Prepositions in faith

Do you remember learning about “above,” “beyond,” “in,” “of,” and the other approximately 150 prepositions that belong in the English language? My kids are learning grammar, and I am once again acquiring an appreciation for prepositions. Not to diagram on pages of lifeless assignments, but to treasure in my heart through the pages of Scripture.

“Rejoice,” Paul writes in Philippians 4:4. That’s hard to do with the added directive in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to “give thanks in all circumstances.” Giving thanks is relatively easy on a peaceful Sunday when the day is fresh and I’m worshipping with God’s people. The preposition “in all circumstances” is an entirely different matter when the day is late and I’m feeling cranky.

Then, the next set of prepositions rushes in with the solid ground to fix my hope upon. “Rejoice in the Lord”; and, “this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:18; emphasis added). These prepositional phrases relieve and delight my soul by reminding me of my Saviour. This is the deep-rooted joy that we witness both in the blind man restored and in the persecuted disciples who could not stop telling what the Lord had done for them (Luke 8:39; Acts 4:20).

Photo by Amariei Mihai on Unsplash

What has he done for me? The persistent miracles of his sustaining word that we experience in every planet’s orbit and each human’s breath (Hebrews 1:3). Then, more specifically, he gives to his children the gift of salvation—salvation that is glorious enough to endure for ages to come (Ephesians 2:7).

I recently discovered a verse that I’ve never noticed before tucked away at the end of the Psalms. Psalm 149:4, “For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.” This verse has another beautiful preposition. Taking delight in his people. The Lord who made the massive mountains and magnificent waterfalls. The Lord who has endless stars and the whole heavens declaring his glory (Psalm 19:1). He takes delight in me and you as his redeemed people. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

And when I am discouraged, I’m reminded of faithful Abraham’s example. The promise was given, and while he waited, his faith grew strong and he “gave glory to God,” because he was “fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:20–21). I can do that! I can trust that the God who fulfilled his promises to Abraham and to the Israelites will also fulfill his promise to all who love his appearing.

Charles Spurgeon is credited with saying, “I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.” Spurgeon also wrote, “The wave of temptation may even wash you higher up upon the Rock of ages, so that you cling to it with a firmer grip than you have ever done before,” and that is a very good thing to give thanks for! “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1).