June 9, 2019
Summer Sundays-The Treasure Hunt…Journey in Psalms
The Watcher…
“He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever.” Psalm 146:6 (NLT)
Years ago when our two children had just attained their scuba diving credentials, we experienced wonderful family time exploring. Although Billy and I had enjoyed underwater adventure together, something very special occurred when our children joined us on the journey of discovery.
Experience the Creator…
It is astounding to me that over seventy percent of the earth lies under the cover of the ocean, with over eighty percent of the ocean territory remaining unmapped, unobserved, and unexplored. Although the expanse of our family exploration was extremely limited, the discovery of God’s miraculous creation left its impact on our experience and is engraved in our memories.
One image I will never forget is the image of my husband following our group of family and friends, on each dive. Once everyone was in the water, Billy would lag behind, arms folded across his chest, swimming behind the group. He didn’t explore, or investigate. He didn’t act as a tour guide, leading…Rather, he WATCHED! He stayed far enough behind to watch the entire group…He watched to make sure no one dipped down too deep, or ascended too rapidly; he warned anyone who got too close to fire coral, or a camouflaged sea predator. He randomly checked air tanks, and watched for buoyancy issues and was quick to distribute additional weights when needed. He watched as a protector and a guardian, intent to retrieve curious divers who would unknowingly or at times, intentionally stray from the group. We had heard the horror stories of divers becoming lost or injured in the abyss of the ocean, yes, even on recreational dives…so Billy watched…and he watched.
As we explored and discovered, not only did we experience a new realm of God’s Creation, but we gained a deeper understanding of our profoundly creative and Sovereign God, the Creator. Our awareness of His presence and His signature on life permeated our lives in new ways in the water, and when we returned to dry land.
“But the LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.” Psalm 11:4 (NLT)
As we encounter more of God’s Word, we all can reflect on circumstances in our lives which help us to personally embrace scripture in a very real and applicable way. My scuba diving experience with my husband watching to protect and to guard his loved ones was a meaningful example of perspective and purpose. As parents, as friends, as family, we protect those we love…
Clearly God created us and gave us life to introduce Himself to us, to draw us to Him to experience the beauty of Creation, and to establish an authentic and intimate relationship with Him. Our God is the perfect parent. In order for Him to demonstrate His character to you and me, and to all people…He watches…He watches everyone, always has and always will… And as I discovered over the years of Treasure Hunting in God’s Word, our God Almighty is a Watcher…
The Journey in Psalms
Last week as we studied five Psalms, we discovered many attributes of our God. Although we may have already known these characteristics, I was awe-struck to look at them collectively. In order for God to be my Shield, my Protector, my Rescuer, my Victory, my King, my God, my Just God, my Honest Judge, my Majestic God, my Creator, my Shelter, and my Refuge…in order for God to be who He is…He WATCHES…He WATCHES over the whole world, every nation, every tribe, every peoples, every region, every mountain, over the depths of the sea and the oceans. Nothing, and no one can escape His WATCHFUL eye. No one can escape His Extravagant love. His reach is long enough, far enough, wide enough, extensive enough for those who willingly grasp His Hand. Yes, our Holy and Divine God WATCHES…
“The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” Psalm 121:8
You probably discovered that King David was the author of the Psalms we studied this past week. David, from the tribe of Judah, was chosen and anointed to replace the shamed and disobedient Saul. As a boy warrior, David fearlessly confronted and defeated the Philistine giant Goliath, in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of the armies of Israel. Later, although King Saul pursued David to destroy him, King David refused to kill or harm Saul because David respected the LORD, and His appointed. King David ruled over Israel as a victorious warrior King, yet, sinned inexcusably before his people, and his God. King David, broken-hearted and in great despair repented before God; and in His faithfulness, mercy, and grace, God restored and forgave David.
David was chosen, in spite of his human frailty, because of His faith and belief in the LORD, and was called a “man after God’s own heart.” David’s outpouring of affection, his dependency, and his faith in Yahweh, the LORD, is recorded in the Book of Psalms…Praises to the LORD! And, King David, recognized that the God of Israel, was the true and rightful Sovereign King, as he cried out in Psalm 5:2, “Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you.” David understood and believed that His God, His King was Sovereign; He was the WATCHER…who protected and guarded with His Shield of Love…
My friends, I pray that you and I continue our Journey in Psalms, intent and determined to dig-in to God’s Word, to be tenacious and fervent to know our God more intimately, and to experience Him more profoundly. What assurance we have that our Heavenly Father watches…He watches…He watches…He never sleeps; He is never distracted; He is never too busy, or unavailable…Yes, He is always dependable and always and forever is and will be, who He says He is.
Enjoy your time as you are refreshed, renewed, revived, and absolutely reassured that your faithful God is watching over you…Summer blessings as you continue your Treasure Hunt!
Love you in Jesus,
The Treasure Hunt-Week Two
“Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.”
Psalms 119:37
Read a Psalm each day and journal your answers to the questions below.
*Monday-Psalm 11:1-7
*Tuesday-Psalm 13:1-6
*Wednesday-Psalm 14:1-7
*Thursday-Psalm 16:1-11
*Friday-Psalm 17:1-15
*Saturday-Write a prayer of praise and thanksgiving for what the LORD has done in your life. Who is your God? Make a list of the attributes of God you are discovering.
Questions for each day:
Record what you learn about God and His relationship with the author of the Psalm? Who is the author of each Psalm you study?
What do you learn about the LORD’s character?
Have you personally experienced this particular attribute or character trait of the LORD? If so, how?
What treasure have you discovered about your God? Who is your God?
Enjoy your Journey as you unpack God’s Truth and His Word. May you discover and experience The Greatest Treasure…and in the process, may you enjoy your, ‘irreplaceable Now Moments’, with your family, your friends, and your God.
