Devotions for teachers: A Real Likeness - Psalm 17 v 15

Psalm 17:15 And I--in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

Yesterday I made a special presentation to our church Seniors group about my artwork. I showed them the processes that I use when I create a drawing of a place or animal. I think they were all fascinated by the procedure and I took great pleasure in seeing them pleased with my work.

My art is impressionistic which means that it is like the subjects that I draw, but not as real as a photograph. I love impressionism because it allows you to use different shades, colors and strokes to represent a building, a place, or a creature. Most people enjoy impressionism because it allows them to put the picture together in their minds rather than on the canvas. The viewer becomes a participant in the artistry and, because each person is different, everybody views the drawing in different ways.

When the writer of Psalm 17 declares that he will be satisfied with seeing the likeness of God, I think that he is talking about looking at God impressionistically. It’s as if the psalmist understands that he cannot gaze directly into the face of God, for that would put him on equal terms with God. Therefore he looks forward to the day when he will see the likeness, the impression, the representation of God. To me, this is a prophetic and messianic verse because the psalmist is referring to Christ.

I believe that when we look at God in eternity, we will see Jesus face-to-face. He allows us to view Him directly because He has made all things level through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. The Cross cancels out our sin, so that we are no longer separated from God. The Resurrection gives us an everlasting hope, so that we may enjoy and be in God’s presence forever.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, thank You for being the likeness of God for us. Thank You for making the way clear for us, so that we may look into Your eyes and know that You are our Lord and our God. Help us to share this good news with others today. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

John’s artwork is online at www.stushieart.wordpress.com. If you would like a signed copy of any piece, please contact him at the above email.

Today’s image is one that he completed last night. It is called “Iconic Moon” and features an American Bald eagle.

Teacher Devotions: Picturing the Psalms

Luke 24:45 Then Jesus opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

I regularly suffer from insomnia, so the chances are that you’ll find me reading, writing, or drawing late at night. I do this to keep my mind occupied and to weary my eyes so that eventually I will fall asleep.

For the past two years, I have been working on a special art project. I’m trying to create a drawing for each of the 150 psalms in the Bible. As I read each psalm, I ask God to help me choose the right verse in order to create a symbolic drawing. Once I feel that he ahs shown me what to do, I start putting my crayons onto paper. Each time I finish, I feel fulfilled.

When I first set out to complete the project, I thought it would only take me 150 nights. I was so wrong. It’s probably going to take me about three years to complete the project. Last night I completed Psalm 79, which was a tough one because it’s all about God’s wrath.

I don’t know what I’ll do with the project once I have finished it. In the meantime, I hope that those who come across my picture psalms on the internet will be drawn closer to God. It’s my way of trying to follow in Christ’s footsteps to help people open their minds, so that they can understand the scriptures. Sometimes a picture can convey the message that can’t be done with hundreds of words.

When Christ opens our minds to the scriptures, He does this to affect major changes in our lives. The Bible is not just a collection of ancient stories, it’s a living document that’s meant to shape our ideas, formulate our decisions, and influence our choices each and every day of our lives.

Perhaps you’re at a new crossroads in your life and you need help to make the right decision. Pick up your Bible and look at the Book of Psalms. As you read the personal spiritual trials of people in the past, ask Christ to open your mind to the scriptures. At some point, He will lead you to a verse that speaks to your heart and helps you make the right choice.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know everything about our lives, so when You give us guidance from the scriptures, You are perfectly and fully informed about our circumstances. We pray that You will open our minds to Your words and our hearts to Your ways. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

If you would like to see the progress that I’m making with the Psalms project, please visit the following link online: http://www.flickr.com/photos/traqair57/sets/72157603288751629/

You can also see my other artwork at http://www.stushieart.wordpress.com

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.