Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Just God Thursday, December 27, 2007 Psalm 97:1-2 The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. That thick cloudy stuff around God is what I see most of the time. I wonder if that's because I'm too busy trying to survive and take care of myself to really value what this psalm calls righteousness and justice. I don't know if it's true, but I usually think Mother Teresa and other heroes of virtue see God a lot more clearly than I do. Are the thick clouds lifted for them? More likely the thick clouds I see are the result of my own obtuseness, my own unwillingness to look straight into the eyes of righteousness. Compromise, political correctness, self-protectiveness ... all these describe what I do too much of. I rationalize all these behaviors too easily. I do what those around me do. I have to take care of myself. The standards set for me, and those I set for others, are just so darn low. I might admire those who rise above them, but I don't expect often enough to rise that high myself. So the clouds stay thick. God doesn't move, but I do. I avert my eyes, or complain about the darkness. Silence from the throne. Will I do what it takes to receive the love God pours out for me? Today? One day at a time? How much will I give up the protective mask and sword and shield to know God? Those are good questions. I need to ask them every day. And discover much better weather around the throne. Whenever you seem distant or unapproachable or just clouded over, Lord, let me see my own heart. "; Add      Edit    Delete