January 29, 2015

“How deep I find your thoughts, O G*d. How great is the sum of them..” Psalm 139:17

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

How deep I find your thoughts. There have been many deep thoughts written in this world – by prophets – by deep thinkers, philosophers and the like – Nietzsche, Einstein, Dostoyevsky, Buddha, to name just a few. But we also have Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Paul – even Isaiah and Ezekiel. The bible shares with us many different voices of deep thinkers – but the most profound thoughts come from Jesus, who was G*d himself. Within sixty-six books of the bible some of the deepest thoughts have been shared with you and me – wise thoughts – deep thoughts – saving words of love and grace – words that all of us can absorb, read, meditate, and pray upon.

In his sermon “God’s Thoughts Toward Us”, Rev. Carl Haak said:

“When we are in ways of personal distress and sorrow, it can be a great comfort to hear a brother or sister say, “I will be thinking about you. You will be in my prayers and thoughts.” Or a parent says to a child who will face a way of testing, “I will remember you. I will carry you in my heart and in my thoughts.” In those words, “I will be thinking about you,” we wish to convey two things. First, our love. To be mindful of another person in his trial and sorrow is the essence of love. Secondly, we express our helplessness. We are saying that the other person is beyond our ability to help. Therefore, although those words are very reassuring, their thoughts cannot actually change anything. Soaring far above that is the Word of G*d… G*d says that, moment by moment, He thinks of us; that there is a constant stream of divine thought towards His children in Christ; and that never, for one moment, are we out of those thoughts.”

One of the best spiritual practices I can recommend to you, as a pastor, is to memorize scripture. It is amazing how G*d can speak to you and to me in a verse that you memorize and can repeat in a meditative and prayerful manner. It is a powerful way we can learn how deep are G*d’s words – how great is the sum of them.

Take a verse today and spend time with it – memorize it – meditate on it – and find how deep G*d’s thoughts really are.

Pastor Dave