Grace and Peace to you…with Thanksgiving!
Even in the midst of uncertain times, and global economic chaos, we still have so much for which to be thankful
There are a number of things in Scripture which we are instructed to consider. Think about this definition:
To CONSIDER: To think about carefully; examine mentally; weigh; to deliberate carefully and at length.
Moses admonished Israel to CONSIDER in their hearts, “THAT THE LORD IS GOD in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath there is none else.” (Deut. 4:39)
Samuel warned Israel: “Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for CONSIDER how GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE FOR YOU.” (1 Sam. 12:24)
Job also was challenged to “stand still, and CONSIDER THE WONDROUS WORKS OF GOD.”
(Job 37:14)
David knew how to meditate on God’s “wondrous works.” “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth! Who has set Your glory above the heavens…When I CONSIDER THE HEAVENS, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man, that You are mindful of him? and the son of man, that You visit him?…O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!” (Ps. 8)
Considering such infinite power, wisdom, knowledge, greatness, and the vastness of creation, does make one feel humble, small and insignificant. Yet, we are told that mankind is being made in God’s image, just a “little lower than Elohim” Himself, that he has been “crowned with glory and honor,” that he has been “given dominion over the works of God’s hands,” and is in the process of “having all things put under his feet.” God has further proven His limitless love for us by sending His only begotten Son to die for us, to redeem us, and deliver us from the bondage of sin and death, into the glorious freedom of the Sons of God. In fact, we are told to “CONSIDER HIM Who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose your HOPE.” ( Ps. 8; Heb. 2; 12:3)
He has set His love upon us, and promised to never leave us nor forsake us; rather He comes to dwell within all who receive Him into their hearts. Concerning His ongoing care, He says,
“CONSIDER THE LILIES, how they grow. They do not work, or do not spin. Yet King Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of them. Wherefore, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you?…Therefore do not be anxious about what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, or how you will be clothed…for your Heavenly Father knows you have need of all these things. But seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not worry, therefore, about tomorrow…” He also says,
“CONSIDER THE RAVENS, for they neither plant nor reap, nor do they have storehouses or barns, and God feeds them. How much more are you better than the birds?…Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. FEAR NOT, therefore; YOU ARE OF MORE VALUE THAN MANY SPARROWS.”
(Luke 12:6,7, 22-30)
CONSIDER
the lilies, that do neither spin nor toil,
yet are most fair -
what profits all this care,
and all this coil? (confusion, tumult)
CONSIDER
the sparrows of the air, of small account;
our God doth view
whether they fall or mount -
He guards us too.
CONSIDER
the birds that have no barn nor harvest-weeks;
God gives them food -
much more our Father seeks
to do us good.
Christina Rossetti, 1830-1894
“Now the God of all HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE in the believing,
that you may abound in HOPE
through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
(Romans 15:13)
In Agape, Eulene
