The pioneer spirit of overcoming every obstacle with grit and determination is alive and well in the US. Society seeks to squeeze you into its mold of performance and conformity. People judge whether you succeed at work or even in relationships. God’s choice of you is not based on accomplishment or meeting someone’s expectations. He considers you an original, a masterpiece. How can you move from conformity to real living?
Not only does He forgive your sin and give undivided attention to your prayers, He wants to be close and intimate with you (Ps. 65:1-4). You are unique! You don’t have to be like someone else!
Not only does God listen to your prayers, but He answers them with awesome deeds of righteousness. His power formed mountains, stilled the roaring seas and calmed warring people. Your response should be awe, fear and trembling, which naturally leads to being a devoted follower of God (Ps. 65:5-8).
God cares and looks after the earth. He supplies food and water in abundance to sustain life. Not only practical necessities, but God provides those esthetic and beautiful moments to make life worth living. It’s not about meeting certain standards, but developing a close and intimate relationship with God and others (Ps. 65:9-13).
How can life be joyful and not a grind? First, it involves understanding God’s name. Sing the glory of His name. It’s weighty, honored and magnificent. There aren’t enough adjectives to describe God’s glory. According to scientists, most of the known universe is made up of “dark energy or matter.” Scientific instruments can’t detect it, but they know it has mass because they see the effects of it. Jesus holds everything in place such as the stars, planets and galaxies, even the atom, by the word of His power (Col. 1:17). This unknown substance is the brightness of God’s glory (Ps. 66:1-4).
Miracles like turning the Red Sea into dry land when Moses led Israel out of bondage in Egypt demonstrate His awesome works (Ex. 14:21). God rules and watches over the nations (Ps. 66:5-7).
God literally “puts our soul in life” so you don’t stumble. He refines you through suffering to remove the impurities of performance and conformity. God enables you to embrace His glory in order to experience your unique life. Humankind seeks conformity to society’s rules. They “ride over our heads” and make you go “through fire and through water.” But God brings you to a place of abundance. Your part is presenting a burnt offering typifying Jesus offering of Himself in death. In the same way, Christians offer themselves to God as a living and holy sacrifice (Ps. 66:8-15; Rom. 12:1-2).
The following are the signs that you have offered yourself to God:
1. You proclaim what God has done for your soul.
2. You cry out to God in prayer.
3. You turn away from sin.
4. You experience answered prayer.
5. You experience His love (Ps. 66:16-20).
Compare your present experience with the five signs of offering yourself to God. Ask Him to develop the weak ones in your life.
