Positioned gracefully across the Book of Psalms is a string of seventy-one pearls, lovely beads of wisdom followed by the admonition SELAH which means, “Pause, think on these things, meditate.”
Psalm 66:7 “He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations—let not the rebellious rise up against him. Selah.”
Meditation
An American president exerts great power—for four years, possibly eight.
Senators for six years.
Representatives, two.
Most of us have at least some authority within our spheres of influence during our brief lifetimes.
But God reigns forever, “re-elected” by his own power. And he warns all of us, great and small alike, not to rebel against his authority, not to exalt ourselves.
Yet, how easy it is for us to find reasons to pat ourselves on the back. Perhaps a simple compliment, such as:
“You did that job well” or
“You always look so nice” or
“I wish I could cook as well as you” or
“Where did you learn to play piano like that?”
can turn our heads and cause us to exalt ourselves and our abilities above the Creator who gave them to us.
This pearl advises us to guard against self-idolatry. God loves us too much to let us share his glory. We would get lost in it.
SELAH
Look up: Psalm 44:8; Jeremiah 9:23-24; I Corinthians 10:31; Romans 1:21-25; James 4:7-10
So true, Julie! We can't hold the adulation. Because the Lord is completely self-less, there is no temptation to corruption in him.
ReplyDeleteAnd to think He's giving us the privilege to dwell in His courts forever. We shall see Him as He is . . . . Incredible!
ReplyDelete