God and God Alone

Today is Saturday, June 30, 2018. Day 22,024. Last day of June.

“Most men are within a finger’s breadth of being mad.” ~ Diogenes the Cynic, 412-323 BC, The Quotations Page

The word for today is rutilant, “glowing or glittering with ruddy or golden light.”

It looks like our favorite local BBQ place has finally reopened. Lone Star BBQ, which used to be located about a block from our Kroger store, closed that location almost a year ago, stating that the new location would be opening in November. Eight months later, they have finally reopened. We plan to have lunch there today. Or at least we’re going to pick it up and bring it home, which is what we usually do, anyway. Unfortunately, it appears that the new location does not have a drive-through. That’s okay, though.

The Red Sox were embarrassed by the Yankees last night, losing 8-1. They should have bunted more. Sabathia was pitching. Oh, well. Their record is now 55-28, and they are in second place in the AL East, by .008 percentage points. Virtual tie, actually.

The Rangers exploded on the Other Sox, last night, scoring ten runs in three innings. They held on to win 11-3. This puts them at 37-46, nine games below .500 and 17.5 out in the AL West. As Yogi Berra once said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

Baltimore continues to be the worst in baseball, having now lost six consecutive games. They are on a pace to lose 117 games. The most losses ever was the 1962 Mets, who lost 120 games. In recent years (fifteen years ago), the Detroit Tigers lost 119 games. The worst season percentage in the modern era was the 1916 Philadelphia Phillies, who finished the season with a 36-117 record, for a percentage of .235. The O’s are currently at .284.

Tomorrow, we will be continuing our series on the Sabbath, and I will continue my “break” from playing keys in our worship gathering. I hope to spend some more time in the study, today, learning how to use my new Cubase recording software. As soon as I get something accomplished that is worthy of sharing, I will do so, probably through Soundcloud.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! 
Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” 
Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” 
Let those who fear the LORD say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” 
Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. 
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 
The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. 
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. 
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. 
All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 
They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 
They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 
I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me.
Psalm 118:1-13

Several things to note in this passage. First, the words “steadfast love” are often translated as “mercy.” Those seem to be interchangeable. Second, verses 5-7. When we call upon the Lord in our distress, he will answer; he will deliver. Verse 6 is powerful. “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Emphasis added) I love this truth. It is because of truths such as this that Dallas Willard once said, “This world is a perfectly safe place for us to be.” What is the worst thing that men can do to me? Send me “home.” It’s almost like “punishing” a child by sending him to his room, where all his toys are. The worst possible thing men can do to me is kill me, which would release my soul from this tormented body and send it home to be with the Lord for all eternity. So what do I have to fear?

Finally, verses 8-9 speak volumes, especially in the current U.S. culture. “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” I like the way The Message says this: “Far better to take refuge in GOD than trust in people; Far better to take refuge in GOD than trust in celebrities.” I choose to trust and take refuge in God. I will not put my trust in celebrities. I will not put my trust in “princes” (i.e. Presidents and other politicians). I will put my trust in God and God alone.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, I have been reading Job, recently. Today I get to chapter 38. The one where God decides to answer. I would love to be able to see the faces of Job and his “friends” when God speaks up: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.” (Verses 2-3) I think this could easily apply to any of us, today, as well, as we, all to often, wax eloquently about our “knowledge” of God, when, in fact, we truly know very little. He is, after all, infinite, and we are the opposite of that.

The Lord continues: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?” If I were one of Job’s friends, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t still be sitting there. Or perhaps I might be face down in sheer terror.

This line of questioning will continue for several chapters. Do I think God is angry? Not 100% sure, but I don’t think so. I can almost see God (even though I have no idea what he looks like) asking these questions with a bit of a smirk on his face.

At any rate, I think we would do well to read and meditate on the last few chapters of Job. Again, making reference to Romans 9, But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”

Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. 
Psalm 25:4

One of my memory verses, I believe this short verse to be a most magnificent prayer, and one that God would be sure to answer. There are other verses in Psalms that request the same thing. In fact, my life verse, also makes this request.

Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
Psalm 86:11

I desire to know his ways for no other reason than to walk in his truth. I do not desire riches or fame, or even perfect health. All of those things are nice. But my heart’s desire is to know his ways, that I might walk in his truth, in his kingdom, and that my heart might not be divided. God and God alone . . .

Father, you alone are “fit to take the universe’s throne.” You alone are worthy of our worship and praise. You alone are worthy of our devotion. Teach us your ways; show us your path; teach us to love you and walk in your truth and your kingdom. Show us the things that divide our hearts. And teach us not to trust in men and “celebrities.”
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Dear Father always near us, may your name be treasured and loved, may your rule be completed in us – may your will be done here on earth in just the way it is done in heaven. Give us today the things we need today, and forgive us our sins and impositions on you as we are forgiving all who in any way offend us. Please don’t put us through trials, but deliver us from everything bad. Because you are the one in charge, and you have all the power, and the glory too is all yours – forever – which is just the way we want it! (Dallas Willard)

Grace and peace, friends.