Proclamation Day

Psalm 145: 4 - One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.
That's not really an original thought...it's a theme mentioned often in God's Word. I guess that means it's important!
And I can see why.


We live in a world that seems to be moving further and further away from the things of God. Look at the constant promotion of external beauty, the call for abortion to be legal, the push for gay marriage, the view that all religions lead to God, the teachings that there is no right and wrong...it's all relative, etc.....


So if the next generation is going to hear about and get to know the One true God, we had better talk to them...tell them...teach them. No-one else is going to do it:) 
And who better to, than people who have experienced God's amazingness. First hand accounts and personal testimonies are so powerful.


Here's a little story from my life which ends today...or perhaps the journey really just starts today!


In mid-August, as our baby's due date was approaching, my husband decided that the best way to provide for an expanding family was to look for land. Space and country living were two criteria as we began a search of properties outside of our own industrial hometown. We looked at a couple of houses and one was even on 2.5 acres on the edge of the next little town and already had established gardens. Nice! But no, J didn't like the house.


So we continued to look, but started to lean towards purchasing land and building ourselves a house that J would like. We prayed about this adventure, asking God to direct our paths and provide a great place for us, if that was His will. On a ridge, in town, we found some newly subdivided acre blocks. Just a 10 minute walk from all that's important in life...the pool, library, school and grocery store. Perfect!


We looked at the land 3 different times and walked a few of the blocks, admiring the views and the breeze. The flyers available on site told us which blocks were 'on hold' and which were still available. There were a couple we liked but most had 'on hold' beside them. But there was one, Lot 18, that no-one else had put a deposit down on.


One Sunday afternoon, 2 weeks out from baby's arrival, J asked me if I wanted to go look at the land one more time. He thought we should put a deposit down on Lot 18. So out we went and picked up another flyer as we headed towards our dream block and low and behold, someone had secured the 'on hold' status on Lot 18. The look on J's face said it all, but his words were simply, "Well, that's the end of a dream."


The next day, J woke with a bad cold and decided to take the day off...which he rarely does. He stayed in bed most of the morning and when he emerged, I suggested he call the real estate agents and see what other land might be available in the same town as the block we'd just missed out on.


The first phone call actually revealed something quite delightful, and unexpected. Despite what the paperwork said....Lot 18 WAS available! We jumped in the car, drove out to the real estate and put down our deposit.


So today, Wednesday, December 8th at 2.30PM we have settlement on our block. What a wonderful and exciting story of God's provision for us. I would like to rename the day...not 'Settlement Day' but 'Proclamation Day.' J and I would like to proclaim God's goodness and echo David's words from Psalm 145:
³ Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 
⁴ One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. 
⁵ They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. 
⁶ They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. 
⁷ They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
⁸ The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.⁹ The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. 
¹⁹ He fulfils the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. ²¹ My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.