“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” September 5, 2018
Good afternoon everyone,
The joy of “beginnings” is something that brings joy even to the most negative person. This is something
that struck me as I began my first class of Old Testament Foundations for continuing education in order to keep
my credentials current. It is also thought about as we wait upon the arrival of our fourth grandchild. New
beginnings are wonderful even though it is a change to something that once was. Often times we forget that the
creation was a major change in the history of eternity as it were.
The one thing that caught my attention this morning as I read over this text is what God first created
after the foundation was laid for creation: “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God
saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the
darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day” (Genesis 1:3-5, NKJV).
The creation of light is more than the physical thing that enables people to see by and the effects of it
that can be felt. The division of light and dark is the creation of time as we know it in 24 hour segments of
the changes between light and dark. The Hebrew word used here is yôm which means day or cycle of 24 hours
or the span of a person’s life when plural (Exodus 20:8-11; Psalm 90:10). The definition and meaning of this
word is accepted everywhere else in the Bible by nearly everyone, but is fantasized into many other things here
in the account of creation. This will continue to be debated, but my point here is that God created time itself in
preparation of the rest of creation. This has significance to us today because with each new day there are new
beginnings.
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new
every morning; Great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NKJV). The mercies of God and His
unfailing compassion on people are seen each day when they are intentionally sought after in all
circumstances. Time allows these things to be measurable for us so that we are introduced to them on a
consistent basis. Are mercies of the Lord something that is sought after, or are they being taken for granted with
each new day?
“O Lord, be gracious to us; We have waited for You. Be their arm every morning, Our salvation also in
the time of trouble” (Isaiah 33:2, NKJV). The graciousness of the Lord is seen every morning in the joy of
His salvation through faith in Christ by the way the Holy Spirit sustains through the abuse, apathy, and
mistreatment others bring against those who love God. The temptation is to focus on the negative things of the
world and hurts that have been inflicted both physically and emotionally. This is something that is not noticed
often here in the United States currently, but is being experienced by missionaries serving in Europe that are
often overlooked as not ministering in difficult areas. For instance one missionary family from Sweden shares
their struggles they personally deal with in their service to the Lord.
(http://www.cggc.org/PDF%20Files/CCM/Newsletters/MolgaardFall2018.pdf )
There are many things in this world which will turn the focus off of the Lord and destroy the joy He has
provided for His people in their hearts daily. Take time today to look for the new things God is showing you
today.
Praying beyond the physical:
Father, help me to see faith in You is not stagnant but vibrant and growing with each new day.
Jesus, help me to see that Your Word has instruction for what to do but also what to look for to see the Father.
Spirit, help me to see the direction clearly that You are giving me in what You are doing all around me daily.
Pastor Tom
