Tuesday, October 18, 2016

The Majestic Name of Jesus

Psalm 8 (of David; NIV84)

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and cowned him with glory and honor.
You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is you name in all the earth!

Recently, we returned from a visit to our inner-city mission ministry in Stockton, California. God is working to help our missionaries there to make a difference in the lives of young people that would be destined to be a part of gang life. Jesus is making a difference in this inner-city work and our WGM missionaries are doing a great job of offering a lifestyle of love in Jesus' name. Since we flew into San Fransico on our visit, we took advantage of seeing the San Fransico Bay's famous Golden Gate Bridge and the notorious Alcatraz Island. We couldn't help but think of the ministry there in Stockton, as young men and women are receiving Jesus' love, learning that He is a bridge to eternal life, and that His ways will keep them from an imprisioned life of captivity.

In reflection on the majestic name of Jesus that the Psalmist writes about, these thoughts came to our minds as we journeyed together on this visit.

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth." As we look out over the mountains surrounding the peaceful waters, we are awestruck at the beauty-beholding. Then we realize you have set your glory and your majesty even higher than the heavens we can see. Your majesty is greater than the beauty we can behold. From the lips of children and even infants yet to utter a word, you are given praise. Your ear is inclined, bent low to hear the praise, and even the rocks cry out in praise and the trees clap their hands, silencing the enemy and rendering the foe and avenger powerless. Your mighty hand and your outstreached arm deliever us from evil.

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth." We see the movement of your finger as it majestically places the sun, moon, and stars in their courses aligned. And in all this beauty and your majesty, WHO ARE WE? How is it, Lord, that you are mindful of us? How is it possible, in all your splendour, rule, and reign, that you pause to care for us? How humbling for us to realize our place, lower than you, our master, and lower than your created angels that you have given charge over us. And yet you place on us a crown, you have chosen us with glory and honor.

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth." You chose us and crowned us, a faliable, sinful people, made righteous by your selfless giving of life and your shedding of blood. Yes Lord, you crowned us with your righteousness and we stand in awe of you, Holy God. For you took your creation, the very works of your hands, the mountains, the seas, the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fish in the sea, and you made us ruler of your creation and under our feet those things abide. We are drawn to you, "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth." Thanks be to God and His unsearchable gifts. All glory and praise to His MAJESTIC NAME!

As you look out over the mountains surrounding the peaceful waters, may you find these truths fresh upon your heart. We ask an interest in your prayers as we again travel to minister to our missionaries  - this time in Europe.

October 31 - Tirana, Albania (Arriving Nov. 1) to visit Nathan and Cydil Waggoner and family serving in the village of Vlashaj with WGM and Planters Seed Foundation.
November 4 - Budapest, Hungary to visit Dan and Katy Beth Searls and family; Gabor and Meg Dul and family; Mark and Eszti Landerholm and family, serving with WGM in various ministries.
November 8 - Lviv, Ukraine to visit Bill and Oksana Brower and family serving with WGM in the town of Berdyansk.
November 11 - Tbilisi, Georgia to visit Shushan Richardson serving with WGM in partnership with LLC International University English Language program.
November 14 - We begin our long trip back to Indiana through Amsterdam and Detroit.

We have a quick turn-around time to get to our Mental Health in Missions Conference at Pokagon State Park in Angola, Indiana, November 16-20. This conference is a highlight for us as we gather with over 100 like-minded member care persons serving missionaries around the world.

As always, we are mindful of your support and prayers. As you give to our ministry and as you pray for us, we are encouraged to continue to help serve our missionaries around the world. Thank you for your faithful giving.

In His Majestic Name,
Ned and Marlene McGrady
Member Health Directors
World Gospel Mission
Box 948
Marion, IN 46952
765.671.7240

www.wgm.org/mcgrady