2/5/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
A friend once said to me, “I wouldn’t have so much trouble with the God of the Bible if he didn’t seem so self-centered.” I asked what led to this conclusion, as it was not one I had ever reached. “He wants people to spend time telling him how great he is. That just doesn’t seem right.” Psalm 138 gives us a great chance to explore this issue. In the last half of verse two it says, “for you have exalted above all things your name and your word” (Ps. 138:2, ESV). God seems to think his name and his word are awfully important. What’s going on here?
To keep the answer short and sweet, the reason God thinks so highly of himself is that he is making a reasoned and fair assessment. He created and sustains everything. He understands it all. He is all wise, all good, all knowing, all powerful, and able to rescue any who are in need. He understands our struggle in this earthly life and our need for eternal salvation. He, and nobody else, is able to provide that. To my assessment, God ought to feel incredibly good about himself. We only object to it when we picture God as one of us.
With the Psalmist, then, I’m going to give thanks to God. With the leading of God, I will exalt the name God has exalted. When you show that you are truly like God, I’ll exalt your name. Until then, I know who is worthy of praise.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
A friend once said to me, “I wouldn’t have so much trouble with the God of the Bible if he didn’t seem so self-centered.” I asked what led to this conclusion, as it was not one I had ever reached. “He wants people to spend time telling him how great he is. That just doesn’t seem right.” Psalm 138 gives us a great chance to explore this issue. In the last half of verse two it says, “for you have exalted above all things your name and your word” (Ps. 138:2, ESV). God seems to think his name and his word are awfully important. What’s going on here?
To keep the answer short and sweet, the reason God thinks so highly of himself is that he is making a reasoned and fair assessment. He created and sustains everything. He understands it all. He is all wise, all good, all knowing, all powerful, and able to rescue any who are in need. He understands our struggle in this earthly life and our need for eternal salvation. He, and nobody else, is able to provide that. To my assessment, God ought to feel incredibly good about himself. We only object to it when we picture God as one of us.
With the Psalmist, then, I’m going to give thanks to God. With the leading of God, I will exalt the name God has exalted. When you show that you are truly like God, I’ll exalt your name. Until then, I know who is worthy of praise.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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