Re-posting, pretty much “as is”, some thoughts from this day in my reading plan 15 years ago. After reading and chewing a bit on these passages this morning, I’m still knocked out!

By His grace. For His glory.

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It was a “one-two” punch that got me this morning. Set up by “the jab” in Mark’s gospel . . . and then the “knock out” blow delivered in the Psalms. You gotta love the word of God! Amen?

The latter part of Mark deals with a couple of miracles. First, a Syro-Phoenician woman’s young daughter is delivered from a demon that had come upon her. Imagine that . . . a little girl tormented by the forces of hell . . . released by the command of Jesus, the true Ruler of all principalities. Then, Mark writes of a deaf man who could hardly talk who is brought to Jesus. And touches the man . . . physically and spiritually . . . “At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly” (Mark 7:35). And here’s the “setup jab” . . . “They were astonished beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done all things well . . . ‘ ” (7:37).

Astonished beyond measure (NKJV) . . . overwhelmed with amazement (NIV) . . . beside themselves with excitement (MSG) . . . blown out of their minds (Hippie-speak, 1960’s) . . . Jesus does all things well! Ya’ think?

But how often do I take time and pause, reflect, and just say, “Wow!!!”

I read this and my spirit joins with His Spirit and whispers into heaven, “Yes Lord, You do all things well. I am overwhelmed with amazement!” So much to distract us . . . so prone to becoming complacent . . . so easy to take Him and His works for granted . . . but then, you read the Word . . . and a phrase like this leaps off the page and into your heart . . . and afresh you see Jesus . . . and in awe and wonder, beyond measure, you say, “Yes!!! He really does all things well!”

And that’s what set me up for my reading in Psalm 89. Just the first 18 verses this morning . . . but in those verses, two words are repeated 4 times, and they delivered the “knock out blow” . . .

“With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations (89:2) . . . Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens (89:2) . . . And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O Lord; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints (89:5) . . . O Lord God of hosts, who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You (89:8).”

He does all things well . . . that includes His faithfulness . . . His steadfastness . . . His stability . . . His firmness . . . His fidelity. God is true . . . our Father is faithful. Yes! Amen! Wow!!!

When things are failing . . . or flailing . . . when stuff starts going south . . . when the seas get choppy . . . when my faithfulness is far from unwavering . . . yet, He remains faithful. His faithfulness is established in heaven . . . it surrounds Him. “What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar.” (Rom. 3:3-4). Our God can be can be counted on . . . when He says that He will never leave us or forsake us, we can rest in it. His promises are true . . . established on the foundation of His faithfulness.

And so, not only will the heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord, but too, the “assembly of the saints” will praise Your faithfulness . . . and with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness. You do all things well . . . Your faithfulness endures forever!

One-two . . . overwhelmed with amazement.

His faithfulness, the praise of my lips.

Knocked out!

Wow!!!