Psalm 147:10-11 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
the Lord delights in those who fear him,
    who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Recast into modern terms, verse 10 would come out something like, “His pleasure is not in the strength of the Starship rocket, nor his delight in the capabilities of a massive AI system.” Those things are given simply as examples of things people might delight or trust in, in order to point out that God’s perspective is different. It’s not that those things are bad, it’s that they are temporal and so temporary, automatically limited in scope and significance. We have great difficulty grasping that everything on this earth is limited, that God is indeed the omniscient, omnipotent Creator, and everything physical exists only because He allows it. That realization, to whatever degree we achieve it, is indeed “the fear of the Lord.” We have no mental or emotional framework for understanding that in its totality, but God in His grace and love will reveal Himself to us if that is where our heart is. That is why the Bible so often pairs the fear of the Lord with hope in His unfailing love. Incidentally, the Japanese says “grace,” where the English says “unfailing love.” We don’t deserve it, but it’s there, if we can believe it. Some people sadly refuse to believe it, and that’s a tragedy indeed. However, it we repent of our pride and accept the faith that He offers to us, the blessings are literally out of this world.

In my youth I tended to trust in myself, not physically so much as intellectually, in being able to figure things out. Even apart from dramatic encounters, such as I’ve mentioned many times before, the Lord has taught me over the years that there’s absolutely nothing that is trustworthy like He is. He will never let me down, even when His answer to my situation isn’t what I would have preferred. He very literally knows how things will turn out in the long run, and He’s taught me to trust in that. That applies to minor things, such as weather and being able to pull weeds and cut grass, as well as to major things, such as the direction and future of this church. I am to be faithful in listening to and obeying Him, and leave the consequences up to Him. As a pastor, that’s something I want to impart to the flock, but some of them are as stubborn as I once was, and that’s saying something! I am to be patient with them, as God has been with me, and continue speaking the truth in love to them, so that the truth may set them free indeed. (John 8:32)

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the garden weeding I was able to do Thursday, and for the grass cutting I was able to do Friday and again yesterday. Thank You that the forecast indicates I’ll be able to complete it on Tuesday. Thank You for the healing Cathy is experiencing from her bronchitis. I ask Your strength for us both today, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. May we allow Your Spirit to flow through us and carry us along, accomplishing Your purposes for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!