The Grand Paradox

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained ;
What is man that You take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
Psalms 8:3-4


I'm sure you can relate to this Scripture like I can. Many times, I have looked up at the stars, considered the vastness of the earth, or gazed up at the mountains, and a powerful sense of smallness and insignificance sweeps over me. At times I have dwelt on it to the point of fear! Our God, who created the Sun, Moon, and stars, is so amazing and great beyond comprehension, that I think, "Who am I to even be talking to the LORD?"
 
Then I remember this Scripture:


For thus says the high and exalted One
Who lives forever, whose name is Holy,
"I dwell on a high and holy place,
And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit
In order to revive the spirit of the lowly
And to revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 57:15

So the Most High God, who created the vastness of the universe, and dwells in the height of Heaven, also dwells intimately and lovingly with the "poor in spirit"! The great Keeper of the stars, is also the "Shepherd and Bishop of [our] souls"! It's the grand paradox!
 
And, finally, praise be to God who proved it all and more by sending His only begotten Son to endure our punishment for us (while we were still hostile toward Him), so we could dwell with Him forever!


But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Romans 5:8-10

Personal Call

I have to keep my phone on silent while I am at work. I have found that after a long shift, I immediately check my phone for any missed calls, texts, or emails. I am delighted when a personal call, text, or email from family or friends appears in my notifications bar. I am disappointed, however, when I only find impersonal or spam items.

Yesterday, I checked my phone, and the result was disappointment. Then it dawned on me... How does the LORD feel when He doesn't recieve any personal calls from us? How much does He really mean to me, that I could go a whole day without praying and calling out to Him, seeking closeness with my Creator?


1 O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly ;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.
4 So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.
6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches,
7 For You have been my help,
And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.
Psalms 63:1-8


The LORD desires deep fellowship with us, His children! The fact the the Creator of all the universe wants to spend time with us is mindblowing in and of itself. What more do I need to convince myself of the beauty, value, and importance of it?



4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"? 6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:4-8