A-ONE and A-TWO

For those of you that are in the same age range as myself (old) you will probably remember a show we used to watch on TV – The Lawrence Welk Show.  This was a musical variety show back in the big band era.  The band on the show was lead by Mr. Welk.  The weekly show featured singers and dancers and there were times that the well-dressed audience sitting at tables would get up and dance to his lovely music.  If I remember correctly there were bubbles falling down from above them and Mr. Welk often started his direction to the band by saying “a-one and a-two” leading them into the songs.

I have to confess that the above story has no spiritual meaning whatsoever.  But, in my study time that just popped into my mind when I read Psalms 62:11-12 (NIV): “One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard:  ‘Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love.’; and, ‘You reward everyone according to what they have done.’”  [Emphasis mine]

A-One…”Power belongs to you, God”!  Thank goodness the God we serve has all power and He uses that power in the best of ways.  Now I realize that even as Christians, things happen in our lives that are not always going to be good.  We then may think why is this happening to me?  Why is not God using all that power to make things right for me?  

The things to consider here are likely many.  But one thing I would like to point out is how we bring a lot of our unpleasant issues into our lives by decisions we make and things that we do.  Instead of seeking God’s guidance we just jump out and make decisions and take those actions that really do not fit in with His plan for our lives.  There are consequences to pay when we do that.  

There are also times that we innocently get into messes because Satan has tricked us into believing that what we are doing is the right thing.  He is the great deceiver – the great liar that we need to guard against every day.  Snap decisions can result in difficulties.   I know as well as anyone how easy that can be when we get excited about something and think to ourselves “what could go wrong?”  Well…sometimes plenty can go wrong.

It is rare that we find ourselves in situations where we cannot take the time to pray and contemplate a decision before moving on it.  That is something we should always be conscious of and strive for – taking suitable time before making decisions.  When we prayerfully consider things and make a decision based on what we believe to be God’s guidance then we will not have to wonder where His power is – it will have revealed itself to us with His assurances that we are doing the right thing.

But even when we make a mess of things, we can still count on the power of God to help us out. We only need to pray, confess and ask for His help.  Romans 8:28 (AMP) says:  “And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.”   

and A-Two…”’and with you, Lord, is unfailing love.’”  It does not matter what we have done in the past or how we are living our lives right now, we can be confident that God loves us – that verse just quoted tells us that God’s love is unfailing.  Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word unfailing as:  constant; everlasting; inexhaustible; infallible; sure.  I particularly like that word inexhaustible – defined as “incapable of being exhausted, emptied, or used up.”

God’s love cannot ever be used up – we cannot sin enough to cause His love to cease.  There are so many wonderful scriptures that express His love, but I want to quote Romans 8:37-39 (CEV):  “In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!”  After all, His love is so deep for us that He went so far as to send His very own Son to die, taking on all of our sins until the end of time – in order that we might live eternally in His presence.  (John 3:16 CEV – “God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.”)  [Emphasis mine]

It almost feels to me though like we need more – A-Three – because of another thought expressed in the original verses I quoted – Psalms 62:12 reminds us that we will be “rewarded” according to what we do.  So are we living our lives in such a way that the “reward” dealt to us will be banishment from His eternal presence, sent to Hades, because we never truly believed in His Son as we are commanded to do?  Or, will the “reward” be lesser than expected because although we are saved and go to heaven, we did not do our very best while here on earth?  Or, are we living our lives so that our “reward” will be maximized and beyond comparison?  

We need to think about the things we are commanded to do as Christians.  Do we love and accept others – even those we disagree with?  Do we do our best to live a Godly life following the 10 Commandments?  Do we study God’s Word and commune with Him regularly?  There are many questions that could be asked here, but you get the idea.  We were not put on this earth to just take up space and breathe the air – we were put on this earth to please our loving Father.  Be thankful for all that you have and strive to reflect Him to others.  Ask Him for power and the ability to love others as He loves us all.  Then remember that if you want to receive the best reward possible ask Him for the guidance and the strength to fulfill your destiny.

Written by Karran Martin – April 23, 2022