Sue O'Donnell. 28.01.21
“If you obey the commands of the LORD your God and walk in His ways, the LORD will establish you as His holy people as He swore He would do frequently. Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the LORD, and they will stand in awe of you.” (Deuteronomy 28 v 9, 10 NLT)
Should we not prayerfully ponder
The works of the Lord God Almighty,
Powerful in effect, His results being truly beautiful?
The Creator, our Father, together with
The Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit,
Commissioned and commanded all the work of creation.
Nation by nation we see the glory
Written upon earth affecting our human story.
Sparkling stars strewn into space,
Each one with its own appointed place.
Light burning bright from a golden sun,
With the night time glory of the moon,
Whereupon earth is bathed in the splendour of softer silver light.
The star spangled heavens arch over the wide earth
With planets revolving, evolving in outer space.
What a truly most wondrous design,
All the works of the Lord are supremely fine.
Who made the mountains, highered the hills?
Why make flowing water running over flats and rills?
Some water fresh, flowing in river or stream,
Whilst salt water flows pulled by the moon’s beam.
God shaped the lands separated by sea,
Outstanding beauty is found in every country.
Flowers, fauna and fish a fine spectacle,
Animals in the wild to amaze us and domesticated pets most endearing to delight us.
Four separate seasons in certain areas,
Whilst tropics and arctics contrast incredibly.
Who marked time, its beginning, its awaited end?
Who came from heaven, perfect love which is holy to send?
The Lord God of history, almighty, supreme,
A sovereign power behind every sunbeam.
Gifting humanity a questioning, searching mind,
Till seeking, searching, satisfied we find truth.
The truth dwelling in light so bright, it seems inaccessible,
Yet the Word of Life arrives in a way most notable.
The Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity,
Divests of divinity to temporarily take on humanity.
He answers many questions by the way He does live,
Glory to God uppermost on His heart to give.
This Brother is notable as our Saviour,
You find in Him so many an answer.
Why this is so, it is easy to see,
For the One who created our world,
Also gave life to you and to me!
Love takes on a holy power of creativity,
Shaped in the natural world by breathtaking beauty.
But possibly more wondrous than all of this,
Is all that progresses when we come to faith.
Faith in Christ Jesus, God’s living Word,
Ever there to be obeyed, honoured, as heard.
Us in Christ Jesus and He in us,
Our life on earth is one of good, God made progress.
Holiness is learned, practised, protected,
This is our life God given in Christ Jesus.
For the Third Person, the Paraclete within the Trinity,
Is the One we meet with to make us holy.
Then the welfare of this particular planet of beauty
Is enhanced and guaranteed when we live safeguarded prayerfully.
“Be on your guard and especially take care to be of one heart and mind...” (St Angela Merici)
“There is only one sign that is pleasing to the Lord, that of loving and being united in one another.” (St Angela Merici)
Lord, Your wishes for Israel, Your promise to them was out of loving mercy, later applied to all of us. All are included in the wonder and marvel of creation. Thank You for the gift of life on this outstandingly beautiful
planet.
We look out at the solar system, the sun, the moon and the stars, and we stand in awe of the work of Your hands. Beauty draws up the wellspring of praise.
“When I look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers – the moon and the stars set in place – what are mere mortals that You should think about them, human beings that You should care for them?” (Psalm 8 v 3, 4 NLT)
“The heavens proclaim the glory of God, the sky displays His craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make themselves known. They speak without a sound or word.” (Psalm 19 v 1, 2, 3 NLT)
You have “Made a home in the heavens for the sun. It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.” (based on v 4, 5)
Without this light and heat all of life would wither and die. Yet “The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end,” (v 6) so all of life can flourish.
You have put us in charge “...of everything You made...the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds of the sky, the fish in the sea and everything that swims in the ocean currents.” (Psalm 8 v 6, 7, 8)
“O LORD, our Lord, Your majestic name fills the earth!” (v 9) “I will praise You LORD, with all my heart. I will tell of all the marvellous things You have done. I will be filled with joy because of You,” (Psalm 9 v 1, 2 NLT) because of Your power and glory.
Father, God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, Lord, “I will sing praises to Your name, O Most High,” (v 2) most holy, majestic and almighty Trinity.
In all majesty and power You visit us in the Person of the Lord Jesus, our Redeemer Saviour, our Shepherd, our Messiah and Brother, the living hope, Your Word, Father, brought to us by Your Spirit.
We bow before You and worship, grateful for the re-creation of fallen humanity, reliant upon the merciful forgiveness won for us at the †of saving rescue.
In turning to the Lord Jesus by means of the Holy Spirit, we discover the holy wisdom and truth we are to live by, promote, share, building up the heavenly kingdom upon earth.
The life we are given flourishes through holiness, for peace and justice reign, kindness and love rule, just as our Saviour taught us. This message of life is no longer to favour just Israel. What goodness!
Dearest Father, You said, speaking to the Lord Jesus, “ ‘You will do more than restore the people of Israel to Me. I will make You a light to the Gentiles and you will bring back My salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49 v 6 NLT)
This is the light of Your love and mercy, bright shining over us even more radiantly than the burning sun. Nor is this light, or rather the One behind the light, inaccessible. You have gifted mankind a Saviour Brother
forever.
The Lord Jesus rose from the dead because life is stronger than death, love is more powerful by far than the hatred which caused the Lord Jesus’ crucifixion. The human flock is not without an all loving shepherd’s care and attention at all times.
Holy love coming from the Trinity blesses us profoundly, incredibly so, thank You. We discover we need no longer be afraid nor anxious about anything in the world, for You together, three Persons in one loving
identity, act for us.
“The Lord is near; so there is no need to be anxious about anything.” (Philippians 4 v 4 The Truth)
Prayer is the answer to everything that perplexes, troubles or frightens us. We can, thankfully, “Pray about everything, following our petitions with thanksgiving whenever we ask any grace or favour from You,
Lord God.” (based on v 6)
It is truly wondrous, most marvellous that You are able to do and will do out of love for us, so much more, infinitely more than we would think to ask for, dream of, hope for or even imagine.
This all happens through the power of love in Christ Jesus, made real, active and effective for us, with us, in us, amongst us, by the Holy Spirit. May Your glory ever be revealed, honoured, praised by us, Your family in
each successive generation.
May we then, live by faith prayerfully always looking to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and correction, motivation and inspiration, power and authority, ever revealing the wisdom and truth we must live by, that
which our Saviour Brother shares with us.
Thank You that this happens to keep us in Your love, Father God, now today and eternally, according to Your love and mercy, especially the forgiveness won for us at the †of the King of Glory.
“Now to Him who is able to prevent us from stumbling and who can, with joy, present us perfect in His glorious Presence, to You the only God our Saviour, be glory, majesty, might and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord throughout all ages, now and forever. Amen! It shall be so! (Jude 24, 25 The Truth)
Thank You holy Trinity, for this the most precious gift of life, a new life shaped, secured and blessed by You because we possess You, we belong to You, to the holy. All praise, all thanks ever, ever be. Amen.
Images by Artist Christine Garwood
http://www.christinegarwoodartist.co.uk/
Season
Key Themes
ADORATION
BEAUTY
