Pastor Stephen Dedman

As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭11‬:‭5‬

We often encounter situations that defy our understanding, reminding us of the limitations of our knowledge and wisdom. In Ecclesiastes 11:5, King Solomon uses two powerful metaphors – the wind and the growth of a child in the womb – to illustrate the incomprehensible ways of God.

Just as we cannot control the direction of the wind or understand the intricate process of human development, so too are we unable to fully grasp the ways of God. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are beyond our understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). Yet, in our limited understanding, we are called to trust in His sovereignty and His goodness.

Trusting God’s sovereignty in the unknown requires a recognition of our finite understanding and an acknowledgment of God’s infinite wisdom. It means surrendering our need for control and placing our confidence in His providence, even when we cannot see the bigger picture or understand His purposes.

Let us be reminded of the incomprehensible majesty of our God. Let us humbly acknowledge our limitations and trust in His sovereignty in every aspect of our lives. And let us do so with unwavering faith, knowing that He who made the wind and formed us in the womb is with us always, guiding us with His loving hand.

Pray

Lord, thank You for Your incomprehensible wisdom and Your unfailing love. Help me to trust in Your sovereignty, even when I cannot understand Your ways. Give me humility to acknowledge my limitations and faith to believe in Your goodness and Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
II Corinthians 5:10

It’s easy to focus on the grace and mercy of God. Yet, within the boundaries of grace lies a profound truth – our lives are not without accountability. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, reminds us of this reality.

The imagery of standing before the judgment seat of Christ evokes a sense of seriousness. It’s a moment when all veils are lifted, and every deed, every thought, every word is laid bare before the Judge. Nothing is hidden, nothing is overlooked. It’s a reckoning with the sum total of our lives.

But don’t let this reality fill your heart with fear, but rather with a sense of purpose and urgency. For this judgment is rooted in divine justice covered with divine love. It’s a judgment that Jesus will look at His followers and grace them. 

Let us be mindful of this truth – our choices matter. Every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, every gesture of love, they all find their place in the grand narrative of God’s kingdom. And likewise, every moment of indifference, every word of malice, every act of selfishness, they too leave their mark.

But here’s the beauty of it all – our accountability is not a burden to bear alone. For in Christ, we find both forgiveness for our failings and empowerment for righteous living. His grace doesn’t negate our responsibility; rather, it enables us to fulfill it. It’s a grace that transforms, renewing our minds, purifying our hearts, and guiding our steps.

Let’s live each day with a profound awareness of our accountability. Let us strive to be good stewards of the time, talents, and resources entrusted to us. And let us do all things, not out of a fear of judgment, but out of a deep reverence for the One who loved us first.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the gift of accountability. Help me to live in a manner worthy of the calling I have received. May I always be mindful of the day when I shall stand before Your judgment seat. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬

In the opening verses of the Bible, we are transported back to the moment when God spoke creation into existence. Genesis 1:2 provides a glimpse of the earth before God began His work of shaping and filling it with life. The imagery of darkness and chaos paints a picture of formlessness and emptiness, a canvas waiting to be blessed with God’s wondrous touch.

Yet, in the midst of this formless void, we encounter the Spirit of God hovering over the face of the waters. Here, in the very beginning, we witness the presence of the Holy Spirit as the active agent of God’s creative power. The Spirit hovers and moves over the waters, ready to bring order and beauty out of the darkness.

This passage not only speaks to the creative power of the Holy Spirit but also to His presence and activity in the world today. Just as the Spirit moved over the waters at creation, He continues to move and work in our lives, bringing transformation, renewal, and new life.

May we be reminded of the Spirit’s ongoing work in our lives. In moments of chaos and uncertainty, may we take comfort in knowing that the Spirit of God is present, ready to bring order out of chaos, light out of darkness, and beauty out of emptiness.

Invite the Holy Spirit to move in your heart and life, empowering you to live a life that reflects the creative power and glory of Creator God.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the presence and power of Your Holy Spirit in my life. May Your Spirit move and work in me, bringing order out of chaos and beauty out of darkness. Fill me afresh with Your Spirit, that I may walk in step with Your will and purpose for my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.