you in a difficult situation in order to protect you from your enemies; but He will also give you the ability to navigate it.