Garbage In, Garbage Out (GIGO)

Today is garbage day and, as expected, our faithful garbage collectors took all our trash to the dump and recycling centers! While I'd never think of God as a garbage collector, in a way He graciously performs that function in our spiritual lives.

"As far as the east is from the west, 

so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

~ Psalm 103:17

"When we confess our sins, he is faithful and just 
to forgive us our sins 

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

~ I John 1:9

God removes our transgressions far from us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Furthermore, unlike the garbage company, God does not charge for his services. He paid the bill when Jesus willingly died on the cross. As the song says, "Like a rose trampled on the ground, You took the fall and thought of me above all" (Above All by Lenny LeBlanc and Paul Baloche © 1995 Integrity Music).

So what do we bring to the table? Nothing but refuse.

"All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags"

~ Isaiah 64:6

But our Savior and Lord took the fall for us and paid the price for our redemption! Let our attitude be one of gratitude this and ever day.

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 77:14-15

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 77:14-15 “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.  With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.  Selah.”

Meditation

Now we’re talking!  Now we’re remembering who you are, what you did for your people in former days, and what you are capable of doing for us.

You made the world and everything in it.  You spoke and there was light.  You made man, loved us, forgave us, died for us.  You healed the sick and raised the dead.  You turned water into wine, calmed the seas, moved mountains. You opened peoples’ eyes and their hearts. You redeemed your people. You redeemed me! 

 You are a miracle worker!

A miracle for me would be the redemption of my people, my loved ones.  Another miracle would be a display of your power among the peoples, so all the world would know that YOU ARE GOD!

Please, Father.  Remember me with a miracle.  I’m your daughter, the one in whom you delight, the one who calls collect and you always accept the charges, your princess.

“All in due time, my miracle child.”

SELAH

Look up: I Corinthians 15:8; Galatians 4:3-6; Philippians 2:10-11

A String of Selah Pearls - Psalm 49:14-15

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 49:14-15 “Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem my soul from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah.”

Meditation:

This pearl repeats the futility of focusing on temporal things. Those “mansions” are all-too-soon enjoyed by other princes, the former residents rotting in the grave, like beasts of the field.

Aunt Virginia lived a modest life, but died a peaceful death. Having placed her faith in a trustworthy God, she had complete confidence in her eternal living arrangements. Yes, she suffered. Yes, we wept. But we endured our night of weeping knowing that joy was just around the bend.

A new day dawns for those who die in Christ. The King will say to them, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.”

What a day of rejoicing that will be . . . for some people. I can almost see Auntie, passing through the gates, eyes wide with amazement. “Oh, my! Oh, my!”

SELAH

Look up: Psalm 110; 30:5; 130:5-6; 2 Corinthians 5:8;

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Luke 19:12-26; Matthew 25:31-34