“The heavens declare the Your glory, Oh God, and the firmament shows Your handiwork.” [Psalm 19:1] I am amazed by all that You have created and the beauty that is around me. From the oceans to the Appalachian Mountains, to the Great Lakes to the Rockies. I appreciate the wilderness in Northern Canada and the scenery of New Zealand. Most of all I am in awe of every Human You have created in Your image yet they are all unique and different.
Your word says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” [Proverbs 1:7] I seek to understand and to learn who You are as I strive to have this relationship with You. I also know that Your thoughts are much higher than my thoughts and that You see not only my personal situation but the whole picture of the whole world at the same time. This is well beyond my comprehension or understanding but, yet, I believe it to be true. My greatest fear is to disappoint You. I want to become wise, I want to become holy and I want to hear Your voice daily. I want to feel Your Spirit inside me and moving me to be better than I am. I desire to die to my flesh and to live in Your Spirit.
The magnitude of Your greatness is lost on us. I realize You have the very count of the hairs on my head, how I was formed in the womb, the knowledge of my very thoughts and my deepest desires, and You still see the whole world and all that it is and all that it could be. You trust me to testify of Your goodness and love. You trust me to tell others of who You are and of Your gift of salvation. You trust me to love others and to help build Your kingdom here on the earth in peoples’ hearts. I trust in You for my strength, for the discernment on how to fulfill my purpose in life, and how to blend Your word and the promptings of the Holy Spirit in teaching people how to pray or to talk to You. I trust in You that Your investment in me will be worthy and righteous. I know I am far from perfect and that I am not always lovely, yet, because of Your word and truth I know You love me and forgive me. I also know that it is not from my power or strength that I can accomplish Your will, rather it is from You and Your faith in me because of my little faith in You.
Therefore, by Him, let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey those who rule over you and be submissive for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. For we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. But I especially urge you to do this, …. Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:14-21)