Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 20, 2022: SOAP #4431:  Genesis 49-50; Psalm 8; Luke 20

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 8:1 A psalm of David. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. … 3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon, and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

OBSERVATION: In the heavens we see the glory of God.  We can see His majesty, His vastness, His omnipresence, His justice, His greatness, His artistry, His exactness, His command of using fire and water and matter and space.  His variety in using the elements.  He is amazing!  

BUT where do we see God’s love, His mercy, His grace.  God is just as Loving as He is Holy.  Love is just as important to God as Holiness.  The heavens are full of expressions of God’s holiness.  Where do we see God’s love? 

And that is why God is so mindful of man.  In God’s dealing with man, we see the full expression of God’s love!  God’s love expressed in holy forgiveness.  Being loving did not mean that He would stop being holy.  A perfectly holy sacrifice would need to be made that would cover the offence of man’s sin.  So, God Himself makes the sacrifice!!! 

APPLICATION:  How grateful I am that what God did for man, He did for me!  How could I resist His loving offer of forgiveness?  Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the payment for my sin.  His loving and holy presence is living in me.  He is working to develop His character in me.  As people can see the expressions of God’s greatness and holiness in the heavens, I want people to be able to see expressions of God’s love in me.

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, having experienced your loving forgiveness, I make you the LORD of my life.  May your life in me be seen by those around me. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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