The Creator had a plan . . .

 

READ Psalm 113–118

Attention-deficit people are easily distracted, yet whatever distracted them can hold their attention like an obsession. This is hard to live with. This morning, I opened my computer and a search engine with a plan to start devotions. However, I was distracted by a wearable art photo. That led to watching a few videos that make tame the costumes on “The Masked Singer.” Then a clipping on my desk for a local quilting group caught my attention. Searching for it took me to their website with its creative display, then to another one of a person who creates quilts for those who order them . . . with a price list, a rare find, and they were also beautiful. All this delay took me off an already slow start to the day. Finally, the devotional reading . . .

Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! . . . . Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? (Psalm 113:2–3; 5–6)

Actually, my detour into the wonders of wearable art showed me something. We are made in the image of our Creator, meaning we are creative. God’s creation is utterly amazing. While non-believing people try to figure out how this world happened, I see the glory of God in all of it, just as He intended.

For what can be known about God is plain . . .  because God has shown it . . . his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made . . . . Yet although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. (Romans 1:18–23)

This negative reality is obvious in the wearable art creations. Although we are made in God’s image, when humans create anything apart from knowing Him, those creations are not like His. God’s work is not only beautiful but functional. Even the tiniest creature fits in the plan of God. None of those ‘costumes’ were functional, and many were grotesque rather than lovely. I’m aware that God can use human creativity to reflect His glory, but without Him, our work falls short.

The psalmist rightly says, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!” (Psalm 115:1) In the world of art and creativity, the things made often are given more reverence than is due them, not necessarily religiously intended, yet idols, nonetheless. But . . .

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them. (115:4–8)

Again, the work of my hands is nothing like the work of God. Artistic efforts may have function and even beauty — to a degree, but all fall short compared to the work of our Creator. This includes redemption. Our efforts cannot come close to what He has done:

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. (116:5–9)

Salvation’s lovely reality puts me in awe. I cannot come close to duplicating it. My part . . .

I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord. (116:17)

I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it . . . .  Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! (118:21–24; 29)

All this might make one assume that God easily distracted too, because when He saw our sin and helplessness, He did not focus there but turned from His wrath and sent Jesus to pay our penalty instead of giving us what our sin deserved. However, His Word is clear: a grand display of grace and mercy was His plan all along.

 

God can use a ‘scattered’ mind . . .

Our Bible study group discussed the amazing gift of eyesight. One man wondered if our eyes are created to see certain things and not others, just as the eyes of animals, birds, insects, etc. see what they need to see. Because of devotions in Revelation, I agreed. John saw things that we cannot normally see. He saw the future and was given a glimpse of spiritual realities that are usually invisible to our eyes.

For instance, he saw Satan and his cohorts cast out of heaven and thrown to the earth. He saw this Liar and Destroyer pursue Israel and try to destroy them. He saw God’s protection as He rescued them and then saw the battle between the devil  and God’s people, a battle that is ongoing and furious. He could see what we know happened then and later, but our eyes cannot see this spiritual war. We just know the reality of it.

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea. (Revelation 12:7–17)

This enemy accuses me and does other nasty things, usually to keep me from praying. One devotional book says that all these battles “are given by the Master for the explicit purpose of enabling you to win your crown.” This book also challenges me that his efforts are not about ideal situations or far-away emergencies, but the conditions of life today. That is, my crown lies embedded in the hardships and trials that pressure me right now — namely keeping my focus and not allowing distractions to sidetrack me from the work of praying, a work that God has affirmed many times.

Satan tries accusation but I know that Jesus has totally forgiven everything. If the enemy says I am unworthy to pray, that only drives me to pray in the name of Jesus. Satan is more successful with distraction. Today I am encouraged by a devotional writer who says my crown lies there. If I am faithful to pray anyway, God can use my easily distracted thoughts to pull me, to draw my mind to His will and give me the issues and words needed for praying accordingly. God uses the very issue that Satan uses, not to stop me from praying but give me thoughts that He wants me to discuss with Him. Today I realize that my ‘problem’ is God’s design for me!

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Jesus, I know that Satan opposes everything You do and Your will for my life. I shouldn’t be shocked or annoyed at the trials of life that threaten the work You have given me. I need to always be prepared and even rejoice. As I’ve been told, these battles reveal I am “a threat to Satan’s system and an asset to Christ’s Kingdom” — and that is totally amazing.

Today’s thankful list . . .

- an especially intimate time of prayer today.

- a good whack at my to-do list.

- a long and needed nap.

- the herb Aero garden that is producing more than we can use!

- the smell of fresh bread.