Salt in Good Measure

S - Psalm 150:1-2, 6; Luke 17:32-33 (NLT): "Praise the LORD! Praise God in his heavenly dwelling; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness!  … Let everything that lives sing praises to the LORD! Praise the LORD! … Remember what happened to Lot's wife! Whoever clings to this life will lose it, and whoever loses this life will save it."

O - This imperative which concludes the book of Psalms is THE best and only true beginning for each day for every human being bar none.  It is not connected to nor precluded by any circumstance, situation, tragedy or failure.  It is directly connected to his person, unequaled greatness and mighty works.  It is the right response to each day because every day begins the same:  with God all things are possible.  Think of the possibilities available to us all in just a single day.  Darkness to light, death to life, sick to healthy, broken to healed, helpless to empowered, rejected to accepted, Joseph from Pharaoh's prison to Pharaoh's throne, Israel from Egypt's slaves to Egypt's conquerors, Daniel from the Lion's Den to the Empire's Governor, Esther from an orphan to a queen, fishermen to apostles and enemies of God to his dearly loved children all in a single day.  The constant in all of this is God … the God who is and who is near us, for us, with us and who in Jesus calls us to himself.  

A - The problem for me is not the thought or truth of all the possibilities in a single day but the years Joseph spent in prison waiting for the day, the 400 years which preceded Israel's deliverance, the heartache of Esther's loss before the joy of her life's calling.  Yet, not only does every day start the same (with God all things are possible) every day is sustained by the truth that he is working EVERYTHING for the good of those who love him back and stay called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). So, while I'm thinking about all the awesome possibilities this very day holds I also get to cling to the person who makes them all possible; knowing that he is working even when I do not see it or understand it.  He is calling me to the fierce personal loyalty (trust) he deserves and also gives to me.  It seems that when I'm clinging to "my life" my praise is often subdued or silent.  When I'm clinging to him my praise is consistent and confident.  The difference between the delightful salt of the earth and a tragic pillar of salt (Lot's wife) may be determined by my clinging and assessed by my praising. 

P - Lord of life and Lord of all,

I do praise for this day which you have made and in your great mercy not only included me in this day but in your kingdom, will and very life.  I praise your excellent, flawless, brilliant greatness.  I praise your defiant mercy, relentless love and unflickering forgiveness.  I praise your awesome brilliance, limitless power and extreme goodness.  I surrender, lose, give-up and gladly lay down my life … clinging to you and your purposes.  I praise you for you are purposeful in not only everything you cause but in everything you allow.  Lord, you're allowing so much I can't explain … not only in the dark and difficult but in the blessing and beauty.  So, in this day, I hope in you.  I trust in you.  I cling to you and say Yes, Lord - lead on; I will follow.  I do love you back and choose you and your purpose. Lord, I remember you and Lot's wife.

Steve