Sown in Weakness, Raised in Power - Psalms 148-150 and I Corinthians 15:29-58
We used to sing a song about the resurrection of the believer's body that said, "Sown in weakness, raised in power; ready to live in paradise." The first part is a quote from I Corinthians 15:43. This phrase contains a powerful truth with several applications. Of course, the obvious meaning of I Corinthians 15:43 is that our old fleshly body will die or it will be changed at the coming of Christ, so that we can receive a new spiritual body that will last for eternity. The first body is weak, and it breaks down, but the new body is so powerful it can last forever with no corruption. Just take a moment to consider this great blessing. However, this is only the culmination of a process that began when we came to know Christ. The first thing that happened when Christ saved us was that the old man died, and we were raised in the newness of life. Christ designed it that way, so that we would be a new creature, a new person, so we would be able to have the power to live for Him in this life. His power came to live is us in the person of the Holy Spirit. However, that is not all. Paul said in I Corinthians 15:31, "I die daily." Why did he say that? Every day, we are to die to self and to ask God to live through us in His power. Every day, we are to put off the old, which is weak, and to put on the new man, who is strong in the Lord. Do you see the process? God is in the business of turning our weakness into strength through His power. We can't do it, but He does it when we trust Him to forgive our sins and to be the Lord of our lives.
In fact, the psalmists emphasize the reality that all of creation should praise the Lord using all means of praise. The psalmist even calls on the stars to praise Him. Now, we might take that as symbolic, but there is a literal reason for the stars to praise the Lord. One day this whole universe will be burned up and the Lord will make a new heavens and a new earth.(II Peter 3:10-13) Sounds like what He does for us, doesn't it? The old dies, and there is a new one that is freed from the effects of sin. Once and for all God will wipe sin from His creation, and that is a reason for all creation to praise Him. Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!
Tomorrow, I Intend to read Proverbs 1-2 and I Corinthians 16.
In fact, the psalmists emphasize the reality that all of creation should praise the Lord using all means of praise. The psalmist even calls on the stars to praise Him. Now, we might take that as symbolic, but there is a literal reason for the stars to praise the Lord. One day this whole universe will be burned up and the Lord will make a new heavens and a new earth.(II Peter 3:10-13) Sounds like what He does for us, doesn't it? The old dies, and there is a new one that is freed from the effects of sin. Once and for all God will wipe sin from His creation, and that is a reason for all creation to praise Him. Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!
Tomorrow, I Intend to read Proverbs 1-2 and I Corinthians 16.