This is My Father’s World

Our Father’s World

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The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell within. Psalm 24:1 KJV

When I was a young Christian we used to sing these words, and I have discovered over the years that most of the trouble I have gotten into in life has been because I forgot them. This is not my world; it belongs to God. Neither I nor any other person gets to make the rules: God does! The whole of creation belongs to Him because He is the manufacturer and as the maker of this world He has put in our hands HIs owner’s manual (The Bible).  Finding out what God’s opinion on a decision rather than so called “expert” advice can save us from a whole world of hurt in our families our finances and our health (Not to mention our eternal destiny). But the good news is that in spite of our failures and sins God still cares about us. Our hope is in a second truth from today’s verse. Not only does the world belong to Him but also the people in it (Yup that’s you and me!). Just like everything else in the universe we were made by God, but with two gigantic differences. First, we were made in God’s image and second, He sent Jesus to the cross for us. Jesus didn’t die for fish or birds, lions, or monkeys. He died for messed up, mixed up and confused human beings like us. Now that is fantastic news indeed! We can have hope because no matter how low we feel we have fallen or how far away from God’s plan we have wandered, Jesus has bent lower and traveled farther to rescue us, remind us that we are His and to bring us home in His arms!

Jesus Our Shepherd

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Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 ESV

We are nearing the six-month mark of a life that is completely different from anything we have known before. No plan, no relationship and no expectation has gone untouched. Churches have services online; large companies battle just to stay afloat, and the doors have been closed to family and visitors of long-term care facilities. But through everything you may have been through this year Jesus remains the Good Shepherd for anyone who comes to Him.

What exactly is a good shepherd? An ordinary shepherd is just the one who owns sheep, but a good shepherd is someone who cares about them. An ordinary shepherd drives his sheep where he wants them to go; but a good shepherd goes ahead of them to make sure the way is safe. Jesus told us that He is the good shepherd and that to make the way safe for us He gave His life. If we follow Him; He promises to walk ahead of us through everything that lies ahead. Why would we put our trust in anyone else? Only Jesus has given His life. Why not make Him our Good Shepherd today?

My Father’s World

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Then pray like this: Our Father in Heaven Hallowed Be Your name Your kingdom come Your will be done On earth as it is in Heaven  Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.                               Matthew 6:9-13 ESV

 

The hymn, “This is My Father’s World” was written as a poem by Maltbie Babcock and wasn’t set to music until 15 years after his death. If we were to step back we would also see it as a reflection of the Lord’s Prayer. Throughout our current Corona virus crisis this reminds me that in the middle of uncertainty; God never changes. “This is my Father’s world and to my listening ear.”  The first unchangeable truth this song gives us is that, no matter what happens in this world our Father in Heaven is listening but during our time of enforced idleness we might ask, “Are we listening for His voice?”

Secondly; even though God is in charge He gives us a part to play. We are to pray; “Your kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Just as the birds raise their carols in the second verse, our opportunity in this crisis is to praise God as our creator and worship Him in a way that brings heaven’s rule to our own little patch of ground.

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Then we must trust Him even when our world seems dark. “And when the wrong seems oft so strong.”  When we are unable to provide for ourselves as we are accustomed we learn to ask Him to give our daily bread. When we lose patience or fail under pressure; He promises that if only we ask that He will forgive us as we are forgiving of those around us.

“This is my Father’s world, the battle is not done.” Last of all when temptation calls we must depend on God’s help to lead us away and when we are surrounded by our enemies; He promises to deliver us by His cross! “Jesus who died will be satisfied; and earth and heaven be one.”