God of Earth and Outer Space

I am a firm believer that the Heavenly Father is at work all around us. Earthly truths (that remind us of scriptural promises) can be found everywhere.

In our own community, those we associate with (and care for the most) can provide us with more crucial insight than we might be aware of. “The perceptive find wisdom in their own front yard; fools look for it everywhere but right here.”[i]

1.  Though I am undecided (at this point) as to who will get my vote on Election Day (in November), part of a Hillary Clinton political commercial reminded me of a modern interpretation of I Samuel 16:7.

The prophet Samuel was ordaining David (as king of Israel over his bothers). Read the words of both individuals below. What do you think?

“How do we measure greatness in America? [Is it] the height of our skyscrapers? [Is it] the size of our bank accounts?”   

But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks or stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.”

In the Heavenly Father’s eyes, a great person is someone that measures up in Godly wisdom. The Almighty has a problem with someone who looks nice on the outside, but on the inside is full of all kinds of bitterness (and hypocrisy).[ii]

2.    “Life knocks us all down once in awhile. It’s what you do when [you] get back up that really matters.”[iii]

“The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.”[iv]

No one has a perfect life, but in yours do you play the role of a conqueror (or a quitter) in your approach to challenges?

3.    “Yesterday: the tomorrow that got away.”[v]

“Don’t brashly announce what you’re going to do tomorrow; you don’t know the first thing about tomorrow.”[vi]

Do you include God in planning the events of your world? If He holds your life in His hands, isn’t God the One who will ultimately decide whether you get to engage in your intended activities?

The title of this post also happens to be the title of a 1970’s worship hymn (by Thad Roberts, Junior).[vii] Take time to read verses two and three below along with the verses I have provided. Are you in tune with what God is doing all around you? (He wants you willingly involved with what’s important to Him.)

1.  Verse Two

God of atmosphere and air,

God of life and planets bare,

Use man's courage and his skill

As he seeks your holy will.

God of depth and God of height,

God of darkness, God of light,

As man walks in outer space,

Teach him how to walk in grace.

“None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.”[viii]

2.  Verse Three

God of man's exploring mind,

God of wisdom, God of time,

Launch us from complacency

To a world in need of Thee.

God of power, God of might,

God of rockets firing bright.

Hearts ignite and thrust within,

Love for Christ to share with men.[ix]

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.

Don’t become. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”[x]

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[i] Proverbs 17:24. Unless otherwise noted, all scripture is taken from The Message.

[ii] “You’re hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You’re like manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down its all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh. People look at you and think you’re saints, but beneath the skin you’re total frauds.” (Matthew 23:27-28)

[iii] This quote is by Kim Kardashian West on the TV series, Last Man Standing.

[iv] Proverbs 24:16, NLT

[v] From the section, “More Dizzy Daffynitions,” of the book, The Big Book of Jokes & Riddles, by Mavina G. Vogel (Compiler and Editor)

[vi] Proverbs 27:1

[vii] Lyrics come from the Hymn Society. The song is taken from the collection of Classic Hymns of Hope.

[viii] Romans 8:38-39

[ix] The remainder of this song:

Verse One

God of earth and outer space,

God of love and God of grace,

Bless the astronauts who fly

As they soar beyond the sky.

God who flung the stars in space,

God who set the sun ablaze,

Fling the spacecraft through the air,

Let man know your presence there.

Verse Four

God of earth and outer space,

God who guides the human race,

Guide the lives of seeking youth

In their search for heavenly truth.

God who reigns below, above,

God of universal love,

Love that gave Nativity,

Love that gave us Calvary.

[x] Romans 12:1-2