Verse of the Day 12/22

Verse of the Day 12/22

 

Psalm 77:14-15  You are the God of great wonders!
    You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations.
¹⁵ By your strong arm, you redeemed your people,
    the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.   New Living Translation (NLT)

 

How many of you stepped outside last night just after sunset to see the Christmas star?  Jupiter and Saturn came close to one another in the sky to appear as one for a few brief moments, yet they were actually 450 million miles from one another.  Some may have been underwhelmed by the size of it but regardless, it was an event that only occurs every eight hundred years.  It is another example of God's handiwork in creation.

 

At Christmas we celevbrate the time when "God came near" in the form of Jesus.  He came a lot closer than 450 million miles, as John 1:14 says in The Message, "Jesus moved into the neighborhood".  We may stand in awe of things we see in creation but how much more should we be awed and inspired by the fact that as today's verse indicates, that God came to redeem His people through Jesus.  That includes you and me.

 

Reading today's veres in my devotions this morning, especially the words "God of great wonders", brought the Third Day Song "God of Wonders" to mind.

 

Lord of all creation
Lord of water, earth and sky
The heavens are your Tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on high!

 

And God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares your majesty
You are holy, holy

Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth

 

So early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
As I stumble in the darkness
I will call your name by night

 

God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares your majesty
You are holy, holy

 

David expressed similar wonder in Psalm 8 when he wrote:

 

Psalm 8:3-4 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
⁴ what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?

 

At Christmas we celebrate the fact that God was so "mindful" of sinful man that He did more than come near, He sent His Son to redeem us.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

 

Psalm 77:11-15 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹¹ I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
¹² I will ponder all your work,
    and meditate on your mighty deeds.
¹³ Your way, O God, is holy.
    What god is great like our God?
¹⁴ You are the God who works wonders;
    you have made known your might among the peoples.
¹⁵ You with your arm redeemed your people,
    the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah