Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK

“The ‘Sensory’ of God’s Wisdom!”
“Long before God stretched out Earth's Horizons, and tended to the minute details of Soil and Weather, and set Sky firmly in place, I was there.” – Proverbs 8:27-28 (MSG)

The wisdom of God was established long before man took his first breath. That point was made yesterday and the day before and the message before that. God’s wisdom has been questioned for centuries and, I might add simply ignored. And yet, each day we are all witnesses to God’s wisdom and power simply by looking at our surroundings. And it also goes beyond that! I have loved the past several verses for how they have me picturing the beauty of this earth. How God has truly blessed us with a great place to live…no matter where you live. One of the more beautiful hymns written, “Fairest Lord Jesus,” really captures this imagery. And yet, there is something even more wonderful and beautiful than all the images portrayed in these verses or this hymn. More than 1900 years ago there was a Man born contrary to the laws of life. This Man lived in poverty and was reared in obscurity. He did not travel extensively. He possessed neither wealth nor influence. His relatives were inconspicuous, and had neither training nor formal education. In infancy, He startled a king; in childhood he puzzled doctors; in manhood he ruled the course of nature. He healed the multitudes without medicine and made no charge for His service. He never wrote a book and yet all the libraries of the country could not hold the books that have been written about Him. He never wrote a song and yet He has furnished the theme for more songs than all the songwriters combined. He never marshaled an army and yet no leader ever had more volunteers. The names of the past proud statesmen, scientists, philosophers and theologians have come and gone; but the name of this Man abounds more and more. He stands on the highest pinnacle as the living Christ, both Lord and Savior. This living Christ, according to the writer of the book of Hebrews is superior: Superior to the Old Testament priests; superior to Moses; superior to the old sacrifices and yes, even Superior to angels (see stanza 3 of the hymn and Hebrews 1:4) Those of us who live where we have four seasons, understand and delight in the end of winter when we can again enjoy the "blooming garb of Spring." We can revel in the sights, sound and smells of "the meadows, the woodlands…and the twinkling starry host." But, one can easily delight in the creation and forget the Creator as in the familiar quotation: "One is nearer the heart of God in a garden than anywhere else on earth." In reality, though, one is closer to the heart of God when one is in the company of a "Christlike" person. And one is closest of all when joined to this "Beautiful Savior". Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature, O Thou of God and man the Son, Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown. Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands, Robed in the blooming garb of spring; Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, Who makes the woeful heart to sing. Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight, And all the twinkling starry host; Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, Than all the angels heaven can boast. Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations! Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honor, praise, adoration, Now and forever more be Thine.
Pastor J. T. Carnell