Daily Encouragement (9/13/21) "Like Grasshoppers"
Published: Mon, 09/13/21
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A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.
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Monday, September 13, 2021
 "Like Grasshoppers"
Note: Some of our readers appreciate our lessons from personal reminiscing, others perhaps not so much. The exposition in today's message starts at the Isaiah 40:22 photo of the earth (third photo below).
Listen to this message on your audio player. “Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers” (Isaiah 40:21-22). "What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?" (Psalm 8:4).
 I remember the fun times I had visiting my grandparents during the summer months. They lived in Southern Missouri about 80 miles from
our house in the suburban Kansas City area. Of course I enjoyed playing outside during the hot days of July and August before it was time to go back to school. One specific recollection I have is watching the scores of grasshoppers in the farm fields hopping from one plant to another. It was a pleasurable boyhood adventure to catch as many as possible, but I sure didn’t like the tobacco-like juice they’d spit out on my hands!Brooksyne’s childhood was a bit more country than mine since she didn’t just visit the farm, but lived on one. As the old saying goes, “You can take a girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl!” Now we are blessed that we live out in the country and walk among the trails bordered by corn fields that have thousands of grasshoppers descending upon the stalks of corn! Brooksyne also has grasshopper memories and informs me that catching grasshoppers isn’t just a boy’s thing! Here's her story:
Having grown up on a small farm west of Tulsa, Oklahoma the summer temperatures often soared over the 100 degree mark and our large yard simply turned into brown stubble which felt much like walking on pine needles.
As children we went barefoot most of the summer so we frequently stepped on grasshoppers whose colors blended into the brown grass. To break the doldrums of hot summer days we’d compete to see who could catch the most grasshoppers. We’d each take a quart canning jar from the well house so we could easily count our big catch and award the winner.
 It’s now over fifty years since our childhood grasshopper catching days. Although we no longer run around chasing grasshoppers we still see them in our yard and the corn
fields.We project the corn will be harvested any day now since it's being harvested in our neighborhood but until it is it's like walking through a green canyon. The afternoons have still been hot and at this season the grasshoppers are still busy, hopping to and fro. They “sing” as they scrape their rear legs against their wings. They are getting in their last mating efforts before the cooler days
bring the silence of autumn.
 Isaiah 40 is a grand chapter that contains one of the greatest expressions of the glory and majesty of God in the entire Bible. Today’s verse gives us God’s perspective stating that “He sits enthroned above the circle of
the earth". Indeed God is seated on His throne, for He reigns supreme over heaven and earth. It's interesting to look at the phrase "the circle of the earth" which reveals divine revelation regarding the round earth even though the dominant view up to several hundred years ago was that the earth was flat.In great contrast to God being enthroned above the circle of the earth the Bible says "its people are like grasshoppers". What candid bluntness regarding the relative temporary and frail condition of humanity! The grasshopper is just a tiny insect compared to me and has a lifespan of only 4-12 months. The ones that we saw as children are long, long gone and are nothing more than a brief memory. And with a longer, let alone, eternal perspective that’s the same for us on our earthly journey! Nature and history verifies this again and again. Are we any different today? I suspect each living generation believes there is a special significance to its own existence. But the Bible declares, “generations come and generations go” (Ecclesiastes 1:4). And so will ours. Today's second Scripture text asks in amazement, "What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?" (Psalm 8:4). But praise be to God, the Almighty God is mindful of us. He loves and cares for each one, although, in comparison to Deity, we are like grasshoppers. He provided His Son, who came down to dwell among us. He gave His life for the fallen human race and then He rose from the dead and ever lives to make intercession for us. One glorious day He is coming again! We urge you to keep that perspective before you today and all through your brief life. Perhaps you’ll recall this message the next time you see a grasshopper! Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father God, Your almighty power is balanced with Your
tender compassion toward all of creation. It is because of Your abundant mercies that we are not consumed or utterly forsaken, that we are valued far above the common insect or even the most cuddly pet. You show Your compassionate sovereignty to us by creating the sun, moon and stars that give us light. You created plants as a food source and provide a climate suitable for sustaining life. Your love is most evident when You sent Your Son as our Redeemer. Thank You for
clothing us with dignity, providing us with salvation and for abiding with us day in and day out. Amen.Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"How Great Thou Art/How Great Is Our God" Video The concluding song from our worship service yesterday at Calvary Church (includes the pastor's concluding prayer).
"Psalm 8 (How Majestic Is Your Name)" Video Shane & Shane
When I look at Your heavens
The moon and stars You set in motion, oh God I sing all glory and honor What is man that You are mindful The son of man that You would care for him We sing all glory and honor "Be Enthroned" Video Calvary Church Choir This is from early 2018. We are excited that our choir resumes singing for the first time this coming Lord's Day! Shortly after this video was recorded the church really stepped up in production quality and here's a version of the song with the worship team. Video 
Two weeks ago Brooksyne bought a rose tree at Lowes that was on its way to being thrown out (perfect timing since the worker was carrying it out the gate when Brooksyne spotted her). Upon inquiry the worker offered it to sell it to her for $1.00. The healthy rose trees just like it were selling for $50.00. (See photo when we bought it here.) She trimmed it back and gave it some TLC such as water and sunshine. Lo and behold it is already on its way to looking healthy!
 We now have three buds this morning (this one was hiding behind foliage in photo above) and since this is a perennial we (Brooksyne) hope to maintain it for many years.
We are introducing Gracie to our two dogs. Mollie must seem huge to her and certainly poses a threat in Gracie's mind!
 Sadie and Gracie have been studying each other since Gracie's arrival on Aug. 31st, but in spite of our best efforts, they remain wary of playing together. They seem more content just studying one another from a safe distance.
Finally today:
This goose gourd is waiting to be "adopted" as she is all dolled up sitting on a wagon filled with many undressed gourds at the entrance to the Strasburg Railroad. I (Brooksyne) was tempted to pinch her nose but resisted!
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version. Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity." © Copyright 2021 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
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