ACKNOWLEDGE THE LORD

In all your ways know, recognize and acknowledge him,
and he will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
PROVERBS 3:6 TAB

In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths.
PROVERBS 3:6 NKJ

When I acknowledge God, I respond first to who he has shown himself to be to me. I give thanks to him for revealing himself to me as my savior, my helper, my healer, my keeper, my constant companion and friend. I recognize his authority as Creator of the universe and as Head of his church, of which I am a member. I declare that his promises and claims in his Word are good and true. I tell him that I believe what he says and I trust who he is.

Sometimes I come to him in the midst of stife and uncertainty but acknowledging him in this way builds my faith so that I can confidently release myself into his care and experience his peace, knowing he will take charge of my situation and direct me in straight and plain paths.

GOD WANTS TO MAKE US RADIANT

I will extol the Lord at all times;

his praise will always be on my lips
My soul will boast in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord & he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.

Ps 34:1-5 NIV

SHAME AND FEAR

Shame and fear are linked together in verses 4 and 5 of Psalm 34. If we have one, we probably have the other. Being shamed, being publicly humiliated, causes a person to fear it happening again. Or if a person is abused, generally they will feel ashamed in addition to fear, even though they did nothing wrong. The first verses speak of being afflicted. Shame and fear are debilitating afflictions.

A WAY OUT

So what is the way out? The psalmist approaches God with humility and confidence. He draws near to him with extravagant praise and worship: he extols, boasts in, glorifies and exalts. He puts effort and positive energy into seeking the Lord. The word "always" indicates he does this as a lifestyle. He urges others to join him in his praise. He sees God as not only praiseworthy, but as the answer to his problems. And God responds to him, transforming his countenance from one of affliction to one of radiance.

Photo by capdar, http://www.flickr.com/photos/captain_don/

PAUL'S PRAYER FOR US
Ephesians 3:16-19 HNV

…that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory,
that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;

that Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith;
to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

may be strengthened to comprehend with all the holy ones
what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know Messiah's love which surpasses knowledge,
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

HOW TO BE FILLED WITH GOD'S FULLNESS

The object of Paul's prayer is that the church (comprised of believing Jews and Gentiles) is found in verse 19: that we be filled with the fullness of God. I see verse 16 as an introductory statement, as if he is saying, "this is how you become strengthened with the Spirit's power:" Everything that follows describes the process that leads us to walking in God's fullness. It is a progression that begins with trusting Jesus, then experiencing his love and then being immersed in it.

Being filled with God's fullness (verse 19) is the result of what verse 16 promises. As we become stronger and stronger in the Spirit and his revelation of the the knowledge of Jesus' love, we experience that love to such a degree that we are immersed in it. We come to know by our own experience, that his love surrounds us. It is above us, below us, to our left and to our right. process continues until we are filled with His fullness.

The verses are a bit complicated but the foundational truth here is that this process of growth occurs as we invite Jesus into our lives and issues, choosing to trust Him day by day, moment by moment.

BACKGROUND OF THESE VERSES

Previously in this chapter, Paul explains the "Mystery of God through the Ages." He says that it was always God's plan to unite Jews and Gentiles in Christ Jesus and that his plan is now being demonstrated to the angels that rule in heavenly places. This was extraordinary news, for the Jews were known as God's Chosen People and considered themselves defiled by close contact with Gentiles. In fact the word "Gentile" was usually followed by the word "sinner," as in, "Gentile sinners." And everyone who wasn't a Jew was a Gentile.

What was being played out here was a revelation of God's mercy and grace, something new to the world and to the angels. No wonder Paul says in verse 14 that he falls to his knees when he thinks about God's wise plan. No human or angel would ever have thought of - or had the means - to unite these two separate factions. But it was done through Christ Jesus, Lord of all.