S - Psalm 98:1 (NLT): "Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds."O - The NIV and KJV both use the phrase "marvelous things". The Hebrew is simple, straightforward and powerful. The verse begins with an imperative "sing a new song to the Lord" and then says why and the why is awesome. In the unimaginable greatness of his person, in the holiness (not like us and not like this world) of his being and power he has done wonderful deeds - deeds which inspire an artistic and fresh expression of praise. The deeds are not only those in the past but those which have just been completed/revealed. The actual Hebrew term is a primitive root which includes the concept of work but is distinguished by a work which is marvelous, wonderful, surpassing, extraordinary. The beauty of the vowel stem is that it is Qal - a simply stated action. Jesus made it clear that his Father was at work and that he worked too. The New Testament confirms that the Holy Spirit is at work right now. The work which God does is best described as wonderful and extraordinary. As all the Scripture reveals: nothing is too difficult; nothing is impossible; nothing is too wonderful for him.
A - The unchanging reality, even in our fallen world and fallen lives, is nothing is too difficult, nothing is impossible, nothing is too wonderful for the Lord to do AND this same Lord is working on planet earth and in all circumstances (good and bad, beautiful and tragic) for the good of those who will love him back and stay called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28-29). I do not always understand his purpose or see his work, especially in the mysterious and miserable circumstances and seasons which move through my life. I can stay called to "it" by simply staying committed to Him - giving him the fierce personal loyalty he deserves. I won't always recognize the goal he has in his awesomely brilliant mind, but I will recognize it when he's completed it … and it will be wonderful, surpassing, extraordinary. The result is a song I can always sing and really should always sing no matter what my current situation may be. Looking to the person of Jesus and looking back at what he has done inspires me to believe through my current circumstance to a conclusion too wonderful for me! It really is something worth singing about (literally) every day. Today, my privilege and assignment, is to sing!
P - Lord of the too wonderful for me,
Thank you for always working, for always starting at mercy and leading with love, for always remembering that I am little and weak, frail as breath and impaired in my seeing, hearing and thinking. Thank you for your awesome and tender brilliance which allows me to reap the benefit without understanding the process. Today my heart sings to you a song of wonder, loyalty and commitment because of who you are, the work which you do and the unflinching reality of your love for us. Lord, I welcome your will on earth, in me, just like they do in heaven. I commit myself to you and your purpose even when I don't really know what it is or like the way it is currently going. I yield to your awesome brilliance, unlimited power and extreme goodness looking and praying for that which is too wonderful for me.
I love you back,
Steve
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