'Two Things I Have Learned'

 


Two Things I Have Learned

 

‘One thing God has spoken,

    two things I have heard:

“That You O God are strong,

and that You, O Lord, are loving.”’

 

When does God speak?

The writer to the Hebrew Christians knew when he wrote,

 

‘On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.’

Hebrews Chapter One.

 

God has spoken many times.

 

He once asked Adam and Eve, ‘Where are you?’, even though He already knew.

 

He spoke several times to Abraham, reminding him that the people of faith to follow, would be more numerous than the stars he saw in the night sky.

 

He spoke at least three times, calling the young Samuel in the night, and gave him a hard message to bear to the aged Eli.

 

He has spoken to those who ran the race before us.

 

And He especially has spoken to us through His Son, the Lord Jesus.

 

St Paul wrote to young Timothy, reminding him that God’s word was ‘useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.’ I Timothy 3:16

 

As Christians, our parents and teachers in the faith, help us learn to love and cherish God’s word. We learn the message, and we also learn in faith to pay attention to the times God, by His Holy Spirit, impresses it upon our hearts and lives. Jesus told His followers, that as with sheep and their Shepherd, we learn to know His voice.   

 

I write because this week God has been reminding me of His words.

 

As I went to be part of Church on Sunday, I was reminded of two very important things:

 

Someone reminded me of my brothers and sisters in Peru.

Four years ago a small team of young adults and leaders travelled to meet with and minister alongside a little church in Lima.

They have a big impact for their small numbers.

They run a school, visit prisoners, feed the poor, provide support to access health care, and preach Christ crucified.

And because of the kind remembering, this week I am remembering to pray for them.

 

And, someone else very graciously reminded me that God is Strong and that He is Loving. 

 

As I closed the front door on Sunday, to travel to Church, I was aware of those things; our brothers and sisters in other places, and God’s Strength and Love.

 

I included those words from Psalm 62, alongside the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, and later prayed for the little church in Peru.

 

God is Strong and Loving.

 

I shouldn’t be surprised, but later in the week as I settled into the Morning Prayers on Wednesday, there in the open Bible on the prayer desk, were the closing words of Psalm 62:


‘One thing God has spoken,

two things I have heard:

“That You O God are strong,

and that You, O Lord, are loving.”’

 

As a read them, I knew the imprint of God’s grace, reminding me again of a very great truth and relationship, in which God wants me to grow.

 

In this week, and every other, I obviously need to know that the Living God is Strong and that He is Loving. I do know it, but in this week I am feeling it impressed upon my heart and mind.

My heavenly Father is Strong, and He is Loving.

I am upheld by God, and I am Loved by God.

 

The Psalm was the prayer of one person, to be a blessing to many people.

It speaks of a very great truth about God, which shows the way He cares for us as we look to Him. Our soul rests in Him, we find salvation in Him. He is our Rock, and our fortress. In Him we find rest and hope and refuge.

                                          God is strong and He is Loving.  Amen.


Psalm 62

Truly my soul finds rest in God;

    my salvation comes from him.

2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;

    he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

 

3 How long will you assault me?

    Would all of you throw me down—

    this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

4 Surely they intend to topple me

    from my lofty place;

    they take delight in lies.

With their mouths they bless,

    but in their hearts they curse.[b]

 

5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;

    my hope comes from him.

6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;

    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7 My salvation and my honor depend on God[c];

    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8 Trust in him at all times, you people;

    pour out your hearts to him,

    for God is our refuge.

 

9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath,

    the highborn are but a lie.

If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;

    together they are only a breath.

10 Do not trust in extortion

    or put vain hope in stolen goods;

though your riches increase,

    do not set your heart on them.

 

11 One thing God has spoken,

    two things I have heard:

“Power belongs to you, God,

12     and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;

and, “You reward everyone

    according to what they have done.”

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