The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. – Psalm 138:8
It’s Saturday for those who, like me, tend to lose track of what day is what. Today, I hope that we can focus on the good that the Lord has done for us, even while we have been locked away, socially distant, and even quarantined. We may have to think about it, or maybe it hits us right away, but surely we have known the blessings to God’s steadfast love even in these days at home.
For those whom I have spoken, I have mentioned some of the things that have been going on around our house. While I have been keeping up with church and conference meetings, and learning some new skills for ministry; Samantha and I have also been working in our yard to create a little backyard getaway. This project turned out to be a little more involved than any of us expected, but isn’t that how most projects go? Back in March we cleared out an overgrown area behind the house, we put in a patio, which in turned lead me to install a yard drainage system, then we hauled in 3 trailer loads of dirt to level, or at least lessen the slope of our yard, put down some grass seed and straw, and now we’re just hoping for grass to come soon.
Truth is, all this work has kept me busy, and I’m thankful that God has allowed us to be able to do these projects, and give me something more to do with my hands to keep me from being idle. When I think about, this large project would have been something I would dream about for months given schedules had remained normal. I like to stay busy, but rarely do I get to be busy on work for myself or family. I love working with and for other people, but I am thankful God has slowed down some of the external for me to focus on something that will benefit my family for years to come. This is just one of the blessings to which I am giving credit to God, yes, it’s been the work of my hand, but it has been at the Lord’s blessing.
The psalmist proclaims that an experience of God’s help, but further, this experience is because of the very nature and character of God. God’s steadfast love, which endures forever. n Old Testament thought, God's "name" is more than just the "handle" that God goes by. It is God's very identity -- and, by extension, God's very presence. To praise the Lord's name is both to acknowledge who one trusts, but it is also claim God's presence. When one speaks the name of the Lord, one claims the relationship that one has with God -- and, indeed, when one speaks God's name one makes known that one is in God's presence.
I have no doubt that those hours spent working in the yard, blessed me, for I was working in the presence of the Lord. I hope you take some time to give thanks to God for the experience you have had in his presence, even in your own home. Take a moment, today, name it before God, and give thanks for all He has done.
Grace & Peace,
Sam