We never tire of taking in a sunrise or sunset. I am blessed to live next to a body of water that the sun rises over almost every morning (well is rises every morning but sometimes it is blocked or partially blocked by clouds or fog). I love to track its orbit as its rise and fall over the horizon, shifts with the changing of the seasons. When traveling, I love to capture a sunrise or sunset on my iPhone in different settings and terrains such as country or city, oceans or mountains, green pastures or still waters, plains or trees. I have hundreds if not thousands of pictures I have captured through the past ten years or so. Why? When I see a beautifully painted sunrise or sunset it reminds me of the grandeur and majesty of the Creator as his beauty, power, wisdom and many other divine traits are reflected uniquely in each and every sunrise.
Since the Lord lifted me and healed me of a deep, dark, debilitating depression that I struggled with for ten months, I have been camping out in the Psalm’s. The Monday after Thanksgiving, I began Book Four which is comprised of Psalms 90-106. These Psalms lead us to new, fresh, bold worship of our Great Creator and Savior. Many of the Psalms call out the greatness of God’s power, wisdom, knowledge and might by pointing out major aspects of God’s Creation such as the sun and moon, mountains and oceans, animals and plants, and more. Psalm 104 pours forth pictures of the greatness of our God. It is titled, “O Lord My God, You are Very Great, ESV”. Take a few minutes and read this Psalm. As you read it, slow down and let your imagination become active, thinking of pictures you have seen recently or on trips in your life. A few that come to mind are the grandeur of the mighty Rockies, the beauty of The Garden of the God’s, the purity of snow covered mountains at Copper Mountain, the amazing colors and magnitude of the sun rising or setting over the ocean. Also, as I read this Psalm I thought of the power of God (termed “Acts of God” by Insurance Policies) demonstrated in storms, hurricanes and tornados, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanos, and forest fires. (For another passage that depicts God’s greatness as revealed in his creation, see Isaiah 40)
As the writers of the Psalms and Isaiah penned these words I can imagine them on a beach, a mountain, in a forest or jungle, or under the cool shade of a tree. Our culture does not afford as many opportunities in our everyday lives to see these daily and seasonal demonstrations of God’s creativity, wisdom, power, and glory as God’s people had in ancient times before the arrival of the phone, phonograph, television, movie theater, smart phones, tablets, 24 hour streaming, office buildings, finely constructed homes, malls, indoor recreational areas and more. Outdoors manufactures such as REI, Outdoor World, Bass Pro Shop and others thrive because people long to be outdoors to enjoy nature through camping, hiking, walking, mountain climbing and biking, cycling and many other excuses to get out of the house or the city and soak in some sun, feel the coolness or warmth of a breeze, smell the aroma of fresh cut grass or flowers in bloom, view the dark blue sky or billions of stars, planets and galaxies on a clear night. Even without having the bible to make the connection you would almost think that something or someone instilled in people a love and appreciation of the natural world (which is really the supernatural created and sustained world of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit).
Last week as I was making my trek through this section of Psalms, I read a passage that stopped me in my tracks. It seemed the Spirit was opening my mind and understanding to a well-known and established truth of the future with greater clarity and anticipation.
Psalm 102:25–28 (ESV) “Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass way, but you are the same, and your years have no end. The children of your servants shall dwell secure and their offspring shall be established before you.”
Though there is such beauty, stability, grandeur, power and many of attributes of God revealed in His creation (Psalm 8,19), the best is yet to come! As you journey through this Christmas season take time to remember God’s great works and words as revealed in Creation, the Patriarch’s, the Exodus, Wilderness Journeys, claiming the Promised Land, the Kings such as David and Solomon. But especially during this season review and remember the prophecies of the coming Messiah (Isaiah 9:2-7) and the sacrifice he would make as the Lamb of God (Isaiah 52:13-53:12; John 1:29). Take time to zero in on the advent of the Savior, the Word becoming Flesh (John 1:1-14), the joy and singing of angels and shepherds, the worship of wise man, light and hope flooding the dark, degraded world of the first century after 400 years of prophetic and revelatory silence. Soak it all in as you visit family, sing carols, bake sweets, exchange gifts and worship through Christmas eve services in person or virtually. Slow down, be still, and quiet your mind from all the hustle and bustle that this season has become. Take advantage of Covid 19 to withdraw from the crowds into intimacy with family, friends and with your loving Lord and Savior. But don’t stop there!
The Messiah who entered this world humbly and without pageantry, lived a simple life, died a sacrificial death on a criminals cross, buried in a borrowed tomb, resurrected to life after three days, appeared to disciples and witnesses for forty days, and ascended before not more than a hundred people or more, is coming back! As we try to comprehend creation in all its wonder and glory, which is impossible, we realize that we haven’t seen anything yet compared to the work He will do at his second coming. The writer of Psalm 102 who begins with a cry for God to hear his prayer, make his presence known in his day of trouble and distress, and describes his days and condition, “For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace. My heart is struck down like grass and has withered; I forget to eat my bread. Because of my moaning my bones cling to my flesh” (102:4,5) concludes with these powerful words of faith and confidence and anticipation that the God of Creation (25), who never changes (26a, 27) will destroy this present world and introduce a new heaven and new earth. “They will perish…they will wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away” (26). The Apostle John wrote in Revelation 21:1–7 (ESV) “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”
As I read these words the image that came to my mind was of the mighty and powerful hands of God and the voice of God that created this world and called it good (Genesis 1,2). This same Alpha and Omega will destroy this world, casting it off as you would dirty clothes to take a shower, throwing them in the corner or the clothes hamper. The holy and powerful hands of God taking all of creation and crumpling it up as you would a piece of paper containing a story that was flawed or incomplete and throwing it in the waste basket or garbage can to begin again. God will remove this world as you would a soiled or torn robe to put on a whole and clean garment. In all of this God remains the same and his years have no end (James 1:17; Hebrews 13:8). He has plans for the world and his children more amazing and glorious than we can imagine or begin to dream. The writer who begins with fear and uncertainty, pain and distress ends with these words, “The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you” (101:28).
Brothers and sisters, take heart this Christmas season as you, and I, and our communities, cities, states, nations and the entire world try to navigate and respond to Covid 19. Nations are in turmoil, including our own America the Beautiful as she tries to find footing with the changing of President and administrations. As you navigate some of life’s difficulties and obstacles, reflect and remember your Creator, Savior, and Coming King and proclaim hope, peace, comfort and joy! Look for opportunities to lift praise to our Savior and bring hope to a hurting and broken world. Be aware of the people you encounter as you shop, talk to a customer service representative on the phone or chat line. Ask them how they are effected by or dealing with Covid, or the uncertain political outcomes. Share your hope and joy and you will encourage other believers and plant seeds of wonder and hope in many seeking answers, direction and peace in these uncertain times. As we prepare to enter 2021 we certainly have anticipation that the Covid Vaccines will curb and eventually eliminate this dangerous and sometimes deadly virus, but until then we put our trust in the Lord and rejoice in His redemption, reconciliation and soon return! “Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”(Luke 2:10-14).
Gregg Zackary, Dec. 2020
RESTORING HOPE 