A Devo From Scot - Psalm 102
Dear Church,
While the perfection and beauty of heaven, in the full Kingdom and Reign of Jesus Christ, is and should be a compelling vision of hope for all believers, I want to draw your attention today to one specific thing we cannot do once we’re there. It’s something we can only do here, this side of heaven. There, the veil is removed and our worship of vision of Jesus is without interference or interruption. It is glorious, without night, curse, sin, pain or weeping. But that’s exactly the thing I want to call your attention to today. It’s only available here. Now. And that is worshipping Jesus from the midst of the pain. Still draped in the constant betrayal of our flesh. Still tormented by the enemy of God. Still living under the consequences of sin.
I want you to read Psalm 102 today. I’d love you to read it three times. Let the words speak to your heart and provide some vocabulary for your own struggles or your intercession for someone else.
From the beginning, you’ll hear words that can only be written here, this side of eternity. “Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress…” Isn’t that sentiment all too common here and now? Remember, pain and suffering make God seem to be distant, silent, even absent. That is the dastardly illusion of our enemy. The truth is He is close, near, vigilantly involved, compassionately conspiring for your good, growth, healing and maturity.
The author of this psalm ends with a powerfully stabilizing truth. God is eternal. He is unshakable. And through faith our mortality is swallowed up by His eternality. “Of old You founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. Even they will perish, but You will endure; and all of them will wear out like a garment; like clothing You will change them and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end. The children of Your servants will continue, and their descendants will be established before You.”
Today, you are still in history. Your feet are continually drawn downward to the crust of an unredeemed earth. Right now, sin and corruption are everywhere. Praise God, one day soon that will come to an end. But in this moment, you have the opportunity to offer God the gift of worship, faith, hope and adoration from within the rust, dark, corruption and stain. Perhaps that makes it all the sweeter. For your Father, and for you.
Let your heart give it a shot right now. Discipline your heart to remember to do it always.
I love you church.
Scot
While the perfection and beauty of heaven, in the full Kingdom and Reign of Jesus Christ, is and should be a compelling vision of hope for all believers, I want to draw your attention today to one specific thing we cannot do once we’re there. It’s something we can only do here, this side of heaven. There, the veil is removed and our worship of vision of Jesus is without interference or interruption. It is glorious, without night, curse, sin, pain or weeping. But that’s exactly the thing I want to call your attention to today. It’s only available here. Now. And that is worshipping Jesus from the midst of the pain. Still draped in the constant betrayal of our flesh. Still tormented by the enemy of God. Still living under the consequences of sin.
I want you to read Psalm 102 today. I’d love you to read it three times. Let the words speak to your heart and provide some vocabulary for your own struggles or your intercession for someone else.
From the beginning, you’ll hear words that can only be written here, this side of eternity. “Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress…” Isn’t that sentiment all too common here and now? Remember, pain and suffering make God seem to be distant, silent, even absent. That is the dastardly illusion of our enemy. The truth is He is close, near, vigilantly involved, compassionately conspiring for your good, growth, healing and maturity.
The author of this psalm ends with a powerfully stabilizing truth. God is eternal. He is unshakable. And through faith our mortality is swallowed up by His eternality. “Of old You founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. Even they will perish, but You will endure; and all of them will wear out like a garment; like clothing You will change them and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end. The children of Your servants will continue, and their descendants will be established before You.”
Today, you are still in history. Your feet are continually drawn downward to the crust of an unredeemed earth. Right now, sin and corruption are everywhere. Praise God, one day soon that will come to an end. But in this moment, you have the opportunity to offer God the gift of worship, faith, hope and adoration from within the rust, dark, corruption and stain. Perhaps that makes it all the sweeter. For your Father, and for you.
Let your heart give it a shot right now. Discipline your heart to remember to do it always.
I love you church.
Scot