BLESS THE INTERRUPTIONS

Good morning everyone.

 

Here is today's Bible lesson:

 

BLESS THE INTERRUPTIONS

 

READ:

Psalms 33:10-15

 

The LORD...makes the plans

of the peoples of no effect.

The counsel of the LORD

stands forever.  -Psalm 33:10-11

 

If your life is anything like mine, it's pretty well planned out.  I have a calendar that reminds me of appointments, meetings, and other "to-do" items.  Inevitably, interruptions change my day dramatically; and while they can be frustrating, they also can be productive.

 

Some of the great advances in God's plans have come through "interruptions" to the normal routine.  Take Mary, for example.  An angel interrupted her life with the announcement that she would have a son named Jesus.  Since she was a virgin and engaged to be married, this news was undoubtedly shocking and deeply troubling (Luke 1:26-31).  And Saul, the Jewish zealot who persecuted early Christians, was on his way to Damascus to arrest more followers of "the Way" when he was blinded by Jesus Himself (Acts 9:1-9).  This life-changing interruption had huge implications for the future of Christianity.

 

The psalmist reminds us that the Lord can make "the plans of the people of no effect" (Psalm 33:10).  Yet all too often we respond to the interruptions of our well-ordered lives with attitudes like frustration, irritation, fear, and doubt.  God's surprises in our day are full of opportunities.  Let's welcome them as a new "to-do list" from Him. -Joe Stowell

 

Lord, if I'm feeling rushed today,

I need Your eyes to help me see

That when an interruption comes,

It is an opportunity. -Sper

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Look for God purpose in your next interruption.

 

INSIGHT

Today's  reading from Psalm 33 highlights several of God's attributes-immanence, transcendence, and sovereignty-and tells us how they all work together.  Immanence is God's closeness to us; His personal presence with us.  His transcendence is, in essence, His distance from us; He is far beyond our understanding.  Sovereignty is God's ruling of all things; His sustaining of creation and governing of human affairs.  The psalmist tells us that "from heaven...the place of His dwelling" (transcendence) He "looks" and "sees all the sons of men," and He "fashions their hearts individually" (immanence, vv. 13-15).  The psalmist also says that from His throne (transcendence) He shows He is sovereign, ruling over the affairs of humanity to accomplish His purpose which can never be thwarted (vv. 10-11).

Have a blessed day and week ahead.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace