Our Everything

Have you ever been stopped dead in your tracks by simple, life-giving Truth? Has Truth ever sprung up within you fresh and familiar all at the same time?

This happened to me the other day...

I was reading a devotional and the reference scripture was 1 Chronicles 16:25-26:

"For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens."

The meaning of the word idol was the simple, life-giving Truth.

Idol means nothing and empty...

NOTHING and EMPTY

For all the gods of the peoples are worthless nothings

There are days in my life I find myself feeling empty, drained of strength and ability. I find that I have placed something or someone at the center of my life, looking to it and expecting it to meet my deepest needs. In so doing it leaves me empty.

God created people with a unique desire to worship; to be in awe. As Creator, He provided in Himself everything we need and more abundantly. He gave life and desires us to be in awe of Him; to worship Him as the provider, sustainer, and flourisher of life within us.

The other day, this Truth resounded deep within me again.

The somethings and the someones of life cannot satiate mankind's desire to worship, because the somethings or someones of life will fail to meet peoples deepest needs.

Anything I put at the center of my heart, my soul, and my mind, other than my Creator, is a worthless idol, dissolving into nothing under the weight of my awe.

Not even wonderful blessings from God are intended to be at the center of our hearts, souls, and minds. Blessings can be appreciated and cared for, but in and of themselves they will fail to ultimately satisfy.

Like trying to hold a beautiful, delicate snowflake in the palm of my hand, it melts away.

Instead, blessings are like beautiful, delicate snowflakes, meant to lift my eyes up toward heaven and praise the One who created it.

True worship is only possible through Jesus Christ. Not only did God intend for Himself to be our everything, He provided The Way. Through belief in Jesus Christ's death, shed blood, and resurrection and the power of His Holy Spirit, it becomes possible to live life in worship of the One True God.

The Lord delights in our worship of Him. He doesn't melt away under the weight of our awe. Instead, like a strong tree whose roots go down deep, whose branches flourish and produce fruit in every season, He causes our life to flourish, fulfilling our deepest needs.

He alone can do what no thing or person can because...

He is everlasting; He always was and always will be! He is above time. His resources are limitless; His strength knows no end. His character is flawless; there is no guile or selfishness in Him. He is perfect love and perfect justice at the same time. He is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and faithful. He is for His people! He will never leave us or forsake us! His very character is everything we need for life and life more abundantly.

Thank you for the blessings you have so graciously given to me Lord! Thank you for reminding me that they aren't intended to completely satisfy and sustain me, that they are not able to withstand the weight of worship. You have all I need. You alone deserve all honor and worship forever! Help me to lift my eyes everyday in praise of the One from whom all blessings flow...

May the Lord who made the heavens be praised...

Blessings,

Amy