“He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” (Psalm 103:7 NKJV)
“You unveiled to Moses your plans and showed Israel’s sons what you could do.” (Psalm 103:7 TPT)
“He revealed His character to Moses and His deeds to the people of Israel.” (Psalm 103:7 NLT)
“He made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” (Psalm 103:7 AMP)
“He revealed His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel.” (Psalm 107:7 HCSB)
“He shows His way to Moses and His works to the sons of Israel.” (Psalm 103:7 ABIPE)
When you hear a negative report about someone that you know what is one of your first reactions? For me, it is to think that there must be a misunderstanding. I give those that I love and respect the benefit of the doubt before jumping to a negative conclusion. Knowing the “ways” (character) of a person changes the way I look at the “acts” (deeds) of that person.
I have had the privilege to have my granddaughter living with me for most of the last 5 years. On a number of occasions I have counselled her to think before she speaks or acts as what she says and does will build a reputation. Once a reputation has been established then those around us interpret all that we say and do through that reputation. The children of Israel had misinterpreted what they perceived to be the acts of God, therefore they thought His ways were harsh and cruel. They did not truly know Him because they kept a distance out of fear. They established a reputation of God that was far from accurate.
When I think of my Daddy (my Heavenly Abba Father) what image comes into my mind? Do I see an angry God waiting to judge the world? Do I see a Creator separated from His creation? Or do I see a Good and Loving Father longing for a close relationship with His children?
When sickness, lack, trials, and tribulations enter my life; do I receive them as “acts of God?” When this world is torn apart by “natural disasters” do I label them as “acts of God?” How I perceive the “ways” (character) of God will color the way I interpret what I believe to be the “acts of God.”
In Psalm 103:7 I can see that there was a difference in how the children of Israel saw God and how He was seen by Moses. Moses wanted a personal relationship with his Heavenly Father. The Israelites wanted Moses to act as a buffer to shield them from God. For years that is how I saw Jesus. He was my buffer, my protection, from an angry God. It blew me away when the Father introduced Himself to me as my Daddy. The revelation that He wasn’t mad at me was overwhelming. The revelation that He wasn’t separated from me was even more astonishing. Now that I know His ways (character) I realize that we are one. He is in me, and I am in Him. There is no sin barrier. There is no separation. There is simply love and goodness. Oh, how He changed the way that I think!
I am getting a clearer picture of who He is, and what he does, as I think on…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 234: Kingdom Living (Psalm 103) Part 8 – Verse 7