Daily Reading: Zechariah 9, Psalm 28, 58, 88, 118
Psalm 118:17-19 “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. (18) The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. (19) Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:”
Rarely are we faced with the possibility that what we are going through would bring us death but I see this scripture as a common plight for me. There are trials, testing and disciplines that seem insurmountable at times. No…they will not kill me but they seem to want to drag me down so deep that I cannot see the light of day. Although I would say that the whole tubal pregnancy thing came close to being a life or death situation. I wasn’t afraid of dying though. I think it’s the little things that really get to me. The things that make me worry and the things that make me cringe at my failures or stupidity. Those situations cause me to choose…death or life. I shall not die but live…and declare the works of the Lord. It doesn’t matter what it looks like or how horrible I feel about it I am not on earth to declare the works of my mind or my hands…I will declare the works of the Lord. Yes, as verse 18 says, I am chastened sore, my heart is pained by my own doing and the shame I have endured by the realization of my depravity, but God does not give me over to death…I am now disciplined I have received whatever chastisement I deserve from my Father and I am free as never before to walk through the gates of righteousness. I will go in and I will praise the Lord. No wasting time trying to clean myself up with filthy rags…just open the gates! I am free to go in…I don’t care what I did or who I did it to…God has forgiven me, chastened me and brought me to life…the gates are no longer closed for me. It’s interesting to me that no matter how righteous we truly are…we are not carried into the gates of righteousness we have to get up and test the legs of the new creation that we are. We make a choice to either live on the side of death or on the side of life. Passing through the gates of righteousness we choose to believe the forgiving and merciful grace of God and stand up in His righteousness as whole and newborn. We declare as the Psalmist did…I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Friday, February 25, 2005
Paths of Mercy and Truth
Daily Reading: Zechariah 7 & 8, Psalm 25, 55, 85, 115, 145
Psalm 25:4 “Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.” Whenever I read that I picture a forest that is overgrown and though there are paths cut out and obvious…God’s ways are covered and He has to lift some of the brambles and vines in order to teach us His paths. His paths are narrow and overgrown from lack of use. Once you are on His path the way is firm, but the path is hard and because few choose to take it, it can be lonely.
Psalm 25:10 “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.” His paths are mercy and truth to those who are faithful to His ways. You can’t walk His paths with idle mind or selfish ambition. There isn’t room for what you want to take and what He wants you to take on the same path…in fact…you can’t take anything with you. He will carry whatever you need. He said that His yoke is easy and His burden is light…He wants your hands free and your feet swift.
Psalm 55:22 “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” The righteous shall never be moved… shaken… disturbed… afraid… deprived or left alone. We are sustained by an ever present guide and companion who shows us a path that is difficult, but rewarding and then allows us to give Him every ounce of baggage we think we are going to need along the way. Little by little He proves to us that we have never needed any of it and that if we trade in our burden for His…we will find ourselves delivered in peace from the enemy of deception and confusion.
Psalm 85:10-13 “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. (11) Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. (12) Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. (13) Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.” Mercy and truth again…these are the definition of the paths of the Lord according to Psalm 25:10. These paths meet each other and are taken by righteousness and peace who commune with one another and are so close they literally kiss each other…they love each other…they are not the same without the other. Truth springs out of the earth…coming up from the foundation and righteousness looks down from the canopy above…We are surrounded, covered above and supported beneath by the absolute reality of the love of God. His law and His goodness are met in our hearts as we walk this road of mercy and truth. How can we even consider going another way?
Psalm 115:1 “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.” Give glory to the name of the Lord for the sake of the pathways. For the sake of the clear understanding and open door to peace…give glory to the name of the Lord.
My hope is set on the reality of these words. Knowing that I am guided by a hand that longs to set me on paths of mercy and truth allows me to take each step with confidence and look before me with joy.
Psalm 25:4 “Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.” Whenever I read that I picture a forest that is overgrown and though there are paths cut out and obvious…God’s ways are covered and He has to lift some of the brambles and vines in order to teach us His paths. His paths are narrow and overgrown from lack of use. Once you are on His path the way is firm, but the path is hard and because few choose to take it, it can be lonely.
Psalm 25:10 “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.” His paths are mercy and truth to those who are faithful to His ways. You can’t walk His paths with idle mind or selfish ambition. There isn’t room for what you want to take and what He wants you to take on the same path…in fact…you can’t take anything with you. He will carry whatever you need. He said that His yoke is easy and His burden is light…He wants your hands free and your feet swift.
Psalm 55:22 “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” The righteous shall never be moved… shaken… disturbed… afraid… deprived or left alone. We are sustained by an ever present guide and companion who shows us a path that is difficult, but rewarding and then allows us to give Him every ounce of baggage we think we are going to need along the way. Little by little He proves to us that we have never needed any of it and that if we trade in our burden for His…we will find ourselves delivered in peace from the enemy of deception and confusion.
Psalm 85:10-13 “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. (11) Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. (12) Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. (13) Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.” Mercy and truth again…these are the definition of the paths of the Lord according to Psalm 25:10. These paths meet each other and are taken by righteousness and peace who commune with one another and are so close they literally kiss each other…they love each other…they are not the same without the other. Truth springs out of the earth…coming up from the foundation and righteousness looks down from the canopy above…We are surrounded, covered above and supported beneath by the absolute reality of the love of God. His law and His goodness are met in our hearts as we walk this road of mercy and truth. How can we even consider going another way?
Psalm 115:1 “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.” Give glory to the name of the Lord for the sake of the pathways. For the sake of the clear understanding and open door to peace…give glory to the name of the Lord.
My hope is set on the reality of these words. Knowing that I am guided by a hand that longs to set me on paths of mercy and truth allows me to take each step with confidence and look before me with joy.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Followed by Goodness and Mercy
Daily Reading: Zechariah 4-6, Psalm 23
Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
I love the 23rd Psalm. The first verses I memorized as a child were these 6 and they ring in my head in so many situations. When my mom was sick with cancer…”yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” So often in situations where I want to reach in and “do something” but I don’t know what to do and I don’t necessarily have the leading of the Holy Spirit as to direction I hear Him whisper the words “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” The words to this Psalm have fit into so many circumstances and verse six sums it all up…the goodness and mercy of the Lord are concentrated in His Word. His Word is life and security for me. And that assurance follows me wherever I go, allowing me to dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. What goodness! What sweet goodness it is to live in such security. The Word of God wraps itself around us when we seek the truth it holds. As we get closer and closer to the life it brings we find it is seeking us and the life we need.
Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
I love the 23rd Psalm. The first verses I memorized as a child were these 6 and they ring in my head in so many situations. When my mom was sick with cancer…”yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” So often in situations where I want to reach in and “do something” but I don’t know what to do and I don’t necessarily have the leading of the Holy Spirit as to direction I hear Him whisper the words “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” The words to this Psalm have fit into so many circumstances and verse six sums it all up…the goodness and mercy of the Lord are concentrated in His Word. His Word is life and security for me. And that assurance follows me wherever I go, allowing me to dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. What goodness! What sweet goodness it is to live in such security. The Word of God wraps itself around us when we seek the truth it holds. As we get closer and closer to the life it brings we find it is seeking us and the life we need.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
A Good Name
Daily Reading: Zechariah 2&3, Psalm 22, 52, 82, 112, 142, Proverbs 22
Psalm 52:9 “I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.”
In the same verse he says both that it is done and that he will wait. This is the way it is. Here is faith. Faith knows that the work is done and beyond that faith knows that the name of the Lord is unfailing. It is a good name…I can wait without shame on that which has been signed for by the Lord because His name is good. His account is caught up, and His integrity is beyond reproach. He never fails.
Psalm 112:1-4 “Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. (2) His seed shall be mighty upon the earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. (3) Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. (4) Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.”
I like this…the man that fears the Lord and delights in His commandments will have seed mighty upon the earth…wealth and riches…righteousness that endures and light in dark times or places. Who wouldn’t want this as a legacy? To live a life that is honoring to God more than yourself and reap rewards such as these would be so incredible. I want this. I want to have such assurance as this and live with this sort of faith.
Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”
This verse speaks of integrity being of greater importance than riches. The verses I quoted previously would set me thinking that a good name is none other than the name of the Lord and that if I choose to honor that name, He will bless me with the riches and favor that I cannot attain on my own. My goal will be His presence and my aim will be his heart. I cannot fail to be blessed if I am seeking Him and longing to understand His ways.
Trust in Him, I have to trust that yesterday’s moments of pain are not the end of my reward. Eternity must hold more than just a nice place to live. Eternity will be resolution, it will be affirmation and kind encounters. Eternity will be the warmth we missed from broken childhoods and the filling in of voids left after painful separation. Eternity will bless us beyond the capabilities of this world and we will be free to enjoy all that it has for us.
Psalm 52:9 “I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.”
In the same verse he says both that it is done and that he will wait. This is the way it is. Here is faith. Faith knows that the work is done and beyond that faith knows that the name of the Lord is unfailing. It is a good name…I can wait without shame on that which has been signed for by the Lord because His name is good. His account is caught up, and His integrity is beyond reproach. He never fails.
Psalm 112:1-4 “Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. (2) His seed shall be mighty upon the earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. (3) Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. (4) Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.”
I like this…the man that fears the Lord and delights in His commandments will have seed mighty upon the earth…wealth and riches…righteousness that endures and light in dark times or places. Who wouldn’t want this as a legacy? To live a life that is honoring to God more than yourself and reap rewards such as these would be so incredible. I want this. I want to have such assurance as this and live with this sort of faith.
Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”
This verse speaks of integrity being of greater importance than riches. The verses I quoted previously would set me thinking that a good name is none other than the name of the Lord and that if I choose to honor that name, He will bless me with the riches and favor that I cannot attain on my own. My goal will be His presence and my aim will be his heart. I cannot fail to be blessed if I am seeking Him and longing to understand His ways.
Trust in Him, I have to trust that yesterday’s moments of pain are not the end of my reward. Eternity must hold more than just a nice place to live. Eternity will be resolution, it will be affirmation and kind encounters. Eternity will be the warmth we missed from broken childhoods and the filling in of voids left after painful separation. Eternity will bless us beyond the capabilities of this world and we will be free to enjoy all that it has for us.
Friday, February 18, 2005
Lighting the Candle
Daily Reading: Zechariah, Psalm 18, Psalm 48
Psalm 18:28 “For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.”
Last night we went to the monthly leadership meeting at church. We watched a video that was basically a drama played out at a church. It was a monologue of a girl who was explaining why the church doesn’t reach her generation. It was touching and really insightful. I sat there and felt so out of touch with the people I’m supposed to be ministering to. The video was actually several years old and the generation she portrayed is now the same group who are sitting in my newlywed class right now. I felt so convicted that I didn’t know this group of young men and women. It is true that I cannot ever relate to them on an empathetic level, but I need to understand them. I need to know what my words mean to them. How truth is interpreted by them and what it takes to make them understand the reality of absolute truth. Granted the couples we are working with are all saved, but are they sure? Are they confident? Do they really know how much God loves them? Do they know what commitment is? Do they understand that they really can have successful marriages? The Lord will enlighten my darkness. Those areas where I cannot see beyond my own experiences and my own convictions…He will walk with me and light my candle so that I can see the difference in me and them…so that I can see the confusion that they are bearing and show them the same light that guides me can reveal truth to them. I felt so strongly last night that my prayers for these couples have been slightly amiss. That I have not prayed enough for their individual hurts to be healed, for their minds to be transformed and their hearts molded correctly. What an opportunity…to come to Christ with your mate and know that as you are learning to know who Jesus is…He is conforming you to himself as you are conforming to each other. How tight the bond will be when these young Christians are fully dedicated to the things of God.
Psalm 48:14 “For this God is our God forever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.”
I think one of the things that keeps me from relating to people is my fear of taking risk. It’s a risk to ask personal questions. What if they don’t like me? What if I hurt their feelings? What if it’s none of my business? What if they think I’m so naïve, I’m stupid? Wouldn’t it be better if I just make myself available and if they want to come to me, they can? No! Not anymore…ouch…I don’t like this. God will be our guide…even unto death. This death is not a heart stops beating, throw her in the coffin death…for me this verse is talking about my flesh dying to the Holy Spirit. I need to stop being afraid. He will guide me to the death of my flesh and to the revelation and power of the Holy Spirit. I have to move beyond what’s comfortable. That sounds so cliché and in truth…I’ve always felt like I’ve done that, but there are still areas I’m afraid to go. I need to constantly be aware that God is my God not just forever, but wherever. He will guide…as that guide, He will protect, He will comfort and He will be glorified. Sometimes I wonder if I’ve ever given Him the opportunities He’s desired. Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thank God…I am not confined to what I am capable of…Bless the Lord Oh My Soul, for He hath redeemed me and I am a new creature. Lord, help me recognize the flesh that so desires to creep from below my new feet and do the work that only you can do.
Psalm 18:28 “For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.”
Last night we went to the monthly leadership meeting at church. We watched a video that was basically a drama played out at a church. It was a monologue of a girl who was explaining why the church doesn’t reach her generation. It was touching and really insightful. I sat there and felt so out of touch with the people I’m supposed to be ministering to. The video was actually several years old and the generation she portrayed is now the same group who are sitting in my newlywed class right now. I felt so convicted that I didn’t know this group of young men and women. It is true that I cannot ever relate to them on an empathetic level, but I need to understand them. I need to know what my words mean to them. How truth is interpreted by them and what it takes to make them understand the reality of absolute truth. Granted the couples we are working with are all saved, but are they sure? Are they confident? Do they really know how much God loves them? Do they know what commitment is? Do they understand that they really can have successful marriages? The Lord will enlighten my darkness. Those areas where I cannot see beyond my own experiences and my own convictions…He will walk with me and light my candle so that I can see the difference in me and them…so that I can see the confusion that they are bearing and show them the same light that guides me can reveal truth to them. I felt so strongly last night that my prayers for these couples have been slightly amiss. That I have not prayed enough for their individual hurts to be healed, for their minds to be transformed and their hearts molded correctly. What an opportunity…to come to Christ with your mate and know that as you are learning to know who Jesus is…He is conforming you to himself as you are conforming to each other. How tight the bond will be when these young Christians are fully dedicated to the things of God.
Psalm 48:14 “For this God is our God forever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.”
I think one of the things that keeps me from relating to people is my fear of taking risk. It’s a risk to ask personal questions. What if they don’t like me? What if I hurt their feelings? What if it’s none of my business? What if they think I’m so naïve, I’m stupid? Wouldn’t it be better if I just make myself available and if they want to come to me, they can? No! Not anymore…ouch…I don’t like this. God will be our guide…even unto death. This death is not a heart stops beating, throw her in the coffin death…for me this verse is talking about my flesh dying to the Holy Spirit. I need to stop being afraid. He will guide me to the death of my flesh and to the revelation and power of the Holy Spirit. I have to move beyond what’s comfortable. That sounds so cliché and in truth…I’ve always felt like I’ve done that, but there are still areas I’m afraid to go. I need to constantly be aware that God is my God not just forever, but wherever. He will guide…as that guide, He will protect, He will comfort and He will be glorified. Sometimes I wonder if I’ve ever given Him the opportunities He’s desired. Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thank God…I am not confined to what I am capable of…Bless the Lord Oh My Soul, for He hath redeemed me and I am a new creature. Lord, help me recognize the flesh that so desires to creep from below my new feet and do the work that only you can do.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Made as a Signet
Daily Reading: Haggai
Haggai 2:19 “Is the seed yet in the barn? Yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.”
Haggai 2:23 “In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.”
The first verse here stood out to me because of it’s promise. From this day will I bless you. Maybe it doesn’t look like anything is happening, maybe the trees and the vine are still bare but it takes time to produce fruit but when it comes you will be amazed at the abundance. That’s not exactly what it says but that’s the picture I get from reading it. Don’t be discouraged by what you see...blessing is not dependant on what your imagination is capable of…God can make son’s from rocks…He can make something from nothing and He can make blessings out of despair.
In the second verse His words to Zerubbabel are so inspiring…I wish to hear Him speak to me in such a way. I will make thee as a signet. A signet, if I’m not mistaken is like a signature stamp. A signet ring had a mark that when pressed in wax of some sort left a seal and an impression that let the recipient know it was from the owner of the seal or the ring. Rings and stamps like this were carefully guarded and if one were stolen it was like having your identity stolen. God was giving Zerubbabel the honor of being a seal with His own signature. His words, his actions, his service and comfort were all so approved that God was willing to put His name on it. How well Zerubbabel must have known God to have been so recognized. The verse calls him a servant in previous verses he is mentioned as the governor a position he must have taken very seriously. As I’m typing this I am realizing that just as Zerubbabel was chosen and given this honor, so are we in that we are given the opportunity to be in Christ, who when on earth said if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. Christ was a signet of God Himself. His death brought us this great chance to likewise wear the seal that signifies we belong to God. Our words, our actions, our service and comfort are given the approval of God’s workmanship. We are made as a signet just as Zerubbabel and just as God said to him long ago…he says to us…I have chosen thee. What honor we take for granted.
Haggai 2:19 “Is the seed yet in the barn? Yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.”
Haggai 2:23 “In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.”
The first verse here stood out to me because of it’s promise. From this day will I bless you. Maybe it doesn’t look like anything is happening, maybe the trees and the vine are still bare but it takes time to produce fruit but when it comes you will be amazed at the abundance. That’s not exactly what it says but that’s the picture I get from reading it. Don’t be discouraged by what you see...blessing is not dependant on what your imagination is capable of…God can make son’s from rocks…He can make something from nothing and He can make blessings out of despair.
In the second verse His words to Zerubbabel are so inspiring…I wish to hear Him speak to me in such a way. I will make thee as a signet. A signet, if I’m not mistaken is like a signature stamp. A signet ring had a mark that when pressed in wax of some sort left a seal and an impression that let the recipient know it was from the owner of the seal or the ring. Rings and stamps like this were carefully guarded and if one were stolen it was like having your identity stolen. God was giving Zerubbabel the honor of being a seal with His own signature. His words, his actions, his service and comfort were all so approved that God was willing to put His name on it. How well Zerubbabel must have known God to have been so recognized. The verse calls him a servant in previous verses he is mentioned as the governor a position he must have taken very seriously. As I’m typing this I am realizing that just as Zerubbabel was chosen and given this honor, so are we in that we are given the opportunity to be in Christ, who when on earth said if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. Christ was a signet of God Himself. His death brought us this great chance to likewise wear the seal that signifies we belong to God. Our words, our actions, our service and comfort are given the approval of God’s workmanship. We are made as a signet just as Zerubbabel and just as God said to him long ago…he says to us…I have chosen thee. What honor we take for granted.
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
The Just And The Unjust
Daily Reading: Zephaniah 3
Zephaniah 3:5 “The just Lord is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.”
Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”
These verses are prophetic and are directed toward Jerusalem mainly. They are talking of times I am not familiar with and happenings I do not understand. However, knowing that my God is the same yesterday, today and forever, I can trust that these words are true for the world as I know it. What struck me in verse 5 was the last line…the unjust knoweth no shame. God faithfully brings truth, he shows what is right and what is wrong and does not quit in his attempts to correct and give light to better things. Yet, the unjust refuse to change. It is not true that they are blind…they can see the unfailing hand of God but they are not ashamed. This makes me think of Adam and Eve before the fall. They were naked and they were not ashamed. At that point man was unashamed because of his innocence. In this case man is unashamed because of his humanism. He took the lie that Satan gave to Adam and Eve a step further and believed that not only would he be like God if he sinned…but that he could be god himself. An unjust man can only be unjust if he believes himself to be above the truth that God faithfully reveals. He sees himself as greater than the law of God and unable to be affected by the judgment of God. His salvation is in himself and his own abilities. His freedom is limited to his own power to satisfy himself. There is also a scripture that comes to mind from Habakkuk that says the just shall live by his faith. Would it be wrong to say that if the unjust know no shame, that the just do know shame? I don’t think so. To know shame is to know your own faults and fallibility. To know what sin is and to know the punishment deserved for it. Shame comes with the acknowledgement of your own weakness…this is why living by faith is so important. To live by faith is to live a step beyond your shame. Understanding your weakness and then acknowledging the greatness of God. Yes, I have been wrong but I am made right in the presence of God. I am corrected, changed and even honored by my place in Christ who is seated at the right hand of the Father. The just have to live by faith…or they would die in shame. I love it when the Old Testament preaches Grace. I am thinking that a study on being just would be interesting after looking at these scriptures.
Verse 17 is just beautiful in its description of the love of God our Father toward His children. I love verses that talk about God singing over us. What must that sound like? I think it happens all the time. He sings over us…we often hear about the angels singing and the choirs of heaven but does He constantly join in? Is there a hush before He begins and then the rest of heaven joins in? When we sing in church, does he sing our songs? Wouldn’t it be awesome to get to heaven and hear God singing a song that you wrote? Can anyone hear anything else while He is singing and does He sing over us individually just at times that we need or deserve it? Are His songs specific to circumstances or emotions or are they love songs from the heart of God? I cannot wait to hear God sing.
Zephaniah 3:5 “The just Lord is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.”
Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”
These verses are prophetic and are directed toward Jerusalem mainly. They are talking of times I am not familiar with and happenings I do not understand. However, knowing that my God is the same yesterday, today and forever, I can trust that these words are true for the world as I know it. What struck me in verse 5 was the last line…the unjust knoweth no shame. God faithfully brings truth, he shows what is right and what is wrong and does not quit in his attempts to correct and give light to better things. Yet, the unjust refuse to change. It is not true that they are blind…they can see the unfailing hand of God but they are not ashamed. This makes me think of Adam and Eve before the fall. They were naked and they were not ashamed. At that point man was unashamed because of his innocence. In this case man is unashamed because of his humanism. He took the lie that Satan gave to Adam and Eve a step further and believed that not only would he be like God if he sinned…but that he could be god himself. An unjust man can only be unjust if he believes himself to be above the truth that God faithfully reveals. He sees himself as greater than the law of God and unable to be affected by the judgment of God. His salvation is in himself and his own abilities. His freedom is limited to his own power to satisfy himself. There is also a scripture that comes to mind from Habakkuk that says the just shall live by his faith. Would it be wrong to say that if the unjust know no shame, that the just do know shame? I don’t think so. To know shame is to know your own faults and fallibility. To know what sin is and to know the punishment deserved for it. Shame comes with the acknowledgement of your own weakness…this is why living by faith is so important. To live by faith is to live a step beyond your shame. Understanding your weakness and then acknowledging the greatness of God. Yes, I have been wrong but I am made right in the presence of God. I am corrected, changed and even honored by my place in Christ who is seated at the right hand of the Father. The just have to live by faith…or they would die in shame. I love it when the Old Testament preaches Grace. I am thinking that a study on being just would be interesting after looking at these scriptures.
Verse 17 is just beautiful in its description of the love of God our Father toward His children. I love verses that talk about God singing over us. What must that sound like? I think it happens all the time. He sings over us…we often hear about the angels singing and the choirs of heaven but does He constantly join in? Is there a hush before He begins and then the rest of heaven joins in? When we sing in church, does he sing our songs? Wouldn’t it be awesome to get to heaven and hear God singing a song that you wrote? Can anyone hear anything else while He is singing and does He sing over us individually just at times that we need or deserve it? Are His songs specific to circumstances or emotions or are they love songs from the heart of God? I cannot wait to hear God sing.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Tried by the Word
Daily Reading: Zephaniah 1&2, Psalm 15, 45, 75, 105
Psalm 45:10&11 “Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house; (11) So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.”
As much as we forget our own people and our father’s house we will find the open arms of a waiting Savior. The king greatly desires our beauty. We are beautiful…regardless of what we think, regardless of how we feel…we are greatly desired. Worship thou Him.
Psalm 105:17-21 “He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: (18) Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: (19) Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him. (20) The king sent and loosed him: even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. (21) He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:”
Poor Joseph was used of God, and glorified in the end, but not without much trial, much waiting and much pain. What stuck out to me in reading these verses was the wording in verse 19. It says “until the time that his word came.” When I read it I read it to say until the time that Joseph’s word came. I could be wrong on that but I think for the sake of learning something here I will go with my first impression. God has a word for each of us, a time, a season and a call. He wasn’t making Joseph suffer to teach him a lesson but he was allowing him to suffer until the right time for His word to go forth. He had a task that needed doing. Joseph had the ability, or rather the heart, to do it. The word of the Lord tried him it says. I noticed that it doesn’t say the waiting tried him, or the pain tried him. It doesn’t say that the prison tried him. It says the Word tried him. I think we are often confused and believe that our sufferings are the trials that cause us to better ourselves. It is true that suffering provides us opportunity to learn and grow but the growth itself always comes from the Word. Our healing, our righteousness, our effectiveness, our benefit is not from the trial…it is from the Word. The Word came at the proper time and tried his strength. The Word is so incredible. I’m having trouble putting into words what I’m getting out of this. The Word is so real and so alive…it is that force that causes us to stand or shrink back. When the Word tried Joseph, I believe it was a simple question of asking him if he was ready. Are you the man that I need for the job? Joseph had used his time wisely and though he could have allowed himself to be bitter he waited faithfully for the trying of the Word. He became not only a free man, but a man who changed history. If he had not been ready…if he had been found wanting…his word would have gone elsewhere. Oh to be found ready when my Word comes. Let me be mindful Lord of the Word’s searching me as I search for you.
Psalm 45:10&11 “Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house; (11) So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.”
As much as we forget our own people and our father’s house we will find the open arms of a waiting Savior. The king greatly desires our beauty. We are beautiful…regardless of what we think, regardless of how we feel…we are greatly desired. Worship thou Him.
Psalm 105:17-21 “He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: (18) Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: (19) Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him. (20) The king sent and loosed him: even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. (21) He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:”
Poor Joseph was used of God, and glorified in the end, but not without much trial, much waiting and much pain. What stuck out to me in reading these verses was the wording in verse 19. It says “until the time that his word came.” When I read it I read it to say until the time that Joseph’s word came. I could be wrong on that but I think for the sake of learning something here I will go with my first impression. God has a word for each of us, a time, a season and a call. He wasn’t making Joseph suffer to teach him a lesson but he was allowing him to suffer until the right time for His word to go forth. He had a task that needed doing. Joseph had the ability, or rather the heart, to do it. The word of the Lord tried him it says. I noticed that it doesn’t say the waiting tried him, or the pain tried him. It doesn’t say that the prison tried him. It says the Word tried him. I think we are often confused and believe that our sufferings are the trials that cause us to better ourselves. It is true that suffering provides us opportunity to learn and grow but the growth itself always comes from the Word. Our healing, our righteousness, our effectiveness, our benefit is not from the trial…it is from the Word. The Word came at the proper time and tried his strength. The Word is so incredible. I’m having trouble putting into words what I’m getting out of this. The Word is so real and so alive…it is that force that causes us to stand or shrink back. When the Word tried Joseph, I believe it was a simple question of asking him if he was ready. Are you the man that I need for the job? Joseph had used his time wisely and though he could have allowed himself to be bitter he waited faithfully for the trying of the Word. He became not only a free man, but a man who changed history. If he had not been ready…if he had been found wanting…his word would have gone elsewhere. Oh to be found ready when my Word comes. Let me be mindful Lord of the Word’s searching me as I search for you.
Monday, February 14, 2005
Stand By Night
Daily Reading: Habakkuk, Psalm 14, 44, 74, 104, 134, Proverbs 14
Psalm 134 “Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD. (2)Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. (3) The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion."
The book of Habakkuk and the first three chapters I read in Psalms began almost exactly the same. A cry for help, a question addressed to God and a plea for His compassion. “How long?” The enemy is overtaking, the powers of evil are crushing and the promise you gave is still eluding me…How long until you save me? How long until you prove that my faith has been well placed? How long before you show the enemy how little he is?
I read on to see if there were instructions on how to act in those times of waiting. I know basically how to act, I just wanted to see if there were some specific thing that the Psalmist might mention. Psalm 134 brought something to mind that I never noticed before. “which by stand night in the house of the Lord.” I’ve known this verse since I was a child. We used to sing it in church when I was young. I thought before that it was odd that they were standing by night in the house of the Lord but never considered it too deeply. This just confirms what I already knew. Night often represents dark and hard times. Watchmen who wait for the morning are looking for a new day…a better tomorrow…a beginning and a consistency that God shows in His faithful rising sun. Everyday…the sun rises…we don’t have to wish for it, we don’t have to pray for it, it just rises…every morning. We praise God in those beginnings, in those fresh new days with His warmth full in our face. These servants were blessing the Lord as they stood by night. Praise Him no matter what…lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise Him for who He is. Praise Him for all the faithful things that cannot be destroyed. Praise Him that every night brings a morning and that every drop of rain brings life to a dry earth. Praise Him that Heaven is faithfully waiting to accept the humble soul and that provision is made to guarantee our home to come. Praise the Lord, Bless His Name and forget not all His benefits. He has not forgotten…He is always coming for His own.
Psalm 134 “Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD. (2)Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. (3) The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion."
The book of Habakkuk and the first three chapters I read in Psalms began almost exactly the same. A cry for help, a question addressed to God and a plea for His compassion. “How long?” The enemy is overtaking, the powers of evil are crushing and the promise you gave is still eluding me…How long until you save me? How long until you prove that my faith has been well placed? How long before you show the enemy how little he is?
I read on to see if there were instructions on how to act in those times of waiting. I know basically how to act, I just wanted to see if there were some specific thing that the Psalmist might mention. Psalm 134 brought something to mind that I never noticed before. “which by stand night in the house of the Lord.” I’ve known this verse since I was a child. We used to sing it in church when I was young. I thought before that it was odd that they were standing by night in the house of the Lord but never considered it too deeply. This just confirms what I already knew. Night often represents dark and hard times. Watchmen who wait for the morning are looking for a new day…a better tomorrow…a beginning and a consistency that God shows in His faithful rising sun. Everyday…the sun rises…we don’t have to wish for it, we don’t have to pray for it, it just rises…every morning. We praise God in those beginnings, in those fresh new days with His warmth full in our face. These servants were blessing the Lord as they stood by night. Praise Him no matter what…lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise Him for who He is. Praise Him for all the faithful things that cannot be destroyed. Praise Him that every night brings a morning and that every drop of rain brings life to a dry earth. Praise Him that Heaven is faithfully waiting to accept the humble soul and that provision is made to guarantee our home to come. Praise the Lord, Bless His Name and forget not all His benefits. He has not forgotten…He is always coming for His own.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Led by Light and Truth
Daily Reading: Nahum, Psalm 13, 43
Psalm 43:3 “O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.”
Everyday it is necessary to seek this light and this truth. To be led by truth that is alive and real. Light and truth, the real light and the real truth will always lead me unto the tabernacle of God. If I am led elsewhere I am following falsehood.
Psalm 43:3 “O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.”
Everyday it is necessary to seek this light and this truth. To be led by truth that is alive and real. Light and truth, the real light and the real truth will always lead me unto the tabernacle of God. If I am led elsewhere I am following falsehood.
Friday, February 11, 2005
Continual Hope
Daily Reading: Micah 7, Psalm 11, 41, 71, 101, 141, Proverbs 11
Psalm 11 “In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? (2) For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. (3) If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (4) The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. (5) The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. (6) Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. (7) For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.”
Psalm 71:14-16 “But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. (15) My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. (16) I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.”
Psalm 71:23&24 “My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee: and my soul, which thou hast redeemed. (24) My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.”
It seems a long time that we have sought God concerning our situation with our houses. I have come and gone from the haven of faith but ultimately I hold fast to the instructions we were given upon entering this arrangement. Buy the house. That’s all we knew…and that’s what we did, never expecting 7 months to pass before selling our old house. It is in fact still sitting empty…waiting for buyers to come and find its merit. I love that house. I cannot understand why it hasn’t sold unless it is on account of the unseemly practices of some of the neighbors. There are two homes very near ours that sport old cars in the yard. This is not only against the law it is unsightly and aggravating. I will not blame the cars completely, there have been a few things that we left undone at the house.
Regardless…I feel that God simply wants us to rejoice. To look at Him and see that beyond all the circumstance we are still surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who see the heart of our conviction and cheer on our pursuit of Christ and all His glory. We have not lost our hope…it seems invisible at times but we have not built on sand…as the hymn so aptly states…”my hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus name.” If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in His holy temple. The Lord is on His throne…He has not forgotten and He has not missed our cry for help. He will deliver! For the Lord loveth righteousness.
Psalm 11 “In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? (2) For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. (3) If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (4) The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. (5) The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. (6) Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. (7) For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.”
Psalm 71:14-16 “But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. (15) My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. (16) I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.”
Psalm 71:23&24 “My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee: and my soul, which thou hast redeemed. (24) My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.”
It seems a long time that we have sought God concerning our situation with our houses. I have come and gone from the haven of faith but ultimately I hold fast to the instructions we were given upon entering this arrangement. Buy the house. That’s all we knew…and that’s what we did, never expecting 7 months to pass before selling our old house. It is in fact still sitting empty…waiting for buyers to come and find its merit. I love that house. I cannot understand why it hasn’t sold unless it is on account of the unseemly practices of some of the neighbors. There are two homes very near ours that sport old cars in the yard. This is not only against the law it is unsightly and aggravating. I will not blame the cars completely, there have been a few things that we left undone at the house.
Regardless…I feel that God simply wants us to rejoice. To look at Him and see that beyond all the circumstance we are still surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who see the heart of our conviction and cheer on our pursuit of Christ and all His glory. We have not lost our hope…it seems invisible at times but we have not built on sand…as the hymn so aptly states…”my hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus name.” If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in His holy temple. The Lord is on His throne…He has not forgotten and He has not missed our cry for help. He will deliver! For the Lord loveth righteousness.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Micah's Story
Daily Reading: Micah 4-6
Micah 4:1-4 “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. (2) And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (3) And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (4) But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.”
I have never enjoyed the prophetic books much because I don’t always understand them, or know what and when they are supposed to be talking about. This passage however bring such a peaceful picture to mind I cannot help but enjoy it. “people shall flow unto it.” That’s so neat. To think of people just streaming to learn more of the awesome love of God. To think that if we could live under the law that comes forth of Zion we would have no fear. His Law is Love.
Micah 4:1-4 “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. (2) And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (3) And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (4) But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.”
I have never enjoyed the prophetic books much because I don’t always understand them, or know what and when they are supposed to be talking about. This passage however bring such a peaceful picture to mind I cannot help but enjoy it. “people shall flow unto it.” That’s so neat. To think of people just streaming to learn more of the awesome love of God. To think that if we could live under the law that comes forth of Zion we would have no fear. His Law is Love.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
My Heart Shall Live
Daily Reading: Micah 3, Psalm 9, 39, 69, 99, 129, Proverbs 9
Psalm 69:30-36 “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. (31) This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. (32) The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God. (33) For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners. (34) Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and everything that moveth therein. (35) For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession. (36) The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.”
Your heart shall live that seek God. Some days it feels that my heart cannot survive. I am heavy with melancholy and weak from searching for what is wrong. How simple the answer is that He gives here. Do not seek to find what is wrong…seek God. Allow Him to show you first life and love and then correction if needed. How often have I come to God in tears asking Him what is wrong with me. Why is there pain and no apparent cause, why is there sadness and no apparent reason? Stop looking for something to cry about and start looking at God’s goodness. The pain and the sadness will reveal themselves as the deception that they are. God produces light that scans the deepest corners of our hearts and shows us the lies that Satan has hid there. Praise the name of God with a song and magnify Him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord. The promises of God are true no matter how I feel. The Word of God is still alive no matter how things look. My heart shall live if I seek God.
Psalm 129:2 “Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.”
How often have I been given rise to complain? I no more than anyone else, but plenty of pain is the lot of all of us here. There is a line however, that I will not allow the enemy to cross. He cannot prevail. No matter how deep the water, I cannot drown. No matter how hot the fire, I cannot burn. I may be slowed in my progress, I may be tempted, tortured and shamed, but I am not defeated and I will not cower under the weight of a heavy handed lie. Praise shall be my first defense and the Word of God my weapon. I am more than a conqueror in the Name of Jesus Christ my Lord. He it is who has completed this battle in my place and I now rest in the truth of His victory and the peace of His glory. I am risen with Him, I am fully alive in Him and I am seated with Him at the right hand of the Father. The folly of ill attempts on my resolve is proven when I seek the face of God. My heart shall live because I seek God. My soul shall rejoice because I find Him.
Psalm 69:30-36 “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. (31) This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. (32) The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God. (33) For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners. (34) Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and everything that moveth therein. (35) For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession. (36) The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.”
Your heart shall live that seek God. Some days it feels that my heart cannot survive. I am heavy with melancholy and weak from searching for what is wrong. How simple the answer is that He gives here. Do not seek to find what is wrong…seek God. Allow Him to show you first life and love and then correction if needed. How often have I come to God in tears asking Him what is wrong with me. Why is there pain and no apparent cause, why is there sadness and no apparent reason? Stop looking for something to cry about and start looking at God’s goodness. The pain and the sadness will reveal themselves as the deception that they are. God produces light that scans the deepest corners of our hearts and shows us the lies that Satan has hid there. Praise the name of God with a song and magnify Him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord. The promises of God are true no matter how I feel. The Word of God is still alive no matter how things look. My heart shall live if I seek God.
Psalm 129:2 “Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.”
How often have I been given rise to complain? I no more than anyone else, but plenty of pain is the lot of all of us here. There is a line however, that I will not allow the enemy to cross. He cannot prevail. No matter how deep the water, I cannot drown. No matter how hot the fire, I cannot burn. I may be slowed in my progress, I may be tempted, tortured and shamed, but I am not defeated and I will not cower under the weight of a heavy handed lie. Praise shall be my first defense and the Word of God my weapon. I am more than a conqueror in the Name of Jesus Christ my Lord. He it is who has completed this battle in my place and I now rest in the truth of His victory and the peace of His glory. I am risen with Him, I am fully alive in Him and I am seated with Him at the right hand of the Father. The folly of ill attempts on my resolve is proven when I seek the face of God. My heart shall live because I seek God. My soul shall rejoice because I find Him.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Delighting in Meekness
Daily Reading: Micah 1-2, Psalm 7, Psalm 37
Psalm 37:3-5 “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. (4) Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (5) Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
There is so much said in this chapter it is too much to regurgitate here. I wanted to capture a bit of it to point out it’s main message which is so simple but obviously important as it is repeated and said in multiple ways verse after verse. Trust, rest, delight Commit thy way, & wait patiently on the Lord. This is stressed along with don’t fret, depart from evil, cease from anger and forsake wrath. David wrote these things and expresses his confidence in the Lords ability to do justice. It is a difficult thing to trust in God when the devil has you backed into a corner. How simple it sounds here but if we internalize these words and really apply them to everyday things…it’s a challenge that few are up to.
Personally I find it hard not to fret, not to complain and question when our Sunday school class doesn’t show up for class, for events, or let us know that they can’t make it. I find it hard not to be angry when I have sacrificed for people who aren’t honest and try to avoid me. Week after week, we take time to study, make phone-calls and attempt to meet the needs of people who aren’t willing to answer simple questions and I wonder why. But these words of David’s would challenge me…not them. They challenge me to let God be the one who provides, who feeds, grants desires and brings to pass the calling I’ve tried to answer. I have to remind myself that when God calls His children into service, He is not asking us to be little gods. He simply wants us to stand at attention until given specific tasks. We are not to worry about the outcome or fret about the procedure. Just do what I say…just be obedient…just worship…just rest…just trust He orders. We are left wondering, but not alone.
Psalm 37:11 “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”
What does it mean to be meek?
meek adj. meek·er, meek·est
1. Showing patience and humility; gentle.
2. Easily imposed on; submissive.
meek
adj 1: humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness; "meek and self-effacing" [syn: mild, modest] 2: very docile; "tame obedience"; "meek as a mouse"- Langston Hughes [syn: tame] 3: evidencing little spirit or courage; overly submissive or compliant; "compliant and anxious to suit his opinions of those of others"; "a fine fiery blast against meek conformity"- Orville Prescott; "she looked meek but had the heart of a lion"; "was submissive and subservient" [syn: compliant, spiritless]
This doesn’t all sound like something desirable. As I’m reading these words though I think, maybe it is accurate. Maybe being meek simply means to hand over all I am to God. Maybe being spiritless isn’t so bad. Maybe that just means my spirit is completely and totally surrendered to God’s. Isn’t that what we all need to be? Jesus Himself did nothing without the Father’s permission or order. Nothing! It really says Nothing. That’s meekness. Complete submission, complete surrender. That doesn’t mean He was boring. I think that’s what we get confused. We think that if we are meek and submissive we end up being a doormat. No…we aren’t submissive to other people in this verse…we are submissive to God, to His ways, His personality and His passion. We celebrate the Passion of Christ, but as the meek Son of God…His passion was God’s Passion. If we are meek toward God’s ways and His authority…we will have Passion that causes worlds to change…The meek shall inherit the earth. Not the water and the dirt of it, the rule of it, the changing of it, the promise and potential of all men. We are children of a King…so seldom do we live as the princes and princesses that we are.
The last part of verse 11 says that the meek will delight themselves in the abundance of peace. I can’t even picture that. Delighting in the abundance of peace must be a little like waking up in heaven. Yet, it is available now…we can live in an abundance of peace. No fear, no fumbling, no doubt, no shame…completely rested and at ease about today and tomorrow and all that is to come. Rest! It’s so hard to imagine not worrying about what I need to do, yet that is His command. Rest!
Psalm 37:3-5 “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. (4) Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (5) Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
There is so much said in this chapter it is too much to regurgitate here. I wanted to capture a bit of it to point out it’s main message which is so simple but obviously important as it is repeated and said in multiple ways verse after verse. Trust, rest, delight Commit thy way, & wait patiently on the Lord. This is stressed along with don’t fret, depart from evil, cease from anger and forsake wrath. David wrote these things and expresses his confidence in the Lords ability to do justice. It is a difficult thing to trust in God when the devil has you backed into a corner. How simple it sounds here but if we internalize these words and really apply them to everyday things…it’s a challenge that few are up to.
Personally I find it hard not to fret, not to complain and question when our Sunday school class doesn’t show up for class, for events, or let us know that they can’t make it. I find it hard not to be angry when I have sacrificed for people who aren’t honest and try to avoid me. Week after week, we take time to study, make phone-calls and attempt to meet the needs of people who aren’t willing to answer simple questions and I wonder why. But these words of David’s would challenge me…not them. They challenge me to let God be the one who provides, who feeds, grants desires and brings to pass the calling I’ve tried to answer. I have to remind myself that when God calls His children into service, He is not asking us to be little gods. He simply wants us to stand at attention until given specific tasks. We are not to worry about the outcome or fret about the procedure. Just do what I say…just be obedient…just worship…just rest…just trust He orders. We are left wondering, but not alone.
Psalm 37:11 “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”
What does it mean to be meek?
meek adj. meek·er, meek·est
1. Showing patience and humility; gentle.
2. Easily imposed on; submissive.
meek
adj 1: humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness; "meek and self-effacing" [syn: mild, modest] 2: very docile; "tame obedience"; "meek as a mouse"- Langston Hughes [syn: tame] 3: evidencing little spirit or courage; overly submissive or compliant; "compliant and anxious to suit his opinions of those of others"; "a fine fiery blast against meek conformity"- Orville Prescott; "she looked meek but had the heart of a lion"; "was submissive and subservient" [syn: compliant, spiritless]
This doesn’t all sound like something desirable. As I’m reading these words though I think, maybe it is accurate. Maybe being meek simply means to hand over all I am to God. Maybe being spiritless isn’t so bad. Maybe that just means my spirit is completely and totally surrendered to God’s. Isn’t that what we all need to be? Jesus Himself did nothing without the Father’s permission or order. Nothing! It really says Nothing. That’s meekness. Complete submission, complete surrender. That doesn’t mean He was boring. I think that’s what we get confused. We think that if we are meek and submissive we end up being a doormat. No…we aren’t submissive to other people in this verse…we are submissive to God, to His ways, His personality and His passion. We celebrate the Passion of Christ, but as the meek Son of God…His passion was God’s Passion. If we are meek toward God’s ways and His authority…we will have Passion that causes worlds to change…The meek shall inherit the earth. Not the water and the dirt of it, the rule of it, the changing of it, the promise and potential of all men. We are children of a King…so seldom do we live as the princes and princesses that we are.
The last part of verse 11 says that the meek will delight themselves in the abundance of peace. I can’t even picture that. Delighting in the abundance of peace must be a little like waking up in heaven. Yet, it is available now…we can live in an abundance of peace. No fear, no fumbling, no doubt, no shame…completely rested and at ease about today and tomorrow and all that is to come. Rest! It’s so hard to imagine not worrying about what I need to do, yet that is His command. Rest!
Saturday, February 05, 2005
The Crooked Shall Be Made Straight
Daily Reading: Concordance references for “Crooked”
Isaiah 40:4 “Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:”
Isaiah 42:13-16 “The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. (14) I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. (15) I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. (16) And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them and not forsake them.”
Luke 3:5-17 “Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; (6) And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. (7) Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (8) Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. (9) And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (10) And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? (11) He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. (12) Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? (13) And he said unto them, exact no more than that which is appointed you. (14) And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, Neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. (15) And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ or not; (16) John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: (17) Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.”
This is so interesting to me. I have been experiencing back pain and I have been wondering why now? I don’t want to turn every little circumstance into a spiritual warm fuzzy, but it seems rather ironic that the weekend that I plan to finally be obedient and get baptized, my back is hurting to the point of not being able to stand up straight. I have already determined that I will go ahead and be baptized regardless of how much it hurts. I am not going to wait another month and find some new excuse not to do it. I’ve already told people I am doing it and it’s going to happen.
Last night I looked in the mirror and realized the pain is quite legitimate in that I am visibly crooked. My upper body is leaning obviously to the left. It looks almost as bad as it feels. After doing all the practical things I know to do for myself I called one of the elders and hopefully I can get over there this afternoon to have him pray for me.
When I saw how crooked I am I immediately thought of the verse that talks about making the crooked straight. I’ve always imagined that to mean something relating more to crooked paths but it has incessantly played in my head so I looked it up this morning and the scriptures above are what I found. It never says specifically what is crooked but I would still say that the context is more likely interpreted to mean pathways. This is still an analogy and I can still claim what the Bible says. However when I got to the scripture in Luke I was surprised to find that it was a baptism service that instigated John the Baptist to quote Isaiah. Maybe this is more about Baptism than I thought. I noticed that as he is speaking to the people the scripture mentions three groups: the children of Abraham, the publicans, and the soldiers. I am quite sure there is a sermon in this somewhere, but I don’t know what each of these groups represents entirely. I will say that of all of them I would probably fit into the first one. I am not Jewish but I have been grafted into the vine nearly as long as I can remember. I am going into this baptism with a hard heart. I honestly don’t want to do it. I’m embarrassed and I find it hard to admit that there is any reason for me to do it other than the fact that my pastor said I should. That’s not the right attitude. My pride needs to be destroyed before I go through with this. I need to see that God wants this for me. That I have been disobedient in not doing it before and that I am not too righteous to be seen as immature in the eyes of the rest of my church. I need to repent of my arrogance and find joy in the straight path that I will find on the other side of this task. John baptized with water, but one mightier than he came and wishes so badly to baptize believers in the Holy Ghost and fire. Even so, Lord Jesus Come!
Isaiah 40:4 “Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:”
Isaiah 42:13-16 “The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. (14) I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. (15) I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. (16) And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them and not forsake them.”
Luke 3:5-17 “Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; (6) And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. (7) Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (8) Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. (9) And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (10) And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? (11) He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. (12) Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? (13) And he said unto them, exact no more than that which is appointed you. (14) And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, Neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. (15) And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ or not; (16) John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: (17) Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.”
This is so interesting to me. I have been experiencing back pain and I have been wondering why now? I don’t want to turn every little circumstance into a spiritual warm fuzzy, but it seems rather ironic that the weekend that I plan to finally be obedient and get baptized, my back is hurting to the point of not being able to stand up straight. I have already determined that I will go ahead and be baptized regardless of how much it hurts. I am not going to wait another month and find some new excuse not to do it. I’ve already told people I am doing it and it’s going to happen.
Last night I looked in the mirror and realized the pain is quite legitimate in that I am visibly crooked. My upper body is leaning obviously to the left. It looks almost as bad as it feels. After doing all the practical things I know to do for myself I called one of the elders and hopefully I can get over there this afternoon to have him pray for me.
When I saw how crooked I am I immediately thought of the verse that talks about making the crooked straight. I’ve always imagined that to mean something relating more to crooked paths but it has incessantly played in my head so I looked it up this morning and the scriptures above are what I found. It never says specifically what is crooked but I would still say that the context is more likely interpreted to mean pathways. This is still an analogy and I can still claim what the Bible says. However when I got to the scripture in Luke I was surprised to find that it was a baptism service that instigated John the Baptist to quote Isaiah. Maybe this is more about Baptism than I thought. I noticed that as he is speaking to the people the scripture mentions three groups: the children of Abraham, the publicans, and the soldiers. I am quite sure there is a sermon in this somewhere, but I don’t know what each of these groups represents entirely. I will say that of all of them I would probably fit into the first one. I am not Jewish but I have been grafted into the vine nearly as long as I can remember. I am going into this baptism with a hard heart. I honestly don’t want to do it. I’m embarrassed and I find it hard to admit that there is any reason for me to do it other than the fact that my pastor said I should. That’s not the right attitude. My pride needs to be destroyed before I go through with this. I need to see that God wants this for me. That I have been disobedient in not doing it before and that I am not too righteous to be seen as immature in the eyes of the rest of my church. I need to repent of my arrogance and find joy in the straight path that I will find on the other side of this task. John baptized with water, but one mightier than he came and wishes so badly to baptize believers in the Holy Ghost and fire. Even so, Lord Jesus Come!
Friday, February 04, 2005
Discontinued Ambition
Daily Reading: Jonah 2-4
Jonah 4:4 “Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?”
God asks funny questions. I just have to wonder if Jonah heard the sarcasm in His voice when God asked him this. Do you really think you should be angry? I can totally see Jonah pouting and taking his ball and bat and sitting in the bleachers to wait for the game to break up. Surely God wasn’t going to let these people get away with the way they’ve acted. Surely God wasn’t going to make him look like a fool. After all he’d been through and now God wasn’t coming through on His end of the deal. Even from the booth he made for himself which must have given him a good view of the city his only perspective was from narrow vision. Narrow and prideful was his mind, as he waited for Nineveh to reap it’s reward. But God gave mercy instead of destruction and Jonah acted the part of the prodigal’s brother.
Once again I am reminded that a calling does not require that I know all the details or the avenue that God wishes to work. It only requires my obedience. Do now what I know to do and allow God to work in any way He chooses. I can rejoice in any outcome if I am focused on pleasing God and not myself. I can rejoice whether my obedience led me into fire or flood. I can rejoice whether my obedience leads me into peaceful valleys where no one but God sees me being obedient, or onto peaks of excitement where I am cheered on by hosts of saints. It is not the how…that should drive me to obedience, it is the Who!
Oh, bless the Lord, ye saints and praise Him in His holy temple. I want to get to the point where I discontinue all ambition save the glory of a glimpse of Christ.
Jonah 4:4 “Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?”
God asks funny questions. I just have to wonder if Jonah heard the sarcasm in His voice when God asked him this. Do you really think you should be angry? I can totally see Jonah pouting and taking his ball and bat and sitting in the bleachers to wait for the game to break up. Surely God wasn’t going to let these people get away with the way they’ve acted. Surely God wasn’t going to make him look like a fool. After all he’d been through and now God wasn’t coming through on His end of the deal. Even from the booth he made for himself which must have given him a good view of the city his only perspective was from narrow vision. Narrow and prideful was his mind, as he waited for Nineveh to reap it’s reward. But God gave mercy instead of destruction and Jonah acted the part of the prodigal’s brother.
Once again I am reminded that a calling does not require that I know all the details or the avenue that God wishes to work. It only requires my obedience. Do now what I know to do and allow God to work in any way He chooses. I can rejoice in any outcome if I am focused on pleasing God and not myself. I can rejoice whether my obedience led me into fire or flood. I can rejoice whether my obedience leads me into peaceful valleys where no one but God sees me being obedient, or onto peaks of excitement where I am cheered on by hosts of saints. It is not the how…that should drive me to obedience, it is the Who!
Oh, bless the Lord, ye saints and praise Him in His holy temple. I want to get to the point where I discontinue all ambition save the glory of a glimpse of Christ.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
From the Net to the Blanket
Daily Reading: Obadiah, Psalm 1, Psalm 31
Obadiah verses 17 & 18 “But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. (18) And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the Lord has spoken it.”
I have never understood what the deal was with Esau. Jacob cheated Esau out of his blessing as the eldest son and from then on Esau was just cast out and on his own. It seems like Jacob would be the one that should be punished. Jacob did reap a lot of the lies that he sowed but still he is the one that gets all the attention from his birth to right now. Was Esau punished because he didn’t care enough? I remember even as a kid hearing the story of how Jacob bought Esau’s birthright with a bowl of soup and thinking couldn’t he make his own soup? Grab a sandwich or something, surely one bowl of soup isn’t worth your birthright. I felt sorry for him. Now I wonder if that is just a picture of his character. Maybe he just didn’t care about anything and Jacob did. Maybe he was guilty of apathy and it was just distasteful to God. I don’t know. From a bowl of soup to his descendants being devoured is a pretty long road of bad circumstances. I’d like to know more about this.
Psalm 1 “Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (2) But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (4) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. (5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. (6) For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
One of my favorite scriptures. Psalm one is so simply complete. Here is how to be blessed. Just do this and don’t do this and you’ll have it. And how blessed you’ll be! Like a tree planted by water, you’ll bear fruit and WHATEVER YOU DO WILL PROSPER! I love that. You can’t get more blessed than that. I pray that for Kris and for Owen all the time. I know that God has great things in mind for those boys.
Psalm 31:4 “Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.”
So many of the Psalms talk about the traps laid out by the enemy and how trusting in God causes you to be delivered or may even cause the enemy to fall into his own trap. This verse is one that admits…I’ve fallen into the trap. I love to see the humanity of the Psalmist. He’s triumphant and full of praise and can almost seem too good to be true at times, but every now and then you hear him weeping and confessing his inadequacies. Here in verse 4 he says…they laid this net for me and I didn’t see it. I was just walking along and I fell. And now, I can’t get out. Please God, you’re the only strength I have. Can you help me out of this mess? Then from his experiences he says in verse 24 “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” He doesn’t just say that God will pull you out of the net like He did for me. He say…He will strengthen your heart. No matter how long you’re in the net…your heart can remain strong in the Lord. No matter how deep the pit is…your heart can remain strong in the Lord. Hope in the Lord.
One thing that God is showing me is not how strong He is, but rather, how kind He is. He doesn't want to just pull me from the net, he wants to revive me. When the Psalmist says He will strengthen your heart I had to imagine how. God doesn't just pull us from danger or pain and then say...now run, get out of here before they get you again. He pulls us up, cradles us and carry us to safety. He wants us with Him. He wants to warm us by a fire, wrap a warm blanket around us and feed us with something so filling and so satisfying we'll never want to leave His side. We can snuggle up to Him and know that He will never let us go. That's the hope we can have. Hope that isn't wishful thinking, Hope that's secure in the knowledge of truth. Hope that expects good things and waits with anticipation.
Obadiah verses 17 & 18 “But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. (18) And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the Lord has spoken it.”
I have never understood what the deal was with Esau. Jacob cheated Esau out of his blessing as the eldest son and from then on Esau was just cast out and on his own. It seems like Jacob would be the one that should be punished. Jacob did reap a lot of the lies that he sowed but still he is the one that gets all the attention from his birth to right now. Was Esau punished because he didn’t care enough? I remember even as a kid hearing the story of how Jacob bought Esau’s birthright with a bowl of soup and thinking couldn’t he make his own soup? Grab a sandwich or something, surely one bowl of soup isn’t worth your birthright. I felt sorry for him. Now I wonder if that is just a picture of his character. Maybe he just didn’t care about anything and Jacob did. Maybe he was guilty of apathy and it was just distasteful to God. I don’t know. From a bowl of soup to his descendants being devoured is a pretty long road of bad circumstances. I’d like to know more about this.
Psalm 1 “Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (2) But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (4) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. (5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. (6) For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
One of my favorite scriptures. Psalm one is so simply complete. Here is how to be blessed. Just do this and don’t do this and you’ll have it. And how blessed you’ll be! Like a tree planted by water, you’ll bear fruit and WHATEVER YOU DO WILL PROSPER! I love that. You can’t get more blessed than that. I pray that for Kris and for Owen all the time. I know that God has great things in mind for those boys.
Psalm 31:4 “Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.”
So many of the Psalms talk about the traps laid out by the enemy and how trusting in God causes you to be delivered or may even cause the enemy to fall into his own trap. This verse is one that admits…I’ve fallen into the trap. I love to see the humanity of the Psalmist. He’s triumphant and full of praise and can almost seem too good to be true at times, but every now and then you hear him weeping and confessing his inadequacies. Here in verse 4 he says…they laid this net for me and I didn’t see it. I was just walking along and I fell. And now, I can’t get out. Please God, you’re the only strength I have. Can you help me out of this mess? Then from his experiences he says in verse 24 “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” He doesn’t just say that God will pull you out of the net like He did for me. He say…He will strengthen your heart. No matter how long you’re in the net…your heart can remain strong in the Lord. No matter how deep the pit is…your heart can remain strong in the Lord. Hope in the Lord.
One thing that God is showing me is not how strong He is, but rather, how kind He is. He doesn't want to just pull me from the net, he wants to revive me. When the Psalmist says He will strengthen your heart I had to imagine how. God doesn't just pull us from danger or pain and then say...now run, get out of here before they get you again. He pulls us up, cradles us and carry us to safety. He wants us with Him. He wants to warm us by a fire, wrap a warm blanket around us and feed us with something so filling and so satisfying we'll never want to leave His side. We can snuggle up to Him and know that He will never let us go. That's the hope we can have. Hope that isn't wishful thinking, Hope that's secure in the knowledge of truth. Hope that expects good things and waits with anticipation.
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