Going Through the Motions?

Our God - my God - is indeed an awesome God!  I don't brag on Him nearly as much as He deserves.  He is powerful and personal, outrageously generous and gracious.  God hears prayers and answers in real time.

Last night was a perfect example:  I had turned on the water for a shower and prayed God would send rain, as Sydney has been dry lately.  I kid you not:  when I stepped out of the shower less than five minutes later rain had come!  Hearing the water dripping from the eaves and passing through the gutters brought a beaming smile to my face.  It is so easy to forget God is not delayed because He seems far away at times, but He is so near to each one of us.  Those who call upon Him can expect Him to answer in His time and way.

Our feeble frame is forgetful of God's presence.  We can go through the motions of prayer or reading and study of scripture and miss God.  I recently came across an example of this.  1 Samuel 28:5-6 says of King Saul, "When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. ⁶ And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets."  Because God did not answer according to Saul's demand, he sought out counsel from a medium.  These verses only tell part of the story.  Saul went through the motions of inquiring of the LORD, and another scripture confirms his heart wasn't in it.  And we also cannot ignore the fact he had commanded the slaughter of the high priest who therefore could not aid him in the process.  1 Chronicles 10:13-14 says, "So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. ¹⁴ But he did not inquire of the LORD; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse."

On the surface this appears to be a contradiction.  1 Samuel 28:6 says Saul inquired of the LORD, but 1 Chronicles 10:14 says he did not inquire of the LORD!  These verses can be easily reconciled by our own lives and experience.  Have you ever gone through the activity of prayer but you were distracted?  Have you ever read the Bible and after closing it would have struggled to repeat what you just read?  At times we have all done as Saul:  we have prayed without thought, when we were obstinate in sin, and planned to pursue our own will regardless of God's Word.  If we will pray, let us seek and inquire of the LORD, waiting upon Him.  The equivalent of the Philistines mustering against us is an impetus to prayer, but speaking words with our mouths does not mean we are joined with the Spirit of the holy God.

Praise the LORD He is gracious, compassionate, and answers the prayers of His humble servants!  Let's examine ourselves to see if we are going through the motions of prayer or confirm our inquiries are genuine.  If we aren't hearing much from God, it may be we aren't praying.

The Need for Exhortation

"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; ¹³ but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."

Hebrews 3:12-13

Lately I've been thinking about the believer's need for exhortation.  We are called to humbly receive exhortation and also exhort others as led by the Holy Spirit.  Based on the Hebrew passage which exhorts us to exhort one another daily, the Christian's need for frequent exhortation is fundamental as the unbeliever's need for the Gospel.  Without receiving the Gospel no man can be saved, and without exhortation our hearts tend towards hardness.  To exhort is to call near, invite, and entreat, whether it be to call out sin or to urge to do right. 

There is a difference between knowing what is right and doing what is right.  Humility before God and men puts us in a posture to receive exhortation from God's Word and other people.  Since God can speak through a donkey if He wills, it should not be a surprise He can even use unbelievers as His instruments to correct and instruct us as it suits Him.  There are many people who believe in God who do not follow Jesus, and there are many disciples of Jesus who lose their way because their hearts have been hardened by sin's deceitfulness.  This is one reason why genuine fellowship with other believers is a critical part in our spiritual health, growth, and fruitfulness.

As we go through our days, it is easy for us in difficult times to lose perspective.  The life of Jacob provides such an example after he sent his sons to Egypt to buy food.  After hearing a report of the rough treatment of his sons, how Simeon was required to remain in Egypt and Benjamin was required to go on the next trip, old Israel felt like all was against him.  Genesis 42:36 records his response to his sons under the weight of the trial:  "You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me."  Israel was wrong about Joseph and Simeon.  Joseph was alive and second in command in all Egypt, Simeon was kept safe, and Benjamin would be granted royal treatment upon arrival in Egypt.  Israel felt everything was against him when the Almighty God was for him.  Ultimately Israel caved out of necessity for food and allowed his sons to take Benjamin to Egypt, and sometimes it takes exhortation from others to prompt us to do what is right and needed.  After Israel obeyed revelation and blessing came.

How good it is to hear from God, and praise Him for using others to minister to our need - sometimes it is a word in season we didn't even know we needed.  As we follow Jesus in faith, let us plow up the fallow ground of our hearts so we might receive the good seed of God's word and the exhortations of others who urge us to cease from sin and honour God.

Light, Gladness, Joy, and Honour

Wicked Haman sought to do the Jews harm and deceitfully wrote a law which commanded their destruction.  Messengers were sent out to 127 provinces that the Jews - all men, women, and children - were to be killed and their goods plundered on the 13th day of the 12th month.  The people were perplexed to hear this command, and the Jews grieved and mourned.  God used righteous Mordecai and queen Esther to make known the plot of Haman to king Ahasuerus, and Haman was hanged for his crimes.  But the law remained, for the laws of the Medes and Persians cannot be undone.

Though the old law could not be changed, the king granted Mordecai authority to write a new law.  The description of the new law is conveyed in Esther 8:11:  "...by these letters the king permitted the Jews who were in every city to gather together and protect their lives--to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province that would assault them, both little children and women, and to plunder their possessions..."  The Jews were commanded to ready themselves on the 13th day of the 12th month to be avenged on their enemies.  In response to the new command throughout the land the people rejoiced and were glad.  See what is written in Esther 8:16-17:  "The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honour. ¹⁷ And in every province and city, wherever the king's command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them."

I find this response remarkable!  Though the law remained that the Jews were to be slaughtered and killed on the 13th day of the 12th month, they rejoiced and celebrated the new law which commanded them to gather and defend themselves from their enemies.  Instead of darkness they had light; where once was gloom and sadness they had gladness and joy.  Dishonour had been replaced with honour, and many of the people chose to become Jews in light of their unity, power, and their great God who works such deliverance.  The new law prompted the Jews to gather for feasting and to proclaim a holiday.  Not really the sort of thing you would expect when the enemies were readying themselves to attack, is it?  If we knew the 13th day of the 12th month was coming, we might stockpile weapons and ammunition, devise a plan to defend from attack, and prepare for war.  But the Jews celebrated like they had already won - because they had.  God had overthrown the wicked schemes of their enemy and gave them all the authority and power they needed to defend themselves.

Isn't this a beautiful parallel of how the Christian ought to live in this world?  Because of our sin the Law condemns us to face the wrath of God and eternity in hell.  There is no escape from death which hunts down our bodies and souls.  But God, because of His great mercy towards sinners, sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost.  The Old Covenant of Law remains, yet through the shed blood of Jesus a New Covenant has been established on better promises.  Colossians 2:13-15 reads, "And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, ¹⁴ having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it."  The Law that brought death was put to death by Jesus on the cross for all them who trust in Him, and it is in the power of Christ's resurrection we live.  Through Him we have light, gladness, joy, and honour.  Think of it!  The world dishonours Christ and those who follow Him, but we have honour from God by His grace.

We miss the mark when we respond with violence to those who oppose our Saviour, for He has declared victory through His resurrection.  It is an appalling contradiction when believers look to carnal weapons or law for safety when only God is our Deliverer and Help.  Though enemies of God rally together for the destruction of God's people, we can have light and be glad because our Saviour fights for us.  Jesus has promised to preserve and present us faultless before the Father with exceeding joy.  People throughout 127 provinces chose to become Jews though a law remained which demanded their blood because of the unity and joy of God's people.  May it be people in every nation, tribe, and tongue will chose to renounce a life of sin and follow Jesus because of the love, joy, and peace of God we can have in our Saviour who loves us.  It is fitting to close with Ephesians 3:20-21: "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Don't Feed the Birds!

I spent the first half of this week at the Collaroy Centre which hosted the "Refresh" conference put on by the Calvary Global Network.  It was a lovely spot with the benefits of sound biblical teaching, fellowship, and worship of God.  The lush area was home to many varieties of beautiful and loud birds like sulphur-crested cockatoos and rainbow lorikeets.  In the outdoor seating area signs were placed on the tables which read, "Do Not Feed the Birds."

There are several reasons provided in Australia for people to restrain themselves from feeding wild birds.  One reason is the offer of free food (which may not be the most healthy for them) can reduce their ability to forage for food in the wild.  If they are conditioned to regular feeding their diet will also not be as varied as it should be.  Whilst those are valid reasons, another reason is most likely why the Collaroy Centre prohibits people from feeding birds.  According to the ABC, "Animals that expect to be fed by people can become aggressive, harassing people for food when they are hungry."  Nobody trying to relax on the veranda wants to be swooped by aggressive, squawking birds, and birds have been known to rip into wood and do serious damage to property.

Thinking about feeding wild birds reminded me about what is written in Galatians 6:7-8: "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ⁸ For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life."  The lustful desires of the flesh could be likened to wild birds that when fed become increasingly aggressive and do great damage.  Sulphur-crested cockatoos are notoriously persistent after they have targeted wood on your home.  Passive deterrents are often not enough!  Many people have been forced to guard their homes from the birds by netting and spraying the pesky parrots with the hose until they understand the house is not worth the trouble.  Feeding wild birds invites mischief, and choosing to feed the flesh creates far greater problems than money or hard labour alone can repair.  It creates sinful struggles you carry everywhere, and only Jesus can provide deliverance.

Sowing seeds will produce a crop according to the variety of seed sown, and when we sow to the flesh we will certainly reap corruption.  It is sowing to the Spirit - having the good Word of God implanted in our hearts and walking in obedience - which results in blessing and eternal life.  We do not earn salvation by our good works, but as born-again citizens of heaven we are divinely enabled to walk uprightly.  One cannot help the fact wild parrots roost nearby, but we should think twice before feeding them.  We all have fleshly desires, but they are to be governed in submission to God.  When it comes to seeking to placate the flesh in ways which do not edify or leads to sin, we must take intentional action to stop doing wrong, repent, and choose to do what is godly.  Passive deterrents may not be enough when the flesh has been stirred even by mistake.  Praise the LORD He has given us the wisdom from His Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to make godly decisions.

When we are vigilant to avoid indulging fleshly lusts, we create a safeguard for our lives and prevent trouble.  It is in seeking the LORD and doing what is right that results in enjoying the victory provided us through faith in Jesus.

Consider Jesus!

"Happiness depends on what happens," I have heard some say, and often this is true.  Feelings are useful but are also fickle.  One moment we can be happy and carefree, and the next we can feel the weight of the world upon us.  An example of this phenomenon is seen in Haman after he was invited by the queen to a special banquet with the king.  He had not only enjoyed the hospitality and company of the king and queen, but he had a banquet the following day to look forward to.  It seemed everything was right in the world.

Esther 5:9 reads, "So Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, and that he did not stand or tremble before him, he was filled with indignation against Mordecai."  Haman was in a great mood because the privilege afforded him, but the sight of Mordecai sitting there filled him with anger.  All the happy feelings were gone in an instant because one man was sitting when Haman wanted him to stand in respect.  How amazing is this!  After calling his family and friends Esther 5:11-13 says what happened next: "Then Haman told them of his great riches, the multitude of his children, everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and servants of the king. ¹² Moreover Haman said, "Besides, Queen Esther invited no one but me to come in with the king to the banquet that she prepared; and tomorrow I am again invited by her, along with the king. ¹³ Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."

Haman had all the wealth, fame, power, prestige, and relationships one could hope for, yet he felt all his possessions and honour were nothing because one person refused to do what he wanted.  Haman could not perceive it, but it was not Mordecai who robbed him of any glory or honour:  it was his own pride which defrauded God.  In robbing God of glory by demanding honour for self, Haman experienced deep dissatisfaction.  A mistake Haman made was thinking he would feel better if he was rid of the sight of Mordecai and all the Jewish people (just for good measure).  There is no genuine peace or comfort to be found in this world, but our stubborn unbelief reckons it can be found if other people or our circumstances change.  Pride and vanity always lead to great disappointment, misery, and sorrow circumstances cannot touch.

Praise the LORD we are never at the mercy of men or our feelings when we seek God and rejoice in His mercies which are new every morning.  There is fullness of joy when we deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus looking unto Him.  When we consider all He endured for us sinners we find encouragement to persevere even in the most difficult times.  Hebrews 12:3 states, "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."  The word in the Greek translated "consider" is more than "think about" but to "estimate and contemplate."  It is an accounting term, weighing the evidence and drawing a conclusion based on facts.  When I pass a $20 note to buy a loaf of bread which costs $3, the associate considers the price and money offered and deems it sufficient to finalise the purchase.  In the same way we are to consider the love of Jesus displayed on Calvary for us and press on in faith - not because we feel like it, but because He loves us.  Looking at life through the powerful lens of the resurrection we are enabled to walk in God's power infinitely greater than our own.

The life Jesus lived and the price paid with His shed blood is a payment which covers all sins and overcomes all difficulties for those who trust the LORD.  It may not always feel like we are loved or remembered by God, but look at the price paid in our ledger!  Our adoption papers have been signed with the blood of the pierced Son of God, and His claim on our lives and souls endures forever.  Now as a child of God, how does that make you feel?  Feelings won't be enough to keep you going strong when everything seems against you, but who Jesus is and what He has done and does will.

Confidence in God's Deliverance

I've been enjoying reading through Esther lately, and it is amazing how God brings fresh insights to familiar passages.  Haman was incensed by the Jew Mordecai's refusal to give him reverence, and so great was his pride punishing Mordecai was not enough:  he would exterminate Mordecai and his people as well.  Having the favour of the king, Haman was able to write the doom of the Jews into law.  When Mordecai heard these evil tidings, he put on sackcloth and mourned publicly.  Esther the queen, seeing her cousin in such strife, inquired concerning his welfare and heard the news for herself.

Mordecai urged Esther to use her privileged position as queen to gain access to the king to plead for her people.  At first she resisted, citing a law which endangered the lives of all who approached the king without a summons.  Esther 4:13-14 reads, "And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. ¹⁴ For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"  Mordecai was a man of great faith in the God of Israel who faithfully delivered His people from great trouble when they cried out to Him.  Even when the destruction of the Jews was decreed by command of the King of a world empire, never for a moment did Mordecai doubt God could or would save the Jews.

Mordecai did not plead with Esther as we might, conveying she was their only hope for survival.  He did not don sackcloth to wring his hands in despair, worrying from where deliverance could come:  God would deliver His people without doubt.  The question was, would Esther be willing to be used to that end, even at the risk of her own life?  God would surely raise up relief and deliverance for the Jews from somewhere, and Mordecai did not presume to know where.  Mordecai believed God had elevated Esther to her position as queen not because of her great beauty, but because God intended for her to serve Him to her full extent in her current station.  Mordecai was convinced if Esther refused to act and remained silent, she was resigned to her own destruction.

Brother and sister in Christ, this is true for us!  God is a deliverer and a Saviour, of this we can be certain.  The question is, will we submit to serve God in our current role and relationships to the utmost so God can work His wonders through us?  Do we have the faith of Mordecai, believing God would raise up relief and deliverance for His people from somewhere - even when the source is obscured from our sight?  Do we look upon God with such confidence?  May it be such hearts and eyes of faith in the power and compassion of God are found in all God's people.

Called by Name

"But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. ² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you."

Isaiah 43:1-2

God did a phenomenal thing in birthing the Jewish nation out of slavery in Egypt.  It was a demonstration of love and grace which rivals the salvation God has provided Jew and Gentile through faith in Jesus Christ.  See what God said to the Hebrews in in Deuteronomy 7:7-8:  "The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; ⁸ but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt."  God set His love on His people because He loved them; He chose them because He would keep His word to redeem them.  God did not save His people because of their goodness, but because He is good.

Though Israel would later demand a king like the other nations, forsake His Law, and bow down before idols, God did not disown His people.  Though He chastened them to repentance with famine, drought, war, and captivity, the God who formed and chose Israel would protect and uphold them.  He delivered them to the Syrians and Babylonians for their iniquities, but He would remember them and cause them to enter the land He promised to their fathers once again.  Even in the darkest times He commanded them to fear not because He was their Redeemer.  The rivers would flood but would not overwhelm His people.  Though the fire raged hot they would not be burned from His memory.  He said, "I have called you by your name; you are Mine."

How glorious it is, that the one who formed and knows us would call our name!  In the book of Esther young maidens were prepared for one year before going into the presence of the king of Persia.  Esther 2:14 details what occurred after appearing before the king:  "In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch who kept the concubines. She would not go in to the king again unless the king delighted in her and called for her by name."  One word which stands out in this verse is "custody."  The luxury afforded the concubines of the king provided comfort, but individual freedom was restricted.  A woman who appeared before the king was not free to go wherever she wanted but would remain in seclusion unless the king "delighted in her and called for her by name."  I imagine many tears were shed in this house as many women languished in their youth with silence from the king, pining to be remembered and delighted in.  How the clouds would lift to be called by your king by name!

God delighted in Jacob and gave him a new name.  God blessed Jacob in Genesis 32:28:  "And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."  God claimed Israel as His treasured inheritance, and the New Covenant by the blood of Jesus in no way lessens the impact of the grace and goodness God has shown the Jews.  It is amazing how through Jesus Christ all people can have fellowship with the Creator who delights in us and calls us by name.  We languished in a prison awaiting death for our sin, but at the call of our Saviour Jesus Christ we have come out of darkness and into His marvellous light.  God promised to be with His people, and Christians are reminded of God's word to us in Hebrews 13:5, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  The Almighty God delights in us and calls us by His name, and let us eternally praise and worship Him for this!

God's Precious Vessels

Today I read about when King Ahasuerus hosted a great feast in Shushan.  In the third year of his reign he displayed the power of Media and Persia, inviting nobles and rulers from the 127 provinces he ruled for 180 days.  That would be quite the gathering!  When those days were completed, he hosted a feast for 7 days and all in Shushan were invited to the court of his garden palace.  Esther 1:6-7 describes the elaborate and luxurious decor:  "There were white and blue linen curtains fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars; and the couches were of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of alabaster, turquoise, and white and black marble. ⁷ And they served drinks in golden vessels, each vessel being different from the other, with royal wine in abundance, according to the generosity of the king."

It must have been a treat for the people of Shushan to partake of the generous bounty of their king.  The value in gold of even a single goblet for drinking wine might have been more gold a poor person would ever earn in a lifetime, and for 7 days there were free refills of royal wine!  The drinking vessels are described as being made of gold and each one being unique in design.  These details may seem unnecessary, but the truth of God's Word is significant.  Passages easily glossed over can contain great insight and provide observations and comparisons which enlarge our understanding of God and His grace.

The wealth of King Ahasuerus greatly exceeded that of his people, and the wealth of God is infinitely greater than all kings in this world.  Ahasuerus did well to invite rulers from 127 provinces, but God's subjects are more numerous than the sands of the sea and every star in the universe He knows and calls by name.  The golden vessels of the king of Persia, though numerous, were limited in number and value.  God's wealth cannot be measured, weighed, and is beyond compare.  One similarity between the drinking vessels of Ahasuerus and God's vessels of honour is they are all made distinct and unique.  Our lives are compared to earthen vessels fashioned in the hands of a divine Potter who makes us for His purposes.  Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:7, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."

The value of the vessels of gold could be determined by weight, but our value is determined by the precious blood of Jesus Christ who redeemed us.  This is spelled out in 1 Peter 1:18-19:  "...knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."  The satanic deception is to imagine we are worthy of redemption because of the love God has for us or the price He paid, but not one of us is worthy of God's grace.  We are corruptible, perishing earthen vessels, but God treats us as if we were more valuable than gold because He is good.  King Ahasuerus received glory in the eyes of his people because of his monetary wealth and abundance of gold, yet God is worthy to receive infinitely greater glory because of His love and grace freely offered to all who trust in Him.

Astonished at Teaching

Yesterday in church the text we examined was the first half of Acts 13 which included Paul's interaction with the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus.  Being an intelligent man and likely interested to learn new things, Sergius Paulus summoned Barnabas and Paul to hear the Word of God.  A Jew named Elymas withstood the apostles when they arrived, trying to turn Sergius Paulus from the truth of the Gospel.  Finally Paul rebuked Elymas strongly and declared he would be rendered blind for a season.  After this immediately came to pass Acts 13:12 reads, "Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord."

Reading this struck me as I considered the question:  would I be more astonished by a person struck completely blind or by the "teaching of the LORD?"  Likely seeing someone suddenly blind by words alone would be more astonishing.  What this drives home is how the Bible should astonish us; the claims, actions, and implications of all Jesus did should shock us.  We who have long been familiar with the Bible can become calloused to how utterly astonishing the revelation of God and the teaching of Jesus is.  I am sure Sergius Paulus was quite familiar with the Roman mythological gods, but the fact God would humble Himself to be a man and die for lost sinners was astonishing.  Considering how the all-powerful and perfectly righteous God said and conducted Himself, choosing the path of humility and suffering without threats of vengeance, was unlike anything he had heard or imagined.

How glorious is our God, and let us observe with renewed minds and soft hearts the wonder of God's Word.  Instead of allowing the scriptures to roll off our hearts and minds like water repelled by oil on the feathers of a duck, let us humble ourselves to receive afresh the teaching of the LORD.  Read the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 and compare it with the way we naturally think and live.  If the teachings of Jesus do not astonish us, then perhaps we aren't allowing them to sink into our hearts or be lived out in our lives to the degree God desires.  Following Christ isn't like the worship of Roman gods or goddesses with rites, rituals, sacrifice and incantations, but obedience to the Living God by faith.  God has dealt to each of us a measure of faith, yet God would have us exercise faith so our faith might be strengthened and grow.  The complexity and design of the natural world is astonishing to our minds, but much more so the teaching of the LORD to a receptive heart.