Scripture for Today:  Psalm 24 :1 “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.”

The mighty historic Nile was the scene ushering in the new millennium for our family.  We had the privilege of staying with friends in Cairo and experiencing a felucca on the water at the very instant of this momentous change!

The ancient Egyptians considered the Nile as a god, providing water, food and livelihoods.  The land of Egypt itself is said to be a “gift of the Nile.”  The Pharaoh of Egypt during Ezekiel’s day had the audacity to declare that the Nile was his and that he had made it! (Ezekiel 29:3 & 9)  God punished his arrogance and the misplaced trust of the people by scattering them and laying waste to the land for forty years.

What Pharaoh said was in direct opposition to the truth of today’s verse.  The earth belongs to the Lord.  He is its Creator and no one else can take from Him this credit.  Every beautiful river, every breathtaking mountain and every stunning sunset are all His creation.  That newborn babe is a product of His hands.  Giving Him the glory for His creation is the very least we can do in response.

We may not have Pharaohs saying such outrageous things today, but we do have something similar.  We hear terms like the “Big Bang Theory,” or even “Mother Nature.”  Whenever we ascribe credit to anything other than God’s creative hand, we are stealing the glory that is His due!  Not only does His creation give Him glory but it reveals what is invisible; His power and divine nature! (Romans 1:20)

I hope I never become jaded to His incredible creation.  Lord, may the wonder of Your work keep me awestruck and praising You.

Scripture for Today:  Psalms 61:2  “From the end of the earth will I cry to You.  When my heart is overwhelmed and fainting, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”

I see this rock every time I take my walk up in the vineyards behind our house.  It is placed about where I turn around and head home.  There is something reassuring about its presence.  I wonder how long it has been sitting there.  It is big and strong and solid.  I do not have to wonder if it will be there tomorrow.

I love the image of the rock in Scripture.  The Lord is spoken of as our Rock in numerous passages, especially in the Psalms.  This rock image is used to connote strength, protection and permanence.

In today’s verse the image of the rock speaks to our fatigue and weakness.  The prayer of the Psalmist is that he would be led to the Rock.  That tells me that the Rock is not necessarily in my line of vision during those times when I am overwhelmed.  When my heart is fainting within me, I am not seeing too clearly.  The Rock is even higher than I am, and yet I need to be led to it.

My first inclination when overwhelmed is not always to cry out to the Lord.  But what a wonderful promise is written here that when I do, He comes to my aid.  He leads me to a place of strength and refreshment for my spirit.  This Rock is higher, bigger and better than any of my feeble attempts to tough it out on my own.  His strength is constant and constantly available.  With His strength I can be strong, firm and steadfast! (I Peter 5:10)

Lord, please be my Rock today.