A Few Minutes with God: A Devotional on Psalm 90:17b The Beauty of The Lord be Upon Us
Posted: Sunday, May 01, 2011
by Teresa Ortiz
Freelance writer/Speaker
"..And let the beauty of the LORD our GOD be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands." Psalm 90:17
Funny that I am reminded of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's, Veruca Salt after reading this passage. Her snotty little voice rang through my head, "But I want it now, daddy!"
Sadly enough, many of today's churches are filled with preachers who teach that we can demand of God, and as His children we have a rights. "It's not God's will that you drive a pinto - you deserve a Rolls- Royce" It makes me sick to see such arrogance.
How wonderful it would be if these prayers of asking/demanding God's "beauty" upon us would turn back to the simple prayer of Moses in time past. What would we, those who call ourselves Christians look like to the world? What is the beauty of the LORD? Grace. Mercy. Patience. Love. Instruction. What if we allowed Him to establish the works of our hands? It would seem to me that we would be more about caring and giving with a heart filled with grace, patience, and love. It just might be that our message would be easier to receive, not to mention instruction or discipline if the circumstance arose.
Unfortunately, it is evident that many Christians might mean blessing and not necessarily beauty, when considering this prayer. God forgive us. If we truly want others to come to know Christ, we must show them a Christ worth knowing.
Father, help me to be a faithful and genuine witness of your love. Give me a heart like yours. May I be humble in all things, willing to admit my faults. Father, I desire your beauty to be upon me. Lay before me what you would have me do this day. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Funny that I am reminded of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's, Veruca Salt after reading this passage. Her snotty little voice rang through my head, "But I want it now, daddy!"
How wonderful it would be if these prayers of asking/demanding God's "beauty" upon us would turn back to the simple prayer of Moses in time past. What would we, those who call ourselves Christians look like to the world? What is the beauty of the LORD? Grace. Mercy. Patience. Love. Instruction. What if we allowed Him to establish the works of our hands? It would seem to me that we would be more about caring and giving with a heart filled with grace, patience, and love. It just might be that our message would be easier to receive, not to mention instruction or discipline if the circumstance arose.
Unfortunately, it is evident that many Christians might mean blessing and not necessarily beauty, when considering this prayer. God forgive us. If we truly want others to come to know Christ, we must show them a Christ worth knowing.
Father, help me to be a faithful and genuine witness of your love. Give me a heart like yours. May I be humble in all things, willing to admit my faults. Father, I desire your beauty to be upon me. Lay before me what you would have me do this day. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Father, help me to be a faithful and genuine witness of your love. Give me a heart like yours. May I be humble in all things, willing to admit my faults. Father, I desire your beauty to be upon me. Lay before me what you would have me do this day. In the name of Jesus, Amen.Are these your words Teresa or did they come from scripture?Good morning David. These are my words and the deepest desire of my heart is to be a true reflection of Jesus. Though I have a long way to go, I want stop allowing God to do His great work in me. Blessings to you! T
Preach it Girl! I suspect that blab it and grab it is not in the Bible... what about those suffering and being persecuted for Christ? Wow what an affront to them (and us) - thanks for tackling this one!"Blab it and grab it"? LOL I hadn't heard it put this way! No, not in the Bible. Closest is Jesus when he said, "If you abide in my word and my word abides in you, then you will ask and it will be given to you." Some people forget this part. Yes, very hurtful and insulting to our brothers and sisters in Christ who do not have the Luxeries and freedoms that we Westerners have. Thanks for the support! Hugs, TI suspect that (blab it and grab it) is a more accurate description of "name it and claim it" Yes, HIS WILL and not confessing cadillacs - some of their stuff would fit right in with "mind sciences" which do not use the mind and aren't science (like Christian Scientists) ancient Gnosticism I believe it was.... Satan is not creative and uses the same lies he always has... trying to make us believe either that God isn't God or that we are.... ugh!I agree completelyAnd me as well. Well said, Teresa and Marijo.
Hi Brianna - thank you for your thoughts! I've seen new Christians destroyed and confused by this kind of teaching.
This is very heartfelt, Teresa, it really touched me. I think it could speak to people of all denominations. Thanks.Hi Jennifer. This is the most wonderful compliment. God's word was never intended for any one denomination. It is intended for every man/woman from every nation - It's men who stake claim. It is my heart and to share the word of God without regard to denominational thinking. I'm glad it came through in this devotional and that you were touched. Blessings! Teresa
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