We’re taking a little break from the grind. We’ve headed south for a few days and this is our view. The feel of the surf winds, the wave sounds, and the magnificent scenery all remind me of how incredibly good our God is. Paul put it best:
When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. Ephesians 3:14-15
As I’m thinking about the Creator and His creation, I’m distracted by a voice I hear in between the crash of the waves. A beautiful, sweet voice praising our Lord on the beach. The voice sings one word over and over, Amen, and that really just says it all. As I watch, the voice lifts her arms and her face toward Heaven and continues the Amen praise. I find myself joining in this impromptu praise from my balcony perch. It’s Sunday and a little later we’re headed to Church, but I feel I’m already there.
The view from my seat is a little different than in years past, not quite as high. This view is slightly obstructed by a palm tree. Now, I have nothing against palm trees, but this one happens to be in my way. As you can see, it is obstructing the sunrise. Despite the obstruction, I’m still reminded of the length and breadth of God’s love.
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
Ephesians 3:16-18
I read about Charles Inglis, a ship’s captain, who once had a passenger, a German, 19th century evangelist, George Muller. Mr. Muller had a speaking engagement at a certain place and time. Because of the dense fog, which had kept Captain Inglis on watch for 24 hours, that engagement was in jeopardy. Mr. Muller suggested to the Captain that they head to the chart-room for prayer. Captain Inglis says:
I looked at that man of God and thought to myself, What lunatic asylum could that man have come from. I never heard of such a thing as this. “Mr. Muller, do you know how dense this fog is?” Mr. Muller replied, “No, my eye is not on the density of the fog, but on the living God, who controls every circumstance of my life.”
He knelt down and prayed one of those simple prayers, and when he had finished I was going to pray; but, he put his hand on my shoulder and told me not to pray. “firstly,” he said, “because you do not believe God will, and secondly, I believe God has, and there is no need whatever for you to pray about it.”
George Muller said, “Captain, I have known my Lord for fifty-seven years, and there has never been a single day that I have failed to get an audience with the King. Get up and open the door, and you will find the fog has gone.”
I Will Life Up Mine Eyes, Glenn Clark
Our view of the Son may sometimes be obstructed, but our faith and our praise can bring it fully into sight. Our prayers and our praise will cause the fog to dissipate and give us a clear view.
Interestingly enough, as the songstress concludes her praise, the sun comes into full view on the horizon. The view that was once obstructed is now fully visible. Some would say it is the tilt of the earth, I say it is an answer to prayer.
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:19-20
…The praise being offered at the beach was the exact same praise we sang that morning at a Church we attend when we’re this way. Further confirmation that prayer and praise, focusing on the God who controls everything versus the obstruction hiding our view, always clears the way ahead to see the Son. He is just that good.