In Praise of God

We know this is a time when many groups begin thinking about their Fall Bible study classes.  As you do so, please note that our Joshua study is currently out of print.

You can still get all our other studies from local or online booksellers or Focus Publishing (in the case of Hope in God and Prayer) or directly from us (for Jonah, Psalms, Beauty of Holiness, Thinking Heavenward, and Proverbs).

Additionally, we would appreciate your prayers as we are putting our next book series together. It is currently in very early stages of development, but we are excited about it…I’ll post more updates as they are available.

In May I traveled with my family to the Grand Canyon. It was awesome!  It is truly breath taking!

As you stand there at the rim and look at the magnificent colors and the absolute vastness of this “Natural Wonder” you can not help but think of the Creator.  This amazing canyon is there for all to see and to declare His greatness.  I was content to just stand and look and think.  (I don’t stand still very often!)  I was grateful that my thoughts were of our amazing God, and even more thrilled to hear my children declare His wonders.

 In his book  The Joy of Fearing God, Jerry Bridges explains that acknowledging God in creation is one way to increase our fear of the Lord.   Bridges gives Isaiah 40:12-31 as an example of an Old Testament passage that “especially emphasizes the greatness of God and is thus designed to stimulate our fear of Him.”  This passages contains a number of questions and figures of speech describing God’s immense greatness in creation and history.    

The point that Isiah makes is that even though creation (including the Grand Canyon) is great, nothing compares to the greatness of God.  As we think about the truths scripture teaches about creation, we should grow in our fear and awe of Him.

Enjoy creation this summer.  Even if you don’t go to the Grand Canyon, be amazed by blooming flowers, powerful rain storms, and cute lightning bugs!! 

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“Get wisdom!  Get understanding! . . .

Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;

Love her, and she will keep you.”

Proverbs 4:5-6

I have often cried out to God, telling Him of my need for wisdom and asking Him to give it.  However, until recently, I had primarily thought of wisdom as something to “get” [which it is! (Proverbs 4:5-7)]; but I had not consciously thought of it as something to “love.”

It makes a difference.  It takes wisdom out of merely an “acquisition,” “need,” or “help, I’m lacking this” category and elevates it to “treasure” or “beloved” status (which, of course, is what it truly is).

 “For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,

And her gain than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies,

And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.”

Proverbs 3:14-15

And when we remember that all the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are hid in our Savior Jesus Christ, that elevates it still further  to “relationship” status  because the treasured wisdom we need is hid in the Savior we love.

 But what difference has this new “love” made in my every day life?  So far, I see two main differences.

1.  It has caused me to ask myself what I love more than I love wisdom.  Are there things of lesser value that I love and pursue more than wisdom?

2.  It has made me slow down a bit, as I am more aware of my need, not only to diligently study the Word (treasure is seldom found on the surface!), and teach it, but to take time to embrace (hold, clasp, enfold) the wisdom found within its pages.

“Wisdom is the principal thing; 

Therefore get wisdom.

And in all your getting, get understanding.

Exalt her, and she will promote you;

She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.

She will place on you head an ornament of grace;

A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”

Proverbs 4:7-9