Psalm 23:1 NABRE The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
Nothing is the opposite of everything.
And to a scientist, that’s a big bunch of a whole lot of somethings.
Most scientists are trained not to use absolutes like nothing, everything, never, or always. We learn early in our studies in science that most all somethings are affecting something else. We appreciate there’s barely ever a time, circumstance, or species not affected by something. (This holds true even with seemingly inert elements, distant planets, isolated ecosystems, or deep bedrock materials.) The “everything’s connected” thought resonates with biologists, like me, who see (nearly) everything in terms of systems, processes, and cycles which are ever-changing with time, circumstances, and species.
Having said all that, the truth of Psalm 23:1 with its’ reality of never lacking something can always be everything in its impact on my faith. The power of this concept of always being seen and known by my God in Presence, provision, peace, and protection brings me to my knees in worship and to my tip-toes in wonder.
When worship and wonder convene in power, opportunity for learning and life can flourish, no matter the circumstance or condition, time or temptation. When I stop to worship the wonder of my Good God and His working for good, then I am filled all-the-way-up with the reality of His lavish love. Both His love laid out before me and His goodness and mercy following after me, all the days of my life (see Psalm chapter 23 and 1 John chapter 4).
I know and rely on the truth that God always at work for good to come from everything with nothing wasted in the working. (And nothing wasted includes times of suffering I’d never have chosen to live in or through. Yet I know this – God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good. (see Romans 8:28).) Knowing those truths doesn’t come easy, but trust me, they’re essential truths which open doors to joy and its’ resolute and resilient strength found in the trust of the glorious goodness of God (see Nehemiah 9:10).
That resilient strength of faith found in the choice of joy requires that I keep asking myself these questions:
Do I actively recognize God at work in the world around and in me?
Do I deliberately look for God in creation and created, in lives and longings, in plans and proceedings, in dreams and desires, in temptations and trials, in systems and soul-searching, and faith and flourishing? Or do I just see my own circumstances and times as nothing more than opportunities for my own success or defeat or my own standing in faith for Him or denying Him in fear?
Do I look for God to be at work in my never-told-anyone dreams or my always-in-my-mind doubts?
Do I look to see God at work in my family and friends, in my neighbors and dare-not-look-at beggars on the roadside, in my obligations and opportunities, and in my challenges, commitments, and calendar?
Unfortunately, this scientist can’t always say “yes” about anything in the above-listed questions. Nor do I always say “no” to all the things that distract me from watching my Good God at work in my life and others’ lives, too.
But I can say this – my Good God never changes in Who He says He is and what He says He will do.
And I can say this – my Good God is always loving, kind, merciful, gracious, just, providing, sustaining, protecting, guiding, helping, righteous, and holy, holy, holy.
God never has nor never will be anything but always true, faithful, able, wise, knowing, powerful, and present in all places at all times for all peoples.
Speaking of people, just ask David or Daniel, Abraham or Abednego, Mary or Martha, Esther or Ephraim, Moses or Matthew, Peter or Paul, Stephen or Samuel or the oh-so-many others in their stories of trusting and testing God in His promises for their good and His glory laid out in Scripture. Then, ask the countless others whose names are not in Scripture or any other book – they’ll say the same about our Good God. And they’ll keep saying these truths this as they smile and tell their stories about God which they’ve kept at the ready on their tongues for a single opening to speak.
On that note, what story from your life (or another’s) brings you to your knees in worship or your tip-toes in wonder about our Good God? That story which comes to your mind by telling of His lavish love and every morning new mercies?
I’d encourage you to consider how you can use this (or another) story to encourage someone to find wonder and worship in today. There’s never a better gift to give to someone at Christmas (or every day). There’s never been a better gift given for all peoples for all times than Jesus!
Written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2024.
If you’re looking for a special Christmas gift, please take a look at the books available from Northeastern Baptist Press on the link below. I’d be honored if you’d consider one (or all three) of my books as a gift for family, friend, or yourself!
https://www.nebpvermont.com/books
Soul Scientist 
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