In His Words

Let God be true and every man a liar.  (Romans 3:4) 

The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.  For He has founded it upon the seas  And established it upon the rivers.  Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?   And who may stand in His holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart,   He who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully.  He shall receive a blessing from the LORD And righteousness from the God of his salvation.  (Psalm 24:1-3)

 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made; all the heavenly bodies by the breath of his mouth.  He gathered the oceans into a single place; he put the deep water into storehouses.  Let all the world fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him; because he spoke and it came to be, because he commanded, it stood firm.  (Psalm 33:6-9)

“I form light and create darkness, I make goodness and create disaster. I am the Lord, who does all these things.  “Shout, you skies above, and you clouds, and let righteousness stream down.  I am the one who says to the earth, ‘Let salvation blossom, and let righteousness sprout forth.’  “Woe to the one who quarrels with his makers, a mere potsherd with the potsherds of the earth! Woe to the one who says to the one forming him, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no human hands?’!  Woe to the one who says to his father,  ‘What are you begetting?’ or to a woman, ‘To what are you giving birth?’!”  This is what the Lord says, the Creator of the signs: “Question me about my children? Or give me orders about the work of my hands?  I myself made the earth and personally created humankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the skies; I marshaled all their starry hosts.” (Isaiah 45:7-12)

The Lord does whatever pleases him in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all it's deep regions. He makes the clouds rise from the ends of the earth; fashioning lightning for the rain, bringing the wind from his storehouses. (Psalm 135:6-7)  He shields the heavens with clouds, preparing rain for the earth and making grass grow on the hills. (Psalm 147:8)

He sends out his command to the earth, making his word go forth quickly. He supplies snow like wool, scattering frost like ashes.  He casts down his ice crystals like bread fragments. Who can endure his freezing cold? He sends out his word and melts them. He makes his wind blow and the water flows. (Psalm 147:15-18)

He made the earth by his power. He established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding he spread out the heavens.   When his voice sounds, there is thunder from the waters of heaven, and he makes clouds rise up from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and brings wind out of his storehouses.  (Jeremiah 51:15-16)

God thunders with His voice wondrously, doing great things which we cannot comprehend.  For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’  And to the downpour and the rain, ‘Be strong.’ He seals the hand of every man, that all men may know His work. (Job 37:5-7)

Look! The one who crafts mountains; who creates the wind, who reveals what he is thinking to mankind, who darkens the morning light, who tramples down the high places of the land— the Lord, the God of the Heavenly Armies is his name.  (Amos 4:15)

 

  God is truly awesome, beyond what we know; the number of his years is unknowable.  He draws up drops of water, distilling it to rain and mist.   When the clouds pour down; they drop their rain on all of humanity.  “Furthermore, can anyone understand cloud patterns, or the thundering in his pavilion?  He scatters his lightning above it, and covers the bottom of the sea.  He uses them to judge some people and give food to many.  His hands are covered with lightning that he commands to strike his designated target.  His thunder declares his presence; and tells the animals what is coming.”  (Job 36:26-33)

From the south, a whirlwind proceeds, out of the icy north winds.  From the breath of God ice is produced, and a wide body of water is frozen.  He also loads the clouds with moisture, scattering his lightning with the clouds.  It whirls about in circles at his direction to accomplish all that he commands throughout the surface of the entire world, whether for discipline on his land or to demonstrate his gracious love, he causes it to be realized.  (Job 37:9-13)

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet. (Psalm 8:3-6)

The Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He stores up sound wisdom for the upright and is a shield to those who walk in integrity—guarding the paths of the just and protecting the way of his faithful ones.  You will understand what is right, just, and upright—every good path, for wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.  (Proverbs 2:6-10)

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not depend on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  Do not be wise in your own opinion. Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.  This will bring healing to your body,  (Proverbs 3:5-8)

 A man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)  

If a man’s steps are directed by the Lord; how then can anyone understand his own way?  (Proverbs 20:24)

Lord, Direct my footsteps by your promise, and do not let any kind of iniquity rule over me.  (Psalm 119:133)

My feet stay where his footsteps lead; I kept on his pathway and haven’t turned aside.  I haven’t wandered away from the commands that he has spoken; I’ve treasured what he has said more than my own meals.” (Job 23:11-12)    

Because my steps have held fast to your paths, my footsteps have not faltered.  I call upon you, for you will answer me, God. Listen closely to me and hear my prayer.  Show forth your gracious love, save those who take refuge in you from those who rebel against your sovereign power.  Protect me as the most precious part of the eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings  (Psalm 17:5-8)

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, making the Lord his trust. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by a stream. He won’t fear when the heat comes, his leaves will be green. In a year of drought he won’t be concerned, nor will he stop producing fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

How joyful is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding, because her profit is better than the profit of silver, and her yield than fine gold.  She is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.  Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are riches and honor.   Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peaceful.  She is a tree of life for those who embrace her, and whoever clutches her tightly will be joyful.    (Proverbs 3:13-20) 

Indeed, what a man does is always in the Lord’s presence, and he weighs all his paths.  (Proverbs 5:21)

A man’s steps are established by the LORD, and the LORD delights in his way.  Though he stumbles, he will not fall down flat, for the LORD will hold up his hand.  I once was young and now I am old, but I have not seen a righteous person forsaken or his descendants begging for bread.  Every day he is generous, lending freely, and his descendants are blessed. (Psalm 37:23-26)

 I lift up my eyes toward the mountains— from where will my help come?   My help is from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth.  He will never let my foot slip, nor will my guardian become drowsy.  Look! The one who is guarding Israel never sleeps and does not take naps.  The Lord is my guardian; the Lord is my shade at your right side.  The sun will not ravage me by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will guard me from all evil, preserving my life.  The Lord will guard my goings and comings, from this time on and forever.  (Psalm 121)

 

For who is God but the LORD, and who is a Rock other than our God?— the God who clothes me with strength, and who makes my way upright; who makes my feet swift as the deer; who makes me stand on high places. You have given to me the shield of your deliverance, and your right hand holds me up; gentleness made me great. You make a broad place for my steps, so my feet won’t slip. (Psalm 18:31-36)

I waited expectantly for the LORD, and he took notice of me and heard my cry.   He plucked me out of a pit of confusion, even out of the quicksand; he placed my feet on a rock and established my steps.  He put a new song in my mouth, to our God! Many will watch and be in awe, and they will place their trust in the LORD.  How blessed is that strong person who places his trust in the LORD, and who has not acknowledged the proud nor resorted to lies.  LORD, my God, You have done great things: marvelous works and your thoughts toward us. There is no one who compares to you! I will try to recite your actions, even though there are too many to number.  (Psalm 40:1-5)

Worship the Lord in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth. Declare among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” Indeed, he established the world so that it will not falter. He will judge people fairly. The heavens will be glad and the earth will rejoice; even the sea and everything that fills it will roar. The field and all that is in it will rejoice; then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy in the LORD’s presence, because he is coming; indeed, he will come to judge the earth. He will judge the world fairly and its people reliably. (Psalm 96:9-13)

Hear my cry, O God;  Give heed to my prayer.  From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;   Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For You have been a refuge for me,  A tower of strength against the enemy.  Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.  (Psalm 61:1-4)

 Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon him while he is near.  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous person his thoughts. Let him return to the Lord, So he’ll have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he’ll pardon abundantly.  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and are your ways my ways?” declares the Lord.  “For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.  For just as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, yielding seed for the sower and bread for eating, so will my message be that goes out of my mouth— it won’t return to me empty. Instead, it will accomplish what I desire, and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  For you will go out in joy, and come back with peace; the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees in the fields will clap their hands.  Instead of thornbushes, pine trees will grow, and instead of briers, myrtles will grow; and they will be a sign for the Lord, and an everlasting name that will not be cut off."  (Isaiah 55:6-13)

Be in awe, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations.  I will be exalted throughout the Earth.  (Psalm 46:10)

 Trust in the LORD and do good. Dwell in the land and feed on faithfulness.  Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  (Psalm 37:3-4)

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In My Words

Thank you, Lord, for such a magnificent day!  One of the best!   Dayenu!   I am still in awe of the Snoquera Trail and all it's unexpected treasures.  I felt Your presence so strongly there as You fulfilled the desires of my heart on this day. Desires I didn't even know were there in fact!   The rain held back, the snow fell lightly, and the whirlwinds at the top were amazing and awe-inspiring. They were so brisk and strong, it was like we had entered another world there for a few minutes.  As my beloved said, "Everest!"   I loved that part the most and was not afraid though those winds should have terrified.  The fall colors and textures of rock among leaves, moss and snow delighted my eyes and soul.  I couldn't help but take many pictures as the views were so pleasant and unexpected.  Of course, my beloved leading the way provided further joy and beauty to each scene as we ascended and descended.   Thank you for keeping our physical pain at a minimum and special thanks for not letting "the magnet" take me off the cliff - You know the spot I'm referring to.  The whole day was nourishment to my soul and You never fail to teach me as I walk.

As we were heading back down the mountain, Mark said to me, "I wish 'so and so' could see you hiking like this.  Wouldn't they be amazed?"  We've had this conversation before (in regard to the fact that I'm legally blind and hiking on mountain tops)  but this time my answer was much more thought out.  In fact, my answer to that question had been on the tip of my tongue for the entire hike.  Only it was more about You than me, Lord.  

I said, "No, they wouldn't be amazed. They'd find some way to twist the accomplishment into an ash heap or make it all about them regardless of how magnificent it might be, simply because 'I' did it."   Mark agreed unaware that He had just entered into a conversation that You and I had been having for the entire ascent. 

This is exactly how so many people treat You, Lord.  Even those who say they know You.  (1 John 1:6)  They twist the marvelous works of Your Creation into allegories or random accidents.  They call the warnings and/or blessings ascribed to us through Your presence in weather, "Mother Nature."   They refer to Your Word as outdated, useless and defective and thus refuse to read anything containing it - including this entry.  "Jesus" is a swear word and calling sin what it is equates to a hate crime.  They label Your truth a lie, Your morals perverse, and Your laws too cumbersome, while they embrace "The Liar" distinguishing themselves as enlightened - even gods.  They fail to perceive that rejecting parts or all of Your truth is inviting disaster, even total destruction. 

It really doesn't matter what You do, they despise it. Certainly, it is these whom You warned us not to share our pearls with.  (Matthew 7:6)  Assuredly, Psalm 18:25-26 is also true: to the holy, You show Your gracious love, to the upright, You show yourself upright;  to the pure, You show Yourself pure, and to the morally corrupt, You appear to be perverse.


I know how You must feel - to a much lesser degree of course. This is that "shared suffering" You speak of here (1 Peter 4:12-14) and You are certainly my promised comfort in that.  I am also aware that this no grand surprise to you. (Romans 1:18-23) And while I am disturbed by the various ways Your glories are trampled here on Earth, I also pity those who will never truly know You.  Furthermore, I pity the ones who believe they know you while their deeds and confessions prove they obviously do not.  Those who profane Your Name in this manner while claiming to be Your children are the hardest to turn back to You.

But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, “You are my God.”  My times are in Your hand;   Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me.  Make Your face to shine upon Your servant;   Save me in Your lovingkindness.   Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I call upon You;  Let the wicked be put to shame, let them be silent in in the grave.   Let the lying lips be mute which speak arrogantly against the righteous with pride and contempt.  How great is Your goodness which You have stored up for those who fear You,  which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You  before the sons of men!  You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man;  You keep them secretly in a shelter away from the strife of tongues.  Blessed be the LORD!  (Psalm 31:14-21)

Amen and Amen.

Psalm 104:1-35