Anyone else feel the strong breeze as life speeds past? This year has been a whirlwind, and it shows no signs of slowing down! Remember the old fashioned merry-go-rounds we used to play on as kids? The simultaneous exhilaration and fear, the freedom of the wind in your hair mixed with the clench of your stomach churning all at once. It’s in times like these that we desperately need to find our center. We search for that one place where change does not exist, where the world spinning off its axis doesn’t matter. We run to the arms of our Heavenly Father.
Finding the Center
This morning, as I read Psalm 113, I was struck by both the simplicity and the depth of God’s Word. He is exalted on high above all, yet He bows low to establish a relationship with His creation. There is no one like our God!
- Remember God is worthy to be praised. The Psalmist calls us to praise the Lord. At first glance that seems easy. We worship God on Sunday morning, we thank Him for His many blessings, and we sometimes whisper prayers of gratitude throughout the day. But, the call to praise goes deeper than the surface of our daily lives. The Hebrew word halal literally means “to shine” or “to be clear.” When we truly see God’s power, our response is to boast foolishly in celebration of the God who is with us. Like David dancing before the Lord with all his might, we willingly make a fool of ourselves to lift high the name of Jesus.
- Recognize God does all the work. Psalm 113:1 addresses readers as servants. In biblical times servants completed the work of the household, obeying the commands of their master. Yet here we see a beautiful picture as the Master of the Universe bows down to connect with His people. The New Living Translation begins each verse with an action performed by God: He stoops, He lifts, He sets, and He gives. As we lift His name high in worship and keep our focus on Him, God acts on our behalf. He lifts the burdens we carry. He saves us from sin and despair. He sets us in the palm of His hand and establishes us securely in Christ. I’m so thankful God does what I could never do on my own.
- Realize God does the impossible. In 1 Samuel 2, Hannah praises God after He miraculously gives her a son. Out of her barrenness, God supplied. Her response was to give her son back to the Lord as an offering of gratitude. Psalm 113 echoes Hannah’s song. It reflects the heart of one who has tasted God’s goodness and gladly gives all for His glory. “I AM the Lord God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jer. 32:27) When life rushes at breakneck speed, find your center in Him. Cling tightly to His Word. Whatever impossible mountain stands before you, remember you serve the God who created the mountains.
“Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
Put it into Practice
- Set aside time today to sit still, breathe deeply, and reflect on God’s goodness. Thank Him for all the ways He demonstrates His love for you.
- Keep a journal of answered prayers and specific ways God has carried you through tough times. This is a great way to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness when life is hard.
- Worship God with abandon. Allow yourself to worship God through prayer, music, singing, or even dancing in your living room!