Bound in Praise and Prayer
There is an interesting question in our lesson today talking about praiseworthy things God has done for us recently. It is interesting because it challenges us in our definition of praiseworthiness.
A beautiful sunset is definitely praiseworthy. A miraculous healing. Financial stability. A repaired relationship. Safety in the midst of a battle or accident. All praiseworthy.
But how far down the list do we go and still give praise?
In my life recently, the adversity has come not in big attacks but in little ones. The electrician who is not prompt in returning calls. The dishwasher that quit working. The upset stomach. A technical glitch. A stain on a shirt. None of these are big things in themselves, but added together they take a toll. You begin to feel like your life is fraying at the edges and you don’t know where it will stop. You don’t feel like you are standing on solid ground.
It can seem silly to turn these things over to God – to pray to Him about a dishwasher pump. But that is exactly what He wants us to do. God is not just the God of big battles, He is the God who protects us in the daily skirmishes of life. He is God over the universe and over every hair on your head.
My wife enjoys sewing and has made a number of quilts. It is the image of the quilt that brought this together for me. Like life, a quilt is made up of many small pieces, all fitting together, all stitched and joined together with threads. A quilt may or may not have a big central design but they do all have something in common, a binding. The binding of a quilt is what goes around the outside edge. It is what holds the pieces and layers all together and prevents it from fraying and tearing and falling apart. It is seldom beautiful or decorative, but it is critical. It is also normally sewn on by hand with great work and time and attention to detail.
This week I’m reminded to praise God for His handwork in the binding of the quilt of life He has given me.
My Answers:
6.
a.
Wisdom and Power, He changes times and seasons, He deposes kings and raises up others, He gives wisdom to the wise, knowledge to the discerning, reveals deep and hidden things, knows what lies in darkness, light dwells in Him, God of my ancestors. (given me wisdom and power, made known to me what we asked of you, made known to us the dream of the king)
b.
He is seeing me through a time of adversity where many things in my life seemed under attack and fraying at the edges.
7.
a.
(see v.28 – all to God) God knows and controls all about all kingdoms of the earth (past present future), He allows them power and deposes them. His kingdom will rule over all others, crushing them and bringing them to an end and then enduring forever
b.
I am assured that I am part of that kingdom by the seal of the Holy Spirit in my soul
The Notes are Good 