There is beauty all around me, with bright blue sky, soft white clouds, green trees and verdure, with the bright colours of many flower faces. What a pleasure and honour to acknowledge that all have been created by God, and this is a day to celebrate creation, and rest from normal work and labour. I have also been created by God, and in the latter end of my life I probably do not add a great deal to the beauty before referred to, and I know that not all is beautiful in my mind and actions. I know that God has and will continue to improve my character, because this is my desire, and He has promised to fill us with ever more of His beautifying love over time because my heart is given to Him. James 1: 19 – 21 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
It is our precious Savour Jesus Christ, who produces righteousness and beauty within the heart. I am so glad this is so. But it does not come just by passively wishing it were so or using Gods word as a pillow! 1 John 5: 3 – 5 “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” Considering it is sinful doing under the sin General Satan, that makes up this world, and sin is offensive to God, how wonderful that we can be reborn and overcome our worldliness through Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15: 57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
As usual with Gods promises, we are not left alone to overcome the hold that Satan and sin have on us. The hold of Satan is strong and we are weak; but in Christ we are made strong; for He has overcome Satan. Roman 8: 31, 32 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? The judgement about the wickedness and conniving of Satan was absolutely made in heaven, when Jesus died on the cross and the fate of Satan was fore ever sealed. That has not stopped his attacks and delusions upon all who have since lived on this earth; but we do not need to share with Satan in his final demise. We have Jesus as our representative in heaven even now interceding on our behalf, His atoning blood that washes away all record of our sin so we are covered by His righteousness. For those who have given their lives to Jesus, this is such good news; we have Christ Himself as our Advocate representative. We do not then need to fear the judgement of heaven. Hebrews 4: 14-16 “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
With gratitude, I finish my reflection upon You God, with words from Psalm 84: 8 “O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! V 10, 11 “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” How wonderful that we have ‘the Lord God’ as our light, as bright as the sun, and that You God not only act as our shield, but give to us grace and glory.