Wonder and Awe

“The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” Ps. 34:10

Though the words were old-fashioned and beckoned the reader back to a time of more formality and simplicity, the message from the man to his wife penned in the 1600s had a clear focus that transcends time. It wasn’t full of praise for the woman nor tender words describing the love they had shared for almost fifty years; although the composition hinted that those feelings and memories were most certainly there.  No, it was a pen-point, arrow-straight laser-beam directive to focus on God, the great Provider.

The writer, Obadiah Holmes[i], desiring to aid his beloved Katherine, even after his death, reminded his bride of God’s goodness in allowing them almost 50 years together. He sought to bring to her attention that whether their circumstances were easy and prosperous or heart-breaking and arduous, it was God who had made goodness come from them.  It was God who had given them contentment and love for each other. Obadiah reminded her that all of those blessings and provisions were reasons to continue to seek God and praise him whether they be together on this earth or separated by death.

Obadiah challenged Katherine to consider or remember, many times to their wonder, how God had blessed them with provisions, financial and physical and even given them remarkable health and comfort.  It was his dying gift to his wife to give her comfort and encouragement when he was gone to be with the Lord.

“He has increased our store, sometimes to our wonder, …” (Holmes 1915, pp. 40-50.)

This challenge hit home. I began to contemplate all the blessings God had given me in the fifty-one years of my life, many of them so amazing, that I still stand in awe as to what God did. I am most amazed as to why He did them: just because He is perfectly good and loves me perfectly.

It’s a delightful exercise that elicits praise for our Savior and joy in our hearts! So you do it.  Start a list of the blessings in your life that cause your jaw to drop and your heart to sing. What better way to continue to celebrate the gift of the Son of God.

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·         [i] Holmes, James T. (1915). The American Family of Rev. Obadiah Holmes. Columbus, Ohio: private.