Beyond Our Comprehension

Beyond Our Comprehension

Psalm 113

Praise the Lord. Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.

Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.

The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.

Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high,

who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;

He seats them with princes, with the princes of their people.

He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children.

Praise the Lord.

I have been in Indianapolis to represent our Northwestern Ohio District for the International Church of the Nazarene’s Quadrennial General Assembly. I have been hearing reports about how the Lord is moving through our church in over 159 world areas. The church now has 20,041 organized Churches and 8,089 ready to be organized. The membership continues to grow and is now 2,150,883. The Church of the Nazarene is alive and well.

Hearing the stories of people’s salvation and growth in sanctification have been the highlight of our time together. Yes, we are in the process of voting in 2 more general superintendents, voting and discussing Biblical stances that will never falter concerning human sexuality, marriage between a man and woman, and the inerrancy of God’s Word, but the stories of new life continue to ring loud and clear.

While in Indianapolis, I have been trying to set up a meeting with someone to discuss a future mission trip. It has been like pulling teeth. Responsibility can have different effects on people. Some handle it better than others. This particular person has become less and less available seen in the missed phone calls and emails. I finally was able to sit down with him and I forgot all the questions I wanted to ask him. I felt like I was in the Doctor’s office. You’ve been there before. You get frustrated because it took you a long time to get in and then you go blank. I even wrote down my questions but I forgot my paper.

I am so glad God is not affected in this way. He is God and is more majestic and powerful than we can comprehend. His responsibility exceeds that of anyone. Yet He still desires to help us – to lift us “up from the ash heap.”

This beautiful Psalm reminds us that God is beyond our comprehension. God is “high and above all nations.” Both earthly and heavenly powers are subject to Him. God’s nature and character are such that God is not only concerned with the powerful and mighty, He is concerned about the helpless and the needy. “He raises the helpless from the dust; He lifts the needy from the ash heap to seat them with princes, with the princes of His people” (Psalm 113:7-8).

I am proud to announce that the Church of the Nazarene is about meeting the needs of the poor, the helpless, and the needy. We serve a big God who is blessing our Church. Let us do all we can do to allow the Holy Spirit to use us as we further His Kingdom.

I am excited to come back to Ohio and get back to a normal routine and worship with our local church. Just a few more days and the meetings will be done for four more years. Hallelujah!

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike