Grains of Sand

Pixabay Today we don't think much about horsepower—as in the actual power of a horse!  But in Biblical times what the mighty steed was capable of was pretty awe-inspiring. Fans of Ben Hur will remember Charlton Heston's great chariot race. These days we measure horsepower by what is under the hood. But even then, the fastest automobile is humbled compared to the power generated to launch missiles or space shuttles. But we get the message when the psalmist writes: " His [God's] pleasure is not in the strength of the horse... " (Psalm 147:10). One horse power, or many, as beautiful as those may be, do not reach His highest standard. What's under the hood doesn't impress Him. Rocket fuel can't hold a candle to the sun. None of it holds up all the time, under every circumstance. And I chuckle at the next part of the verse: " ...nor his delight in the legs of a man. " I was out this morning for a lovely walk through my new neighbourhood...

I just returned from a trip to the Caribbean. One of our stops was on the island of Haiti. We took a tour by launch of some of the northern coastline. As our guide explained some of the history of the island, we could see a number of fishing vessels out on the water. Some of the boats, or lateens, were being driven by the wind. Their sails were curious combinations of bedsheets and other materials sewn together. The guide explained that these boats had no motors. If the wind was blowing in the right direction the fishermen could let the sails do all the work. Otherwise they had to row—sometimes from several miles out against the wind and the waves! As I read Psalm 53 this morning these fishing boats came to mind. The psalm begins with this declaration: " The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' " (53:1). The psalmist then goes on to describe the difficulty of denying God and ends with a note of triumph on behalf of those who believe and will ultimately see G...

Abijah, the King of Judah, is surrounded by troops from Jeroboam's army (2 Chronicles 13). Superior forces with what looks like an infallible plan. But, God… It's amazing what a "But, God…" can mean in a believer's life. Abijah relied on God, and those superior enemy forces fled and Jeroboam's infallible plan crumbled. Are you facing what appears to be a superior force bent on destroying you? Does it look like you are boxed in and have no place to go? You may be surrounded but if you are surrendered to God, He always has a way out for you. Victory is guaranteed for those who rely on Him.