8-26-2017

Good Morning All,

                  Exodus 15:11; “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?  Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?”

     So are you in awe?  A few days ago, we experienced a lunar eclipse and the nation was in awe.  People from all over the country flew or drove to a spot where they could see the eclipse in its totality and they sat and watched in awe.  I listened to NPR as they interviewed people.  One man began to cry and sob to the point where he could not speak; “It is so awesome, I am overwhelmed.”  For a couple of hours, we were a people in awe of the amazing feat of God’s physical law.

     Today, there is a different awe.  A large hurricane is heading for Texas, the most powerful one since 1961.  People and driving to get out of the way.  They are currently predicting that places may get between 20-25 inches of rain with some spots hitting 40 inches of rain.  They are predicting a storm surge of sea water at 9-13 feet over ground level.  One mayor of a city under mandatory evacuation order said that he was suggesting that folks who plan on staying write their name and social security number on their arm with a permanent marker.  As of this writing, it has not made shore yet but we are in awe of the size, power and volume.  We wonder what tomorrow will bring especially with thoughts of Hurricane Katrina in our memories.

    We live in a time when awe is not something we experience very often.  We accept most changes as mundane and expected.  But every so often, the nation is awed by events that are beyond our scope and beyond our power.  We cannot make the moon cause darkness in our land; we cannot make or stop a massive storm in our land.  We can’t do it but God can.

    Our verse is from a section of Scriptures called “Moses’ Song.”  It was sung by the Israelites after they had crossed the Red Sea on dry ground and watched as the mighty Egyptian army drown as the sea returned.  The Israelites witnessed two events that left them in awe.  They remained in awe while they sang, danced and celebrated the wonder of God freeing them from the bondage of slavery that they endured in Egypt.  We should be in awe of Jesus freeing us from the bondage of sin.

    In two awe-inspiring events, death on cross and then the resurrection, we are given new life and new hope.  God is an awesome God who displays his love for us by redeeming us with His own blood that we might be saved.  This is something that you and I can never accomplish by ourselves.  It is truly awesome what God does for us.  We thank Him and praise Him for the awesome love He gives us.

Heavenly Father, we sit in awe at your love and compassion.  You looked upon your people and had mercy on them and with awe you brought them back into your holy family.  We ask that you continue this awesome love and protect your children from the attacks of the devil, this world, and sin.  Keep us under your holy wing that we may be safe.  In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret