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"He wraps up the waters in His clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight. He covers the face of the full moon, spreading His clouds over it. These are but the outer fringe of His works; how faint the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?" (Job 26:8,9,14).
Last night I stepped outside and viewed the full moon, partially obscured by the clouds. It was a beautiful evening with the distinct crisp feel of fall in the air. As much as I enjoy photography I am limited by both equipment and skill. Today's photo was taken from my backyard and is seen through the tall grasses planted next to our garden pond.
The moon was created by God on the fourth day of Creation where it is called "the lesser light to govern the night" (Genesis 1:16). The moon is mentioned all through the Bible culminating with a reference toward the end of the Book of Revelation concerning the eternal city of God where John writes, "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp" (Revelation 21:23).
A
consideration of the moon is one of those topics sure to reach all.
David, who spent much time tending his sheep by the light of the moon,
considered the enormity of God's universe and humbly stated, "When
I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the
stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of
him, the son of man that you care for him? (Psalm 8:3,4).
In today's text Job has not only dealt with the severity of his affliction but also responded to the intended encouragement of his friends. He launches into an astounding statement concerning God's power and greatness in His vast universe when he writes this interesting description, "He wraps up the waters in His clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight. He covers the face of the full moon, spreading His clouds over it."
God is sovereign and has created a cosmos (universe) that is orderly and harmonious with life on earth. Cosmos originates from a Greek term κόσμος which means "order, orderly arrangement" and is the antithetical concept to chaos. Chaos speaks of the original dark void from which everything else appeared in God's creation. Amazingly, He didn't have or need a panel of experts to bring order into our world He created!
The chapter ends with this gem of spiritual truth. "And these are but the outer fringe of His works; how faint the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?"
The NIV Study Bible notes concerning this passage, "What God has revealed of His dominion over nature and supernatural forces amounts to no more than a whisper. Job is impressed with the severely limited character of man's understanding. If it is difficult for us to comprehend the little that we know about God, how much more impossible it would be to understand the full extent of His might."
Let us recognize the absolute awe and infinitude of God. We can't see Him, but we see His work. We can't feel Him, but we know His touch. We can't hear Him but He speaks to us through the written Scriptures, His Holy Spirit, and through godly people of every generation. We are a finite people but we serve an infinite God who neither slumbers nor sleeps, but is always working on our behalf, whether we can see it or not. Let us be thankful today and worship and serve this Almighty God!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. You care for all of creation, the order of the universe, all people from past generations to the present, and You work powerfully and invisibly in our hearts. We are humbled by Your greatness and touched by Your kindness. We give You thanks and trust You for that which we don't understand. We see only the fringes of Your ways, but that reminds us that Your power is what creates the works established by Your hands. You are our God, the rock in whom we trust and take refuge. Amen.
Here's today's final Scripture text from two other common versions:
"Behold, these are the fringes of His ways; And how faint a word we hear of Him! But His mighty thunder, who can understand?" (NASV)
"Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?" (KJV)
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)
"Praise To The Lord, The Almighty" Audio mp3
"I Sing The Mighty Power Of God" Video
"All Creatures Of Our God And King" Video
Listen to
us share this message on your
audio player."How Faint The Whisper"
"He wraps up the waters in His clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight. He covers the face of the full moon, spreading His clouds over it. These are but the outer fringe of His works; how faint the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?" (Job 26:8,9,14).
Last night I stepped outside and viewed the full moon, partially obscured by the clouds. It was a beautiful evening with the distinct crisp feel of fall in the air. As much as I enjoy photography I am limited by both equipment and skill. Today's photo was taken from my backyard and is seen through the tall grasses planted next to our garden pond.
The moon was created by God on the fourth day of Creation where it is called "the lesser light to govern the night" (Genesis 1:16). The moon is mentioned all through the Bible culminating with a reference toward the end of the Book of Revelation concerning the eternal city of God where John writes, "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp" (Revelation 21:23).
In today's text Job has not only dealt with the severity of his affliction but also responded to the intended encouragement of his friends. He launches into an astounding statement concerning God's power and greatness in His vast universe when he writes this interesting description, "He wraps up the waters in His clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight. He covers the face of the full moon, spreading His clouds over it."
God is sovereign and has created a cosmos (universe) that is orderly and harmonious with life on earth. Cosmos originates from a Greek term κόσμος which means "order, orderly arrangement" and is the antithetical concept to chaos. Chaos speaks of the original dark void from which everything else appeared in God's creation. Amazingly, He didn't have or need a panel of experts to bring order into our world He created!
The chapter ends with this gem of spiritual truth. "And these are but the outer fringe of His works; how faint the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?"
The NIV Study Bible notes concerning this passage, "What God has revealed of His dominion over nature and supernatural forces amounts to no more than a whisper. Job is impressed with the severely limited character of man's understanding. If it is difficult for us to comprehend the little that we know about God, how much more impossible it would be to understand the full extent of His might."
Let us recognize the absolute awe and infinitude of God. We can't see Him, but we see His work. We can't feel Him, but we know His touch. We can't hear Him but He speaks to us through the written Scriptures, His Holy Spirit, and through godly people of every generation. We are a finite people but we serve an infinite God who neither slumbers nor sleeps, but is always working on our behalf, whether we can see it or not. Let us be thankful today and worship and serve this Almighty God!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. You care for all of creation, the order of the universe, all people from past generations to the present, and You work powerfully and invisibly in our hearts. We are humbled by Your greatness and touched by Your kindness. We give You thanks and trust You for that which we don't understand. We see only the fringes of Your ways, but that reminds us that Your power is what creates the works established by Your hands. You are our God, the rock in whom we trust and take refuge. Amen.
Here's today's final Scripture text from two other common versions:
"Behold, these are the fringes of His ways; And how faint a word we hear of Him! But His mighty thunder, who can understand?" (NASV)
"Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?" (KJV)
The Mastersonville New & Used Furniture, an Amish-owned
furniture store, is the
only business in the
rural village of Mastersonville Pennsylvania where we are serving a
part-time role in a country church built in 1878. I have established a
friendship with Roman Stoltzfus, the owner, and helped him create a
small website so he can have a presence on the World Wide Web! Here's a
google map of Mastersonville showing how rural it is.
A fellow Amishman is selling pumpkins, mums and other fall decorations from the front of the store. Doesn't this bench look like a great place to sit and fellowship with a friend!
Ester
just celebrated one full year at her job at TJ Maxx. Last
evening several friends stopped by to congratulate her and enjoy her
favorite meal; french dip roast beef sandwiches. Stan and Deb
Miller have been the leaders of her youth group since she started as a
seventh grader and demonstrate an ongoing interest in the young people
they have mentored. (A vitally important trait of effective and genuine
ministry.) They stopped by our home later last night on their way back
from a college weekend at Liberty University in Virginia where their
youngest son Phillip might attend. He came back very excited!
Brooksyne enjoys decorating for the seasons. Fall colors are especially vibrant and warm for photography. This arrangement is on our kitchen countertop and I like the miniature gourds on the mini hay bale.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Click on the link to open and play.
(In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)
"Praise To The Lord, The Almighty" Audio mp3
"I Sing The Mighty Power Of God" Video
"All Creatures Of Our God And King" Video
Send
a message to Stephen &
Brooksyne.
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Scripture
references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version.
© 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD
BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation,
New King James
Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the
King
James Version.
Personal
Mission Statement:
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ
I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord.
My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and
to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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Copyright 2009
Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
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