Joy week2

  Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:

“Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions?Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone — while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?       Job 38.1-7

Come, rejoice, and offer God this prayer,

God, when I contemplate creation, I know You are God. When I face Your power, I remember where I am in the world. It is Your creative power that puts me in my place. I must face the same questions You asked Job. Where was I when You laid the foundations of the world? Where was I when You stretched out the heavens like a canvas? Where was I when all the morning stars sang together?

I ask these questions before the immensity of Your creation. I am hushed by its beauty. I am stopped by its size. Before Your majesty, I remember that I am small, atom-like and of little consequence in the scheme of things universal. Yet You saw me, and even as You did with Job, You began a conversation with me. And as we talked, I saw You in the natural world, and I sang anthems to Your great creativity.

Then when I had praised You for Your creative works, I knew that whatever purpose You had for my life should be my reason to live. For You made me just as You made my world. And joy is my response of gratitude for Your including me in Your grand design.

God, I know Your purposes in my life are most important. And when I see the works of Your hands, I know that You want my hands to create also. I’m here to use my body, fearfully and wonderfully made, to create works to honour You. So give me the gift of facing the sin and heartache all around me and doing my part to create the kingdom of God. I want to touch hate and rename it love. I want to touch vengeance and rename it mercy. I want to touch resentment and rename it understanding. I want to touch defiance and rename it submission. Create in me a servant who worships You and cherishes the kingdom Jesus died to establish.

In Jesus' name, Amen.