“Limitless”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Monday, September 26, 2022
Psalm 89:1-18 (Forward, p. 59) CEV p. 609
It is often said that comparisons are odious, meaning simply that they are repugnant and unpleasant, and therefore should be avoided. This is particularly true when it comes to humans, to comparing one person, often unfavourably, with another.
However, that cannot be said about God. In fact, in one sense, nothing else and no one else actually comes close, actually bears any meaningful comparison. This is the theme of today’s psalm and here our psalmist draws up some comparisons with other things and beings, feeble and not ‘in the same league’ as they be:
a) The heavenly beings, all of them fear Him and honour them, and all of them pale in comparison to Him;
b) The seas, and in particular the primeval sea monster, Rahab. In fact, we are told that God crushed that sea monster before the beginning of time. Interestingly, that same term, that same sea monster, is used figuratively both to signify pride and insolence, and to speak of the nation of Egypt;
c) The entire world and its people in all its vast expanse, from the north (Zaphon) to the south (Yamin) and everything in between;
d) But, perhaps best of all, and most important of all, God’s loving kindness and saving power and His faithfulness to the family of David and to all His people. It can truly be said that no one can compare with God in this regard. No one is even close.
And so, God is limitless and incomparably worthy of our praise, our worship and our obedience. It is therefore important that we remember this—and, put it into practice. Amen.
Forward notes: “The heavens bear witness to your wonders, O Lord” (verse 5a).
“I grew up on a cove on Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest. Today, I live very close to Long Island Sound. It’s special for me to be near the water. In ten minutes, I can be on a beach or walking next to the Sound. I love to walk in the morning at sunrise or in the evening in the hour before sunset as the sun fades from the heavens. As part of my routine, I walk out onto the pier and look around for miles. I can see the beauty of the sunset or the sunrise. Often that beauty is especially present in the clouds.
“During the time of the pandemic, I realized that I love to be outdoors and that flowers, birds, and clouds inspire awe in my soul. As I have gotten older and a little wiser, I have come to cherish the sunrise and the sunset. When I stand on the pier and look up at the heavens filled with the colors of the sunrise, I often feel called to pray. The expression of grandeur in the sweep of the clouds truly bears witness to the wonders our Lord has created.”
Moving Forward: “Where do you see the wonders of the Lord? Share them with us at #ForwardDaybyDay.”