Our church meets in a hotel within sight of the state capital building. Stephanie and I were responsible for children's church today. The conference room we were in is on the corner of the building with large windows on the two sides. Today was also the day for a 5K road race through the down city area around the capital. Part of the route led right past the hotel, so after church, we were able to able to observe many of the runners going by. There were the top tier athletes leading the pack. For the most part they were lean and long-limbed, making the fast pace they were setting look like a walk in the park. Then there was the middle tier, those who's passion was running but did not have the genetics to be in the top tier. Finally, there was the rest of the people. These ranged from those who were in good shape and enjoyed running to parents with strollers, to those who were walking the distance.
While we were watching the top tier runners speed past and marveling at their athletic grace, another man and I were bemoaning the fact that our increasing age and sedentary lifestyles has robbed us our youthful fitness. Both of us stating our desire to lose weight and get fit but neither of us sure if our knees could take jogging once again. Two overweight and out of shape dads commiserating with each other, hoping good intentions count for something.
Fast forward to this afternoon at home, during nap time. I was having my quiet time. One of the passages I read was Psalm 147. I keyed in on two verses - 10 and 11.
"10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of a man;
11 the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love."
Once the relationship as a son of God is established through Jesus, there are other facets of the relationship that need to be in place. Two of these, in this passage, are that we should fear Him and that our hope should be in God's unfailing love. To fear God is to give Him the honor and respect that is due Him. He is a holy and awesome God and should not be approached cavalierly or related to casually. On the flip side of the holiness, power and awesomeness of God is the compassion, mercy, grace and love of God. Our hope, as Christians, is in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who was sent because of the love of God. So, ultimately, our hope rests solely on the love God has for His creation. And that hope will not fail us because the love of God will never fail and the atonement of Jesus was more than sufficient to meet the requirements of a holy God.
While we were watching the top tier runners speed past and marveling at their athletic grace, another man and I were bemoaning the fact that our increasing age and sedentary lifestyles has robbed us our youthful fitness. Both of us stating our desire to lose weight and get fit but neither of us sure if our knees could take jogging once again. Two overweight and out of shape dads commiserating with each other, hoping good intentions count for something.
Fast forward to this afternoon at home, during nap time. I was having my quiet time. One of the passages I read was Psalm 147. I keyed in on two verses - 10 and 11.
"10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of a man;
11 the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love."
The second part of verse 10, "nor his delight in the legs of a man" immediately brought to mind the images of those top tier athletes racing past the hotel with all their athletic grace. According to this passage, God does not delight in our physical prowess (though I do believe we need to take care of ourselves because we are the temple of of the Holy Spirit), rather He takes delight when we are rightly related to Him. Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is the first and most important part of having a right relationship with God.
Once the relationship as a son of God is established through Jesus, there are other facets of the relationship that need to be in place. Two of these, in this passage, are that we should fear Him and that our hope should be in God's unfailing love. To fear God is to give Him the honor and respect that is due Him. He is a holy and awesome God and should not be approached cavalierly or related to casually. On the flip side of the holiness, power and awesomeness of God is the compassion, mercy, grace and love of God. Our hope, as Christians, is in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who was sent because of the love of God. So, ultimately, our hope rests solely on the love God has for His creation. And that hope will not fail us because the love of God will never fail and the atonement of Jesus was more than sufficient to meet the requirements of a holy God.
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3 comments:
Terrific insights, Son! In addition, if you think you take comfort at 32 from knowing that top physical fitness or outward beauty are not the things which God takes most pleasure in, wait until you turn 60! At this age I hope and trust there is enough inner beauty and spiritual fitness developed through years of following Him so what He sees when He looks at me gives Him pleasure and a sense of accomplishment.
Love, Mom
Cool Blog i like it and I love that pictuer! Halla
I loved this blog. How often do we misinterpret what we think God likes and expects out of us? He wants us...plain and simple. It doesn't matter if we are ultimate athletes, brainy scientist, or if we are dirty and homeless. He wants us, because we are His children.
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