Saturday, August 15, 2015

Let’s go to the beach!

Saturday 8-15-15 (Home in Modesto)

Scripture reading:  Jer. 18 – 20    Ps 93   John 17

S=Scripture O=Observation A=Application P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.


S.  Ps 93:2-4  Your throne, O LORD, has been established from time immemorial. You yourself are from the everlasting past.  The mighty oceans have roared, O LORD.  The mighty oceans roar like thunder; the mighty oceans roar as they pound the shore. But mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore — the LORD above is mightier than these! NLT


O.  The psalmist takes us to the seashore for a lesson in God’s great power.


A.  Our family was not wealthy when we were young.  We seldom, if ever purchased new clothing… only used.  Yet our parents found a way to take us on vacation to the Oregon coast only 80 miles distant each summer.  It was one of the highlights of our lives.  There is great variety on the Oregon coast; beautiful gentle beaches contrast with mighty rock cliffs that rise out of the sea.  Huge sand dunes cover one area and mountains and a rain forest of giant trees and thick foliage another.  Powerful ocean breakers roar as they pound against those cliffs sometimes picking up timbers weighing tons and dashing them like tooth-picks against the rocks.  My mother would sit on the little porch of our cabin and write poetry as we played on the beach below.  


P.  So, Lord, Your inspired Psalm 93 takes me back to my childhood days and I see and hear once more those awesome sights and sounds.  Yet with all this display of beauty and power, You are more beautiful and mightier than these!  I see the handiwork of my Creator and I am humbled and feel privileged to be invited into Your Divine Presence.  Thank You for opening the door of Your sanctuary to me, Your finite creature.  I bow, lost in worship at Your feet today!  Amen.

(The following video taken on the Oregon coast is worth waiting the 12 seconds for the ad to finish.)  http://www.kval.com/news/local/69699117.html?tab=video&c=y


Ralph


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