On weekly strolls down green fairways, my friend Matt would often voice the most recent difficulties facing his business. It was not uncommon for him to stress openly over the pressure of financial strain. “If [such and such] doesn’t happen, I won’t make payroll next week.” Or “If I can’t restructure this agreement, I’ll have to close up shop.” [Building a business is not for the fainthearted.] Yet after a while, I noticed a trend: A man of prayer, Matt always survived his predicament, and quite often in the most unforeseeable of ways. Repeatedly amazed, I finally suggested, “It’s clear God hears you; He keeps delivering you from these predicaments. You should keep a journal of your prayers and His provision, because He’s answering you without fail.” So, Matt did exactly that — he began to record his petitions and then God’s faithful provision. His journal continues to be for him a source of strength and a call to praise.
We have been considering God’s glory over the past few weeks. In our March 11 post, we learned it is for His glory that He formed and made us.1 And in last week’s post, we saw praiseworthiness in His very being: He is Jehovah Shalom, our peace; Jehovah Raah, our shepherd; Jehovah Nissi, our banner; Jehovah Tsidkenu, our righteousness; and El Shaddai, Lord God Almighty.2 We could add, El Elyon, “the Most High God.”3 We see His glory in who He is.
Yet as my friend Matt experienced, God also manifests His glory in what He does. Again, we see it in His names, His descriptions.
He is El Roi, “the God who sees me.”4 Have you ever sensed God’s intimate, personal presence amid the most difficult times of your life, or can you now see it in retrospect?
He is Jehovah Jireh, “the Lord will provide.”5 Can you recall a time when you “inexplicably” received exactly what you needed, be it financial provision or inner assurance?
He is Jehovah Rapha, “the Lord who heals you.”6 Have you ever witnessed God’s miraculous healing, whether within yourself or in someone you know? (I think this happens more often than we realize or recall.)
If you have experienced God in any of His works in or around you, then tell of them, for people draw strength from testimonies. And sing from your soul the glory due God’s name, not only for who He is, but also for what He does. “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name.”7
“You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?”8 To You be all glory in the heavens and in our hearts, now and forever. In Christ we live and in Him we pray. Amen.
1 Isaiah 43:6-7
2 See last week’s post for Biblical citations of these descriptions of God.
3 Genesis 14:18-20
4 Genesis 16:13
5 Genesis 22:14
6 Exodus 15:26
7 Psalm 105:1-3 NIV
8 Psalm 71:19 NLT
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Paul Nordman—Author 