Something Spectacular: Another look at Psalm 103
Have you ever seen the movie “The Money Pit?” It’s a 1986 comedy starring Tom Hanks and Shelley Long. They buy a large old home with the belief that they can make it spectacular. Everything that could go wrong does go wrong! The stairs collapse, the tub falls through the floor, there’s an electrical fire and even the gorgeous chandelier crashes to the ground. Add in contractor issues plus an old lover and you have the basic story line. In my unique way of looking at scripture, that movie came to mind when I read Psalm 103.
Psalm 103:14-16 says, “For [God] knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass – he blooms like a flower of the field; when the wind passes over it, it vanishes, and its place is no longer known.”
My guess is you aren’t automatically seeing the connection between those verses and The Money Pit.
The Psalmist basically says man is fleeting; who he is and what he does just doesn’t last. He may look good for a while, but it’s not sustainable. We think if we work hard we can make ourselves into something spectacular! Think of all the self-help books, and the diet options, and the posts on Instagram that tell us we are worth it! Psalm 103 doesn’t say that; Psalm 103 says we are dust.
And God…
It doesn’t seem to matter to God that we are like a worthless beat-up old house. Just like the characters in the movie, God dumps everything He has into us. He pours all He is worth into making us spectacular! In Psalm 103:3 & 4 we learn God forgives all we’ve done wrong; He heals or fixes what is wrong with us; He redeems us, restoring us to value. In Money-Pit-fixer-upper terminology: God forgives all the mistakes we made in trying to improve ourselves. He rebuilds the foundations, the walls, the stairs and the ceiling; He recreates the flow from room to room establishing a welcoming open concept; He sands down old floors and re-grouts tile; He replaces windows and carpet and light fixtures all the while maintaining the home’s unique charm.
And God…
God is amazing! He doesn’t stop with just rebuilding our house. God does more. He crowns us with faithful love; He satisfies us with good things; He renews our youthful energy and exuberance (Psalm 103:4 & 5). In Money-Pit-fixer-upper terminology: God decks out each room with amazingly comfortable and beautiful furniture; He decorates the walls and the tables with original décor that speaks of Him and of us; He forms a space that energizes and also soothes one’s spirit. He creates a spectacular home.
Here’s what really gets me. When people look at a home that’s been rebuilt or redecorated they go on and on about the changes: the finishes and the colors and the ambiance. They gush over all the amazing details. They notice all the things that are different and better exclaiming how impressive the update is. But it’s not about how great this new space looks. It’s all about the one who fixed it up
I think that’s where we get messed up.
- When we accomplish good things and people compliment us it’s not about us. It’s about the One who fixed up our lives.
- When we say encouraging things to someone and she expresses deep gratitude, it’s not about us. It’s about the One who formed us to be people of hope.
- When we treat someone with kindness after he has been mean or rude to us and someone else compliments us on our restraint, it’s not about us. It’s about the One who created a space of peace in our souls.
- When we hold onto faith while our circumstances scream life is falling apart and others are impressed with our stability, it’s not about us. It’s about the One who is our anchor and foundation.
We may each be a money pit and God…
Psalm 103:17 reassures us by declaring “But from eternity to eternity the Lord’s faithful love is toward those who fear Him.” He is the One who is faithful ~ always. He is the one who loves ~ always. He is the one who dumps all He is and all He has into each of us ~ always.
He is the only way to be made into something spectacular.
