Diamonds.
It is interesting to look at them and slowly shift their position. They are multi-faceted, reflectors of light that constantly reveal a new pattern, a new characteristic. The cut of the diamond is what makes a diamond sparkle and shine. A quality cut enables a diamond to receive light, bouncing it back against the walls of its facets so that you are amazed at the rainbow of color and sparkle.
Scripture does this as well.
Scripture can reveal a new characteristic about God causing us to know Him a little bit more. Scripture brings revelation which brings amazement of Who He is, and we stand in awe of Him. Scripture shows us a new facet that increases our love for Him.
A short, nine verse psalm pulled the curtain back and taught me something about my God the other morning which I so appreciate. I will let Scripture speak for itself:
“Praise the Lord!
Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord.
Praise the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name of the Lord
now and forever.
Everywhere””from east to west””
praise the name of the Lord.
For the Lord is high above the nations;
his glory is higher than the heavens.
Who can be compared with the Lord our God,
 who is enthroned on high?
He stoops to look down
on heaven and on earth.
He lifts the poor from the dust
and the needy from the garbage dump.
He sets them among princes,
even the princes of his own people!
He gives the childless woman a family,
making her a happy mother.
Praise the Lord!”
(Psalm 113, NLT)
Our God is great, worthy of our praise both now and forevermore. He is exalted about the heavens and sits enthroned on high.
Yet He stoops down to us!   Â
How amazing is that? He sees us and draws near to us in our distress. Can you see the picture Scripture is depicting for us? Like a loving parent squats to speak face to face with a child, to hear a child, to comfort a child, this is what our God is doing for us ”“ He is stooping down to us.
“Stooping” according to dictionary.com means:
- to bend the head and shoulders, or the body generally, forward and downward from an erect position
- to descend from one’s level of dignity
In other words, God is reaching down towards us to help us in our situations. And who does He stoop towards?
- the poor, to raise them from the dust. What is making you “poor” today? Where is your deficit? Sure we may have a financial need but we can also be spiritually bankrupt, emotionally emptied.
- the needy, to raise them from the ash heap. What has left you feeling rejected? Sent to the rubbish heap? Devoid of hope?
He stoops so that He can raise us up. In raising us, He seats us with those of position, of honor among Him. He settles the barren ”“ those who feel without significance and without joy or hopeless ”“ and causes them to bring forth fruit.
So today, the very fact that our God is stooping towards us should cause us to praise Him.
“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.” (v. 3)
Aging brings changes, and we all come to find this out sooner or later. In her post, “When It’s Hard to Make a Helpful Change“, Lois Flowers shares her experience with change. “It often takes a bit of humility to admit you need help.” Her wisdom will help us all to grow older gracefully.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Elina Buzurtanova on Unsplash
Today I am joining …
I’ll often get caught up in my day and never just thank God for “stooping” to me, and being there for every need. Thank you for this!
Me too, Lynn. I was reminding myself! 🙂
Interesting you mention diamonds today; I just started Richard Rohr’s book, Immortal Diamond. 🙂 It’s been out awhile, but somehow I missed it years ago. I’m so grateful the Lord stoops to get eye-to-eye to really see us children!
I haven’t ever read the book either. Now you have me curious and I will need to check it out.
I am so thankful that, high and holy as He is, He stoops down to us in our need and lifts us up.
I am too, Barbara! So very grateful!
Thank you for this wonderful encouragement today, Joanne from Psalm 113. I am so guilty of rushing headlong into my day, that I forget God’s gentle ways with me, and the impact of His bending down into my world to simply be with me!
It is so easy to overlook how He stoops down to just to be with us every day. Let’s keep reminding each other 🙂
How precious is that picture of our Lord stooping to raise us from our low place of neediness and sorrow.
Every time I read this psalm, I am blessed by this image of our Lord stooping to lift us up.
Inconvenience! God takes on all the initiative to facilitate relationship with us!
Joanne, I’m reading through Job and just started God’s response to Job and His friends this morning. It’s so amazing to think that the One who laid the foundation of the earth and orchestrates the weather actually stoops down to pay attention to little old us! (Seeing my post here was a fun surprise … thanks for sharing it.)
Lois, may it always amaze us!
I’m so glad that he stooped down to pick me up…wonderful and comforting post!
Me too!
I love this Joanne! Just this past Sunday, my class examined the story of the Woman taken in Adultery. We noticed that Jesus put Himself in a low posture (or stooped) to write in the dust during her accusers speech. It was pointed out that He did what He could to alleviate the situation – even physically putting Himself in a humble posture.
I love what you have shared, Jerralea. Our Lord, stooping to alleviate our pain, even as He humbly enters our situations. Beautiful!
Sweet thoughts, Joanne. It is good to pause and really consider the words we are reading in scripture about God.
We truly do, Amy, as there are many nuggets to uncover.
I can almost imagine Him pulling me into His arms just as I used to stoop down for my own children when they were small. What comfort in this verse!
Blessings,
Tammy
May we hold onto this image, Tammy!
Thank you Joanne, I needed this today 😊
Bless you,
Jennifer
May He bless you, Jennifer!
High praise to our Father who stoops to meet us right where we are.
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