Day 25 of Praise

Dear Lord, how much I appreciate Your viewpoint regarding human status and abilities, failures and weaknesses.  I’m so glad that You, the high and exalted One, are not impressed with the positions people hold . . . that You are not in the least partial or prejudiced . . . that You show no personal favoritism.  Thank You that You have no regard for any external distinctions: for rich or poor, for famous or unknown, for high rank or low, for handsome or homely, for any race or culture above any other . . . but that You do have regard for all who are humble in heart.  Thank You that You are not looking for ideal people with imposing lists of human qualifications, but that You use people whom the world calls foolish and weak, poor and insignificant.  Thank You that You oppose those who exalt themselves, and that You exalt those who humble themselves, giving them Your grace. 

How glad I am that You don’t expect perfect performance.  “You are quick to mark every simple effort to please You, and just as quick to overlook imperfections when I meant to do Your will” (Tozer).  You are full of mercy and compassion toward me.  You know the way I’m put together; You know my limitations; You understand that I am dust.  And I praise You that You are greater than any or all of my failures . . . that as my Potter You are able to mold and remold me, as I submit to Your wisdom and skill . . . that as the Mater Artist You are able to take the dark threads of my life – my wounds, my scars, my blotches, the messes I make, and even my sins – and blend them into a beautiful design, to the praise of the glory of Your grace. 

Thank You that I, a common earthenware jug, contain the priceless treasure of Your life and glory, and so my every victory and accomplishment obviously comes from Your all-prevailing power, and not from me.