Small Words, Large Meaning
by Marilyn Ehle
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us—so that your (God’s) ways may be known on earth…so that all the ends of the earth will fear him”. Psalm 67:1-2 & 7
How many Bible studies have I participated in where I have been challenged—or have challenged others—to glean the “big idea” for the verses under consideration? In the well-meant pursuit to discover the primary meaning, or perhaps to dig beneath the surface, it is easy to gloss over simple, small words intended to have tremendous impact.
In the psalm quoted above, the writer clearly calls to God for blessing. How often the Jews were in danger from their enemies or living in the sorrow of captivity. They were pleading for relief, even for victory in the midst of unbelievable odds. But somehow—perhaps looking back to the Abrahamic Covenant which stated that all peoples on earth will be blessed through you, or forward to the words of Christ, go into all the world—the writer sees that God’s gracious blessing has a purpose far beyond personal application.
When God pours his blessing into our lives, the purpose spills over to the world around us: so that God’s ways may be known on earth. Any other plea for blessing is far too small.
Father, thank you for the blessings you regularly pour into my life; help me creatively see each one expanding into the lives of those around me.
You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/02/03/me_words/
Tags: comfort, depend, God's love, hope, Jesus, power, trust
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:56 am
A wonderful food for thought to ponder! YES its true that every WORD that is written and what the Bible says gives a lot of meaning into our lives.To put it into practice is another way of knowing what GOD wants us to do and how to do it that will give an impact to us and to those whom we meet and spread the good news about JESUS. Every messages from this website brings a HUGE IMPACT to all those who are THIRSTY and HUNGRY in GOD's WORD. IT is the Holy Spirit who is at work with every...
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:08 am
individual who send us devotional messages that is Encouraging; Uplifting and to come closer to GOD. ( Psalm 96:6 says... WORSHIP the LORD in the splendor of HIS HOLINESS; tremble before HIM, all the earth). HE is WORTHY of PRAISE! HONOR and GLORY UNTO HIM. GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD for HE IS GOOD. May OUR ALMIGHTY FATHER bless you all Abundantly as you keep on sharing your blessing to us through this website. TO GOD BE THE GLORY in JESUS name. Amen!
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:13 am
You know there is a prayer that I feel we do not say enough, it is not a long one but I think it si something we need to say to God more then we do. It is this Thank You God.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:17 am
Thank you for this meaningful devotional. Your prayer is mine too.
Blessings.
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:24 pm
May the Father God grant me to be his worker and bring the message to the whole world that we people should understand that we are just one as brothers and sisters... we may all be totally enlighten that everything that we had should have to share to others without expectations of any return and be it known that love is the only way to make this world be peaceful... we may all be understandable to everything, be patience and have a total self control to deny and not to be deceived by the...
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:57 pm
to share the message is so great, make me think about his god grace in my life.thank you god for everything