Marvelous in Our Eyes

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

Probably like you I have read and thought about passages like this one from Psalm 118:23.

the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Specifically, in the above case, it finishes up the thought of Psalmist who has simply recounted truth about Messiah; the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. The entire 118th Psalm is testament to the power of God not only in bringing forth the Messiah, but in helping His children overcome the obstacles experienced in life.

Jesus quotes this passage in Mark 12, in his parable about the wicked tenants. In effect, this statement – the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes – is a fascinating statement. I’ve read it. You’ve read it. Pastors have preached about it. Books have been written regarding it. But even though we get a sense of what that means, it isn’t really driven home to us until something in our life matches it. Then our eyes begin to open to that awesome reality. Let me give you a personal example.

I’ve written about my health in this blog numerous times over the years. Just when I think I’ve gotten to a point where “I’m good,” something else transpires that brings me back to the reality that I still have things that need improvement. Over the past ten years or so, I believe the Lord has led me on a path that has gradually increased the quality of my health. What has been a bit frustrating though is that at times, I seem to hit a wall. As long time readers know, I was at one time morbidly obese at 255 pounds. With a frame of only 5′ 7″ that is way too much weight to carry! So, after earnestly seeking Him, He took me by the hand and led me down a path that slowly but persistently increased my health as I lost weight. At my best, I was down to 163 pounds and then started to relax. That ultimately meant putting on about 20 pounds so I ended up at 184.

I’m once again working on it to reduce it. I won’t go into all the details about how I did that and what I do today. Suffice it to say that aside from simply learning to avoid highly processed foods and drinks, I also began limiting what I ate. However, the one thing I have always had a very difficult time with has been avoiding sugary foods. Ever since I was a young boy, sweets were always on my mind. I craved them and for much of my life, I craved them.

So, I finally realized that if I was not able to get a grip on that, nothing would be long lasting and truly effective. My recent six month check up with my endocrinologist woke me up. Even though I’ve always been somewhat pre-diabetic (but never diabetic), my numbers during this last visit were just over the high end of the range. He indicated that if I lost five pounds that would help. Yes, but that wouldn’t take care of my cravings and I wanted to do something about that.

I began to petition the Lord over this situation, asking Him for direction, for the ability to ignore cravings for sweets. Well, He actually did something far better than that, which is where we get to the “marvelous” part of this whole thing.

Many readers know I am a researcher. I tend to read numerous medical white papers. I read a great deal of substack articles by actual doctors. Some things I don’t understand though most of them explain things in a way that makes it understandable for the average non-medical person.

I found a number of things that I thought might be beneficial to me by way of supplementation: Ceylon Cinnamon (with Apple Cider Vinegar, Turmeric, Bioperine and Ginseng Root). I’ve known for a while that Ceylon Cinnamon by itself has some merit in reducing glucose levels, but I guess I never took it seriously. Now, I was starting to do that.

Another supplement that I’d read might work well was chromium. I checked into things and found a liquid supplement that contains very small amounts of three minerals: vanadium, chromium and zinc. I thought I had little to lose (except a few dollars), so I bought both supplements.

It is interesting to me that the first Saturday after I began taking these supplements, I checked my blood glucose levels and learned that it was 95. That’s actually good, as long as it is below 100. I continued taking them and the next Saturday, my blood glucose was measured at 90. Interesting. The third Saturday, my blood glucose levels were 85.

I also noticed a very marked decrease in sugar cravings and my weight started reducing itself automatically as I was essentially eating the same types of and amounts of food. I have been keeping track of not only my blood glucose levels but my weight and noticed I was starting to lose roughly a pound or so per week. Since the sugar cravings were diminishing I was eating far less sugary treats and frankly, I thought I had been eating less anyway, but apparently, not enough.

The battle with my constant sugary cravings was seriously diminishing. What I found now was that while I still enjoyed a sugary treat (made with pure cane sugar, coconut sugar or something else along those lines), I was satisfied with a much smaller amount of it.

Now, I’m not a medical doctor and none of what I’m saying here should be taken as medical recommendations. Each person should do their own research and even talk with their healthcare provider(s) before making any type of decision about their healthcare. I’m simply sharing what has worked for me.

The bottom line is that last week as I was driving on errands, I was thinking about all these things and the statement, “the Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes” came to my mind! I was in absolute awe over it because of how the Lord had responded to my concerns and prayers. It was God. All God, who directed my steps, first in being frustrated with my own situation. Second, that led me to petition Him to help me find a solution. Third, He provided a solution for me that did not require visiting a ton of doctors and being put on a prescription medication.

The Lord has truly done this and to stop, consider and contemplate this is nothing less than marvelous. It is awe-inspiring in fact, that God, who is the Maker of all things, would stoop to listen to one of His children’s concerns and then take the time to lead that child to a solution that is life-changing and permanent is beyond our ability to truly appreciate. Yet, when it does begin to sink into our hearts, our only response is to sit silently at first in abject awe and then turn to Him fully with praise overflowing our hearts!

This is the depth of God and His goodness to those who fear Him, to those who are called according to His purposes! These situations in our lives are meant for our growth obviously. But interestingly enough, they are also meant for our increased ability to know about God, to praise Him for His benefits and to grow in earnest desire to continue bringing our needs and wants before Him.

When I consider in the past month that He allowed a situation (my discontent) into my life, that instead of simply being frustrated over, it caused me to go to Him asking for His help, and then to realize that He did provide that help, I can only sit in wonder and consider how marvelous our God is concerning us. If this type of thing happening in your life does not increase the gratitude you have for our loving Father, it’s possible that you are not focusing on the correct thing.

Sometimes God allows situations in our life that seem frustrating. Yet, He has an answer and when we are diligent in presenting ourselves and our petitions to Him, He is faithful in providing answers. When we then take the time to see the connection between how much He loves us and responds to our petitions, it is designed to drive us to Him even more!

Consider Luke 17:11-17, the story of the ten lepers. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, near Samaria and Galilee, when He was met by ten men who were lepers. Lepers were not allowed to mingle with people who were not lepers, so this situation here expresses their tremendous desire to be rid of their leprosy.

Interestingly, Jesus shows no fear or hesitation. He wasn’t concerned about “catching” leprosy or becoming ceremonial unclean because of them. The ten lepers did stay at a distance but called out to Him. Jesus essentially responded to them by telling them to go and show themselves to the priest because it was the priest’s job according to the Mosaic Law to determine a person’s state of leprosy or their cleanness from it.

The text tells us that they clearly obeyed Jesus’ command and as they went along the road (ostensibly to a priest), they realized they were cleansed from their leprosy.

But here is the really interesting part. Out of ten lepers, only one of them returned to Jesus in absolute amazement.

¹⁵ One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. ¹⁶ He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

Verse 15 notes that when that particular man realized he had been healed/cleansed, he returned to Jesus praising God in a loud voice. He was so happy, so in awe of God that He praised Him out loud, not caring who heard him or what anyone might have thought of him.

But the second most important thing this man did was to literally throw himself at Jesus’ feet in worshipful praise! I will tell you that when I realized over the past few weeks what God had done for me with respect to my prediabetes situation and blood glucose levels, I felt much like this Samaritan. I praised the Lord out loud. The only thing I could not do is to throw myself at the feet of Jesus. How I wish I could do that and I know that one day, I will. When I see Him in eternity, I will gladly with vigor bow before Him, caressing His feet, thanking Him for His love for me, such an unworthy servant as I am.

I don’t think the people of Jesus’ day really understood what they had in Jesus while He lived among them. It was only after He had ascended did even His apostles begin to realize who He was and is and what that meant for them.

Our life here is surely seeing through a glass darkly. One day, we will see Him face to face and everything that we have considered to be important here will pale in comparison to Jesus. What He has done and continues to do for us, His children, is not what we deserve.

If you are dealing with situations in your life that frustrate you and even feel overwhelming, take it to Him. Petition Him boldly based on the fact that you are a son or daughter of God Most High in Christ. Work to trust Him for His outcome and when He brings it to pass, focus on the fact that what He has brought about is marvelous in your eyes. Let it sink in. Dwell on that reality. It will probably at first take away your ability to speak as you realize just how much God loves you. Then you will probably want to break out in praise and song worshiping the only God of the entire universe, who though He made everything, still has time to focus on YOU.

May God bless you as you seek Him. May He become to you a source of blessing, encouragement and awe.

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

Source: https://studygrowknowblog.com/2024/11/15/marvelous-in-our-eyes/