Suffering's Grace

"But by means of their suffering, He rescues those who suffer. For He gets their attention through adversity." Job 36:15

There are many ways that God gets our attention, or at least tries to. He places rainbows in the sky, paints a beautiful sunset, surprises us with some personal delight and longs for us to recognize each as a gift from His hand. Those welcomed blessings can go unnoticed and unappreciated. When these attempts fail to regain our focus, God, on occasion, uses something more disastrous to wake us from distraction and draw our thoughts to Him.

We are probably all familiar with the famous C. S. Lewis quote from his book "The Problem Of Pain": "We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." 

In a song that Christian singer Mandissa recorded, lyrics express: "Who knows how He'll get ahold of us, Get our attention to prove He is enough, He'll do and He'll use whatever He want to, To tell us 'I love you'." Yes, sometimes God's "I love you" is spoken loudest through grief and pain. There are graces that fall on us in tragedy and one of those treasures is experiencing God and knowing His tender, patient love for us.

We live in a fast-paced world with overscheduled agendas, hourly commitments, daily appointments and double-booked weekends. Pausing for meaningful time with the Lord can be pushed to a back burner when the demands before us have time constraints and others requiring us to be places and complete tasks within unrealistic deadlines. The constant chaos and chatter can need a major interruption to call us back into relationship with the Lord, and it is "by means of suffering He rescues" us, getting our "attention through adversity."

We would love for God to get our attention another way, but sadly we are often so caught up in all our doing we have neglected being, and an unexpected calamity slows us down and stops us up. I'm sure I am not the only one who has heard testimony after testimony of how the Lord used an accident, loss or diagnosis to draw a wayward heart to Him. I even guess that every Christ-follower reading this has their own example of how a hardship has revealed God's love and deepened their faith. How I would love to hear each story for the praise of His glory. Although these sudden challenges bring heartache, they also extend invitations to meet with God and experience His miraculous work in our lives.

When I say "miraculous work" I don't necessarily mean healing, although I fully am convinced that God does and can still heal. I personally believe that I have been the recipient of His divine touch on my life, but His supernatural intervention can also be evidenced through the manifestation of His power as He sustains and enables us to walk roads we had thought impossible to travel. As He provides the strength and courage to get up each day and face this new unwanted unknown, we lean heavily on Him and discover He is able, willing, strong, faithful and loving.

Christ is a Rescuer. Not only does He provide relief in the here and now, but by His life, death and resurrection He has given us an escape from an eternity of suffering, rescuing us from the consequences of our own sin. This rescue 9-1-1 is freely ours through acknowledging Christ as Saviour, admitting and confessing sin, repenting of all wrongdoing and following Jesus in obedience.

I don't know where you are in your relationship with the Lord or what it might take for God to get your attention. In the past He has used a donkey, burning bush, divided sea, earthquake, wrestling stranger and the list goes on and on. God is creative, but scripture is clear that suffering is one of His methods. If He employs a season of suffering on your life, don't question His love. He hasn't abandoned you. He is drawing you closer to Himself. We would never choose a painful road to seek Him, but He willingly chose to walk a painful road to save us.

Song quote: God Speaking; Songwriters: Ronnie C. Jr. Freeman; Capitol CMG Publishing; Universal Music Publishing Group

Presence Over Purpose

"If I have...if I have...if I have..."   Job 31:7, 9, 39

Have you ever had a friendship grow distant and you wonder the cause? Of course we blame ourselves. We must have done something that made the other person step back. We rack our brains, making every effort to recall conversations and actions that may have led to the increasing silence and dismissal.

In reading Job 31, I counted eighteen times where he expressed a form of the phrase, "if I have". Job is doing his utmost to consider any possible way he may have sinned that has now caused all the pain he is enduring. He examines each area of his life searching for a reason as to why he has been the recipient of so much sorrow. Job cannot make sense of his suffering, confident in his life of integrity, "an upright man who did not bring the catastrophe upon himself by his own special sin." (David Guzik)

Job wants to find the purpose in his pain. Do we not also do the same? We search our own hearts when unexpected calamity falls our way. Is God disciplining us for disobedience? In trying to uncover the cause, we rationalize and question motives. Is there anything that we need to confess and repent to God? If we could only discern the grounds for this grief.

In reading Kristen LaValley's book, "Even If He Doesn't", she wisely writes: "The reality is, we want our pain to count for something. We can't imagine a world in which a good and kind Creator would let us suffer for nothing. So we take our pain and dissect it and dig through the layers of dirt to try to extract some sort of design from it. Maybe He's trying to teach me patience. Maybe He's trying to teach me grace. Maybe He's allowing me to go through this so I can teach someone else. We search endlessly for meaning, because how could a good God waste our pain?

But not everything that happens in our lives is supposed to be some grand heavenly lesson. It's true that our suffering is never wasted. Our pain isn't purposeless. But we may never know why while we're here on earth. In fact, I think it's safe to assume we likely won't be given explanations for our pain. When we're obsessed with finding the purpose for everything, we're seeking comfort in the purpose rather than the comfort of Christ.

But, even if we don't know the reasons, we can know the Father. Instead of saying, 'God is trying to teach me something - I have to figure out what it is so I can learn my lesson and end my suffering,' we can say, 'I don't know whether I'm supposed to be learning something here. I'll stay open to the teaching of the Holy Spirit and trust the Lord to bring peace and healing, regardless of whether I have something to learn.'

When we stop trying to squeeze purpose from our pain, we can rest in the peace of God. His peace - the peace that 'transcends all understanding' - will hold our hearts perfectly when we don't understand.

The people of God have been asking Him 'Why?' since the beginning of creation, and they are rarely given an answer. But He gives us His peace. And this is enough." As Kristen concludes, "I might not know the reason I'm suffering, but I know God is present with me in it."

At the end of all of Job's pondering we read, "Job's words were ended." I wonder how often God is waiting for us to do just that. Our words can be many when they should be few. In order to find God in the silence of suffering we need to intentionally make the choice to quiet our thoughts and our voice and sit in stillness before Him. Instead of chasing the purpose, lets choose to rest in His presence and discover the peace He provides.

Quote: "Even If He Doesn't, What We Believe about God When Life Doesn't Make Sense"; Kristen LaValley; Tyndale Momentum; copyright 2024

Just Smile!

"When they were discouraged, I smiled at them." Job 29:24a

There is a gentleman at our church who is the most genuinely, happy guy I have ever met. It does not matter where or when you encounter him, he is always smiling! Whether in the church foyer, fulfilling his role for years as a transit driver, meeting him unexpectedly in the grocery store or shopping mall, his countenance is continually one that reflects joy. I know that as a father of three boys, there must be times of discipline and I am sure he faces disappointments like the rest of us, but he has chosen to reflect an encouraging and pleasant profile to others.

There is tremendous value in a smile. As I searched Merriam-Webster for a definition, I was both surprised and delighted to discover that it was described first as a facial expression in which the eyes brightened. A smile is not just a curve upward on the corners of our mouth. It includes other features on our face as well. When we smile, we engage more than our mouth in its making, reflecting a pleasing expression that is usually then met with a similar response in return.

I wonder if we really understand the value of a simple smile. It is so easy to do and costs nothing. Yes, sometimes a smile can be an effort when going through difficult times, but generally speaking it can be given away continually while not depleting our supply. A smile is one of the most basic forms of communication and its language is universal.

Years ago, when our schedules allowed, I used to walk with a dear friend quite often. I learned a lot from her. Every single person we passed on the sidewalk, she would smile and speak a short greeting. I can't tell you how much this impacted me. Being more of an introvert, I admit that until then I would most often just pass by another walker in silence, but her example changed my behaviour. Over the past several years I have followed her lead. I look each person in the eye, smile and speak a salutation. Even the ones who would prefer to keep their heads down and make no contact, are met with my smile and hello. Most often I receive a smile or nod in return.

In Job's response, the worth of this small gesture is mentioned. To the discouraged, a smile brightens their day. It is one of the least expensive, easiest, yet priceless gifts we can give to someone. Not only that, but smiles tend to be infectious. It is almost impossible for a smile not to be contagious. This actually then creates a ripple effect influencing others to smile too. Smiles are just so inspiring!

It has been said that smiles enrich those who receive them without impoverishing those who give. Not only is a smiling, radiant appearance scriptural for Christ-followers as we reflect the joy of the Lord, but the act of smiling is beneficial to us physically as well. Researchers have discovered that smiling reduces stress tremendously and increases our capability to deal with problems. In some cases, a "smiler" has lower blood pressure and heightened immunity.

This wordless action communicates kindness, friendship and welcome. A smile is an extension of Christ's love in us overflowing through us. There are far too many serious, sour and stone-faced people who need to be recipients of this all-important, authentic blessing.

The wisest man who ever lived recognized the value of a smile. Proverbs 15:30 says, "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart..." Let's strive to smile more and use this built-in tool God gave us to spread His love. 

Coming!

"My heart has heard You say, 'Come and talk with Me.' And my heart responds, 'LORD, I am coming.'" Psalm 27:8

Arriving at the long-term care home to enjoy lunch and an afternoon with my mom, as I entered her room she exclaimed, "Sweetheart, listen to the beautiful verse I read this morning!" With tears in her eyes and love in her heart she read Christ's invitation to come and talk with Him. Although this was a long time ago, and mom has now been with the Lord for several years, I can still envision her sitting by the window in her wing-backed chair. The joy on her face as she shared her Saviour's call to come and talk to Him spoke of the intimate relationship they had enjoyed for over 70 years. Being in her 90's at the time, her excitement to respond to God's encouragement to come was as enthusiastic as if this was the first time to experience such closeness with God. It absolutely thrilled me that at such a senior age God's Word was still alive and active and mom's life testified of her faithful following for many years.

Setting her alarm clock for 4:00am every morning, mom would rise early before the hustle and bustle of busy family life began. She knew that without intentionally prioritizing time with the Lord, the schedule of the day would steal away the precious opportunity of sitting with God and feasting on His Word. But morning was not the only part of the day she reserved to rest in Him. 

As a child, often of an evening, I would race into my parent's bedroom looking for mom, desiring to tell her something, only to halt myself quickly and step back quietly as I encountered mom on her knees beside her bed. Her relationship with Jesus was not a chore to check-off her to-do list early every morning. It extended through every waking hour. She lived in the throne room, practicing His presence and stopping to spend moments with Him whenever His invitation summoned her, or her longing to be near Him drew her.

Losing the luxury of uninterrupted privacy after moving into the nursing home where she could receive round-the-clock care, mom had to become creative. With the simple act of hiding her face in her hands, mom entered her "prayer closet". Her life may have been reduced to one-room living, but in her chair, after reading from God's Word, with eyes closed, she conversed with the Lord. She prayed for the needs of many, including my own. Mom was a mighty prayer warrior. Unable to kneel, due to physical limitations, she continued to bow her heart before her Heavenly Father multiple times throughout the day. It is our heart posture the Lord is most concerned about anyway.

I wonder how many times God speaks His invitation to each of us during the day. I once heard a story of a man who often made plans for lunch or coffee with a dear friend. At every date and time set he would arrive at the café early, eagerly anticipating his friend's arrival. Without fail, his friend would not arrive. Something always arose that prevented him from coming. Still, the man was hopeful. He continued to extend invitations. He never lost that longing or expectation that one day his friend would show up and they would enjoy a time of fellowship together. The illustration was much longer than these short sentences, but you have possibly already made the connection. The "man" is Jesus and the "friend" is each one of us.

Being a visual learner, imagining Jesus coming continually, desiring to spend time with me, never giving up, sitting alone at the table, watching each time the "café door" opens, and being rejected over and over again because of lesser loves, left a lasting impact on me. It absolutely breaks my heart to envision Christ waiting without response.

Today He extends the same invitation to each one of us. Let's not keep Him waiting long.

Temporary Prosperity

"Why do the wicked prosper, growing old and powerful?...they say to God, 'Go away. We want no part of You and Your ways. Who is the Almighty, and why should we obey Him? What good will it do us to pray?' (They think their prosperity is of their own doing, but I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking.)" Job 21:7, 14-16

There is a danger in watching those whose lives appear to be prosperous here on earth. They are man-made wonders who pride themselves in the success they have achieved. They have built their own personal empires and are living without any apparent cares. Relishing in their own accomplishments they feel they are better off without the Lord. They have no need for Him in their lives. Job even observes later in the same chapter, "Evil people are spared in times of calamity and are allowed to escape disaster."

We can't deny that it does often appear that wicked people flourish while those who intentionally follow the Lord seem to go from struggle to struggle. It can be difficult to watch the evil escaping hardship. There are Christ-followers, who, observing the outward ease of life of unbelievers, have sadly abandoned faith when their days became filled with heartaches and disappointments. Watching any life intently, other than Christ's, can be to our own harm. The comparison trap is set, and more often than not, we fall into it. 

I absolutely love how Job considers what he sees happening around him, and although his thoughts could pursue a path that would be to his detriment, he firmly resolved to have nothing to do with that kind of thinking. Oh, how many times do we also need to arrest the perceptions and assumptions that fill our minds. There can be a constant bombardment of questions and doubts that rise from hurt and confusion when we see the wicked prospering. 

There certainly appear to be many injustices in this world. There are those who reject God and live comfortable and peaceful lives. We all probably know someone who is not walking with the Lord yet living carefree, with wealth that surpasses needs. However, the things of this world can never begin to bring us more joy than knowing Jesus. 

While writing this a friend messaged me. She has had a couple of weeks of frustration dealing with multiple issues. She shared in detail all the struggles that have been mounting, yet the Lord has given her a deeper trust and joy in Him as He has invited her to praise Him in each storm. Although generally a "cup half empty" personality, the Lord is teaching her to drink from her saucer as His blessings begin to overflow. Even in the midst of trials and tribulations, sufferings that accompany our calling as Christians, we can express gratitude to the Lord for He never leaves us or forsakes us.

We sometimes develop a false doctrine when we equate blessings with righteousness and suffering with evil. Scripture tells us in Matthew 5:45 that God "makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Those who have nothing to do with Christ in this life will benefit from His goodness here on earth, but there will be a time of judgment in the future.

Like Job, we must protect our thoughts from chasing a line of thinking based on impressions formed by what we conceive to be true. Even when the facts are accurate, we can't allow what appears, to dictate our response. Job recognized, as did the prophet in Zechariah 4:6, that it is not our wealth or our power that causes us to flourish. It is God alone who gives and enables both the just and the unjust to keep any of the blessings we receive from His hand. Even when wickedness around us escalates, we remember with Job that our Redeemer lives and one day all evil will be extinguished and justice will be executed.

Our Mediator

"I need someone to mediate between God and me, as a person mediates between friends." Job 16:21

Sometimes situations and relationships need the intervention of someone who can help bring reconciliation and a peaceful resolution to a conflict. They step in as a representative, offering wise counsel as they arbitrate as a third, independent party. Many companies have unions with trained personnel who go forward on behalf of employees who require someone to advocate for them.

A mediator has to possess several qualifications. The people on both sides must be agreeable with the choice of mediator. He or she must be someone who is open to the perspectives of both parties, without favouritism to either. The mediator's decision must not be argued and this person should try and settle the situation in a way that leaves the two sides agreeable.

This is now the second time Job has requested a mediator. In Job 9:33 he says, "If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together." He longs for someone to plead on his behalf to God. He wants a middleman. God seemed so distant and Job is very aware that he is unworthy to stand before God. He needs a Saviour. He is longing for Jesus.

Sadly, many think that one day they will be able to stand before God and give their own defense. Believing their good deeds outnumber any bad things they have done, they foolishly think they will be able to argue any charges brought against them, and win. They don't realize that God will place before them every unkind word, every evil thought, every wicked deed and they will have no reasonable response, excuse or justifiable argument to support their rationalizations. 

Like Job, we too are unworthy to stand before God. We deserve condemnation, but unlike Job, we have a Mediator, Jesus Christ. "For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity - the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone." (1 Timothy 2:5-6a) All who have placed their trust in the Lord, although guilty and deserving condemnation, Christ comes and stands between us and His Father and says, "It's OK. I have paid the price for their sin on the cross."

Not only is Jesus our Mediator, but Scripture tells us that He is always interceding on our behalf. "Who then will condemn us? No one - for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honour at God's right hand, pleading for us." (Romans 8:34)

Job foresaw the need that would one day be fulfilled in Jesus. "Job is laying the foundation here in his own understanding for the tremendous revelation that comes in the New Testament when God becomes man." (Ray Stedman) Christ is both Mediator and Advocate before God the Father. Job saw dimly what we know clearly. In the confusion of his suffering Job longed for someone who fully understood all he was experiencing, who could present his case before God, one arm around Job's shoulder, and the other arm embracing God, reconciling both. 

Jesus is the only one, as both God and man, who could be the bridge of propitiation. It is only because of Christ's mediation that we can know salvation. Jesus alone is the way of access to the Father. To refuse the Mediator is to refuse knowing peace with God. May we lay hold of Christ, surrendering our lives to Him. Through Jesus it is possible for sinful humans to approach a Holy God.

LORD of Heaven's Armies

"Who is the King of glory? The LORD of Heaven's Armies - He is the King of glory." Psalm 24:10

Do you ever feel outnumbered? Certainly, when in secular settings we can sense, that as Christ-followers, we are part of a minority. We can look around and be intimidated when surrounded by those who do not know the Lord or prioritize godly ways. We may feel discouraged, beaten, defeated. How can our voice make any impact when there is clearly more against us than for us? How can we gain victory when facing such vast opposition? It is so easy to forget that what we see in the physical is not all there is. We are surrounded by a spiritual army who comes to our defense. When evil appears to be prevailing, it only means the battle is not over yet.

An army, by definition, is an organized, armed fighting force. Generally, armies are large in number, and brought together for a particular purpose. When we hear the word "army" we think of those trained for war. They are fighters. Warriors. They carry weapons to destroy the enemy. They appear fierce and frightening. They have one objective; to win the battle.

Our God is the LORD of Heaven's Armies. Does the use of plural vocabulary there not give us such courage? As believers, our Heavenly Father commands hosts of experienced soldiers instructed in combat who respond in obedience to His sovereignty. The Lord is strong and mighty and His strength is like no other. At His disposal at all times are those who willingly engage in battles on behalf of His children, and they are undefeated.

However, not only does God have charge of all the hosts of heaven, but all creatures are under His command. Alexander Maclaren put it this way, "In fact, the conception underlying the name (LORD of Heaven's Armies), is that of the universe as an ordered whole, a disciplined army, a cosmos obedient to His voice." This is echoed in the words David pens at the beginning of Psalm 24, "The earth is the LORD's and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him." There is nothing outside of God's ownership. 

At times it can seem discouraging to look around at the chaos of our world. We may struggle to see the Lord's dominion over the earth when evil appears to be winning. The LORD of Heaven's Armies not only references the hosts that gather in His name and serve at His command, but it speaks of God's strength and the security we can know as His children. The presence and power of the enemy is continually before us. We do not need to look far to see Satan's hand at work. As we step into each day we need the confidence of knowing the might of God in us and around us.

Being a visual learner, I love to picture being encircled by the Lord's army. The truth is, there is an accuser whose troops are always on the march, seeking a way to wound and defeat us as we live for Christ. However, we have the LORD of Heaven's Armies flanking us on every side. Does that not bolster our courage? We never walk into situations without Christ leading a company of His warriors to guard us. Most evil we face has a spiritual component that requires a spiritual conqueror. God is always at work fighting the sin that makes every effort to destroy us. When demonic agents threaten to deceive our hearts, the Lord's army, always deployed and at our disposal, acts in our defense. 

Today I pray that the LORD of Heaven's Armies will help you continue to fight the good fight of faith as He encompasses you with His mighty power and hand of hope.

God's Calendar

"...mark Your calendar to think of me again!" Job 14:13b

During the past several years I have felt prompted by the Lord to intentionally pray for others in very specific ways. For example, one year I had a list of 52 friends who shared their favourite scripture with me, and for a week that year each friend received seven days of prayer over the theme of their verse. Another year the same number of friends told me their greatest spiritual need, and I prayed God's word over them purposefully for seven days, following this up with a hand-written letter including all the scriptures I had lifted to the Lord on their behalf. This current year I felt led to suggest categories of prayer, one for each day of the week, and friends chose the theme that best fit their desire for prayer. One of the headings is praying for singles and widows. As I searched for Bible verses to lift before the Lord on behalf of those who are facing life alone, I found the phrase from Job 14:13b. Lord, "That You would appoint me a set time, and remember me!" (NKJV)

Whether you are single, widowed, or living with a house filled with family, when we are going through any struggles without the end of the hardship in sight, we long to know a completion date. If we only knew that on a chosen day ahead we would be on the other side of the difficulty, I think we could endure it. When we feel forgotten in the middle, our hope would be enlivened if we only knew the pain wasn't going to last indefinitely. Even if the date was far in the future, our hope would increase with the knowledge of the assurance of coming out on the other side.

The Bible doesn't tell us how long Job suffered. James 5:11 tells us, "We give great honour to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy." Phrases like "great endurance" and "at the end" certainly suggest his distress lasted more than a few days. In Job 7, Job himself referenced "months of futility, long and weary nights of misery."

When we are called to persevere in pain it can become so wearisome. If we only knew that on a set date on the calendar in the days, months or even years to come, relief and healing are coming, I think we could hold on a little longer if we had the absolute assurance of recovery. 

An unending season of suffering is so discouraging. I'm watching a dear one right now trying her best to live above the physical difficulties that are weighing heavy and causing concern. She is courageously doing her best to live above this unknown ailment during the day, and then facing sleepless nights. Multiple doctor and emergency room visits have left her with unanswered questions as the symptoms persist, making it harder and harder to function daily. The relentless weight of an unknown illness is making the sufferer feel like she is going crazy. Something is not right when you cannot even swallow a sip of water. If only God would set an appointed time and remember her. 

So, what do we do? Maybe you too feel chained to a chronic illness right now. Maybe your heartache has nothing to do with health, but a prodigal child or a fractured relationship. It is possible you feel forgotten in a job where everyone else is being promoted, yet you feel anonymous and unseen. How do we keep on keeping on? When friends like Job's come offering suggestions and platitudes that only cut deeper, they often mean well, but our hearts hurt just a little bit more as they add fuel to the fire. If God would only mark His calendar and think of us again. As we wait for relief from present agony we must consciously choose to hold on to God's promises. Caught in the crucible of suffering, only the hope found in His Word will sustain and carry us.

God does see us. He hasn't forgotten us. Isaiah 49:1 tells us that God has engraved us on the palms of His hands and nothing can separate us from the love He has for us. God has committed Himself to us forever and His shed blood has our names marked on His calendar, highlighted in red.  

When Principle Becomes Personal

"Then Job spoke again: 'Yes, I know all this is true in principle..." Job 9:1-2a

Years ago, I completed the Bible study "Experiencing God" by Henry and Richard Blackaby and Claude King. I'll always remember coming to an exercise in the book that required the participant to turn to a page provided in the back of the workbook which referenced most, if not all of the names of God found in Scripture. The list was quite extensive. Our assignment was to take time to go through the names and put a check beside each one we had experienced for ourselves. With pen in hand, I began to read and check. Name after name. Check. Check. Check. I was happily going through the list when all of a sudden, I realized something. The question wasn't asking, do I believe these names to be true, or did I know that God was called by this name, but had I experienced Him personally in these ways. It is one thing to believe something is true in our heads, but quite another to know it by personal encounter. It is no longer a principle we have been taught, but now we have participated in the understanding and have learned it to be more than accurate.

The Bible is filled with attributes and characteristics of God. There are verses that describe His comfort during times of sadness, hope in discouragement, joy in tears, peace in conflict, provision in need, refuge in storms, and presence at all times. We are quick to embrace each one, and when life is going well, we have no reason to doubt that they are all true. However, when our theology is tested, we have opportunity to turn a principle we have claimed to trust into a truth we now personally know.

Most often it takes a trial for this exchange to happen. A principle we believe to be accurate in theory meets a situation where we discover whether what we have been taught will actually sustain through the difficulty facing us. Although these fundamental truths have been foundational to our faith, until the rubber hits the road our belief in them has been acceptance without experience.

It was during the Covid pandemic in 2020 that I discovered I was facing my second cancer diagnosis. No one could accompany me to any appointments. The day of my surgery my husband had to just drive up to the hospital and drop me off. I vividly remember getting out of the car and physically reaching my hand out to take the hand of God as I walked in through the revolving doors. The Bible tells me that God is omnipresent, with me everywhere at all times. I desperately needed to know that I was not alone. 

His nearness was indescribable that day. In all the waiting, He never left me. His peace that passes understanding filled me; a truth tangibly evidenced in a normal blood pressure reading. As I waited for a dye injection that I had been told horrendous stories about, the Lord was a shield around me and His hand prevented the pain I had been warned would accompany the procedure. Unknown to me, in an incredible gift of grace, the Lord scheduled a sweet friend's medical exam at the same hospital, in the same area, at the same time I was there. I will always remember the joy, the hugs, the tears as we prayed for one another right in that hallway. When neither she or I could bring anyone into the building with us because of the government restrictions, the Lord saw two gals leaning heavily on Him, and He provided such an unspeakable delight, reassuring us both that He indeed was watching over us. Unforgettable!

Theology must become practical. The scriptural principles we claim must result in faith, following (obedience) and fruit. A principle not practiced proves nothing. Affirming truth must be accompanied with application of that truth. We can know, love, recite and acknowledge Biblical insights and wisdom as indisputable, but when those precepts come alive by personal experience our relationship with the Lord is forever changed.

Risk Making Room

"You, too, have given no help. You have seen my calamity, and you are afraid." Job 6:21

How do you react to hearing of a friend's sudden calamity? A calamity is an event that causes great distress. The catastrophe hasn't fallen on you, but something of magnitude has impacted someone you love. There is a unique strength needed to come alongside a dear one walking a very difficult road. For some, the risk of getting involved seems impossible. Fear can be a very real response. Ignorance can be bliss when it protects our hearts from breaking.

Many years ago, I remember hearing of a friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer. As she began to share her journey on social media, I recall how her updates actually frightened me. I was nervous for her, but as she allowed her suffering to find its voice in this public forum, her messages terrified me. Reflecting on all she was going through, I couldn't imagine myself walking out a similar diagnosis. Connecting with this friend brought her pain vividly before me and it was easier to distance myself so I could shield myself from the agony I didn't want to feel or the "what if's" I didn't want to think about. To safeguard my heart and mind, I took a step back instead of running towards her when she needed friends surrounding her the most. I knew what I was doing. I can't excuse my behaviour. It was intentional. I later asked for her forgiveness, which she graciously extended, expressing how she completely understood. Thankfully many of her other friends rallied to her side and ministered to her well.

When someone we love so dearly is desperately in need it can be difficult for those whose lives are close to them as well. Even if we think we have a plan prior to hearing of another's crisis, it can dissolve pretty quickly when facing the reality of our lives interrupted. Sometimes processing the pain takes time. Suffering is such a teacher. It instructs us how to interact with others, and as we grow in learning to express empathy, the next time we hear of a loved one's calamity our immediate response will be more instinctive. We will have developed more emotional fortitude, being changed and empowered to respond with an enriched faith.

I know this to be true because the example shared above became the catalyst for me to never hesitate again. My friend's crisis exposed my heart to me. I wouldn't say I was cold or callus to calamity. I was scared. My own fear of ever hearing I had cancer put a wall up. If I didn't associate with the disease, it might never find me. I've learned that is not true. I've had cancer twice. I didn't escape the very thing that frightened me the most. 

One of the questions we want answered more than any other is "Are we safe?" We hear a story like Job's and we wonder what God is going to allow to touch our lives. What if traumatic news knocks on our door? If our personal world is turned upside down, will we be okay? Will there be those who will risk drawing close and investing in our pain? Getting intimate with another's suffering is an investment with great rewards. When we shoulder someone else's burden, a sacred bond is formed. We enter in to their grief, honouring the tragedy that has deeply impacted their life.

Let's not allow fear to prevent us from unwrapping the gift of being God's comfort and stepping closer. Yes, this type of love comes with a cost, but it is our calling as Christ-followers. We don't need to analyze their pain, but learn to empathize. "We don't have to understand someone's pain to make room for it." (Kristen LaValley) 

Will we risk making room for the sake of another today?

The Mystery of God's Love

"There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz..." Job 1:1a

From a young age I have played the piano. Annually my teacher would encourage participation in music festivals. I would have preferred avoiding these stress inducers, but apparently their purpose was to make me a better performer. I remember one competition that had received much preparation. My presentation was flawless. The audience applauded. First place was in my grasp. No other contestant was without error. It was mine. As the judges stepped forward to present the certificates, I was handed second place. First place was awarded to one who not only stumbled through the performance, but who forgot her memory and had to get her book. It made absolutely no sense. Life at times seems unjust and unfair.

Welcome to Job's world. We have just touched the outside realm of Job's turf. Job is a book of misery and mystery. He was like you and I. Quietly living out his ordinary days. "There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz." That could be the beginning of our story today. There once was a woman/man named ______ who lived in the land of ______. Job's story could be our story, and that thought can frighten us. 

We read there was man, then there was a day. A day like no other. A day when life crashed down so hard the living of it seems unimaginable. Job's life is the personification of misery. A misery that God allowed after drawing the Accuser's attention to him. Job was a model man. He had a resume of righteousness, yet his piety and prosperity didn't protect him from pain. Here was a good man, a godly man, a faithful husband, a loving, praying father, then seemingly senseless tragedy invaded his life. So undeserving. No warning. No understanding. A strange cosmic agreement between God and Satan. There is just no comprehending. Life was unfair. Difficulties we can handle, but unfair seems too hard. It is this reality that fills our thoughts with questions.

Job got up one morning and his life changed forever. We too can experience Job moments in our lives. A phone call. A Doctor's report. A knock on the door. None are exempt from sudden tragedy. On a less personal scale, but still impactful, we hear of terror and tragedies, random shootings, child abuse and unexplainable loss and each one screams of the injustice in this world.

Suffering unaccompanied with understanding seems extra hard. If we are punished for doing wrong, although the consequences might bring pain, it is deserving. Job had done nothing wrong. He was a man of integrity, yet God chose for him to endure unfathomable loss and heartache. What makes it seem even more difficult to understand is that it is the Lord Himself who draws the enemy's attention to Job, not once, but twice. "Then the LORD asked Satan, 'Have you noticed My servant Job?'" (Job 1:8; 2:3) To this reality we must believe, as Chris Tiegreen writes, "God wouldn't offer up His servant for testing if He didn't already know the outcome." 

Journeying through the pages of the life of Job is not easy. I think it is natural to read and wonder if God could ask such a trial of each one of us. How many can truly say with Paul that we want to know Christ in His suffering? (Philippians 3:10) Most of us want to avoid hardship at any cost. We know that at any moment, if not for the grace of God, Job's life could be ours. That possibility can hold a shadow over our heads and fill our minds with 'what-ifs' and potential worries. 

Suffering is a revealer of relationship. Do we love God for what He does for us or who He is? Do storms in life make us ask, "Where is God?" We must remember, as Alistair Begg writes, "God's sovereign rule extended over Job's affliction and Satan's jurisdiction." As children of the Heavenly Father we can live being confident of His care and control over every moment of our days. We are continually held in the mystery of His love.

"Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blessed assurance control;

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my soul."

(Horatio Spafford; "It Is Well With My Soul"; copyright 1873)

Ammunition or Ambassadors?

"Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone." Colossians 4:5-6

"Make the most of every opportunity." I used to believe that this phrase only referenced sharing the gospel message. Whenever an occasion opens up to speak a word for Christ, we need to seize it and not let the window of time pass by without declaring our faith. This is right and good, but I have come to realize this verse means more than verbally telling others about Jesus. 

What about when we are feeling exasperated with the service man at our house who seems to be giving us the run around? Is patience evidenced? When someone hurts our feelings, how quickly do we offer forgiveness? When an appointment is running late, do we extend grace? If the car driving in front of us is going slower than we'd like, how are we responding? Are our words with the solicitor too abrupt, bordering on cruel? Do we consider how others see Christ in us at these moments? Are we making the most of these God-given opportunities?

Throughout our day we have countless encounters that provide ways for us to demonstrate that having Christ living in us makes a difference, but does anyone see Him by our reactions? Paul writes about having "the right response for everyone". That's not talking about having a wise answer and being so knowledgeable that we can intelligently reply in every conversation. The "right response" is the one God would have us give, and at times it could even mean silence.

Our conduct as believers is a powerful evangelizing tool. Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:12, "Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbours. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honourable behaviour, and they will give honour to God when He judges the world." Too often we give our unbelieving friends ammunition against Jesus. Often the choices we make reflect so poorly on the Christ we claim to follow that we harm any possibility we might have to testify to the truth of God's word.

In every situation we are to practically live out the gospel message in a way that attracts others to our Saviour. Is our conduct favourable and appealing to the world? We need to be so aware of what we say and how we say it. Our tongues can turn others away from ever listening to anything we have to say in the future. The unsaved are looking at our lives and they are quick to criticize, yet we make it so easy for them to find fault when we allow frustration, anger and impatience to characterize our interactions with others.

Our entire lives are one big opportunity to be ambassadors for Christ. How often, even today, have we wounded His reputation? We need to seriously evaluate every word we say, every activity we participate in, every rolled eye, every tone, all aspects of our day-to-day happenings to determine how each action affects our witness for Christ. Are we making it more difficult for someone to one day hear us share the gospel with them? Does our speech betray our testimony? In anger do we speak our mind without minding what we say? When we react rashly, we are ruining opportunities to let others see Jesus in us. We must give careful consideration of the possible consequences to our impulsivity.

"Each day, we are to yield ourselves fully to Jesus, so that we may live wisely and respond graciously to others about the One who gives us the assurance of eternal life." - David C. McCasland

"Oh, make me, Lord, so much like Thee, My life controlled by power divine,

That I a shining light may be, From which Thy grace may ever shine." - Robertson

"A Christlike life can be a message of hope to a searching world."

"Take Me Along With You"

"Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote another letter putting the queen's full authority behind Mordecai's letter to establish the Festival of Purim." Esther 9:29

As a teenager, I was part of a girls' choir, The Oshawa Festival Singers. There were two sisters, a little older than myself, who had the most gorgeous voices, and their harmonies were exquisite. Not only could they sing, but the glimmer and glee in their eyes as they sang, animated their performances and made them favourites to many. One of the first duets I ever heard them share was entitled, "Take Me Along With You". The lyrics to that melody have recaptured my thoughts today in the reading of Esther.

The book of Esther is a thrilling retelling of a young woman who bravely fulfilled her calling, ascending to the throne of Persia and being instrumental in saving her people, the Jews, from annihilation. There are so many encouragements and take-aways. God's name is never mentioned in the ten chapters, but His presence is seen through His people as they trust in His prevailing providence.

All the characters are key and each detail is vital to the outcome of the situation. Just when circumstances look completely hopeless, a king has a sleepless night and a reversal begins that sees the enemy destroyed and the Jewish people saved. Although Esther is hailed as the hero and praised for her courage, her cousin Mordecai certainly played a valuable supporting role. Mordecai was Esther's "along with". Although physically separated through much of the pages of Esther, it was his influence and inspiration that motivated her to fulfill her calling.

Last evening I was reading the "Acknowledgements" in the back of a book I had just completed. Yes, I'm one of those people who read an entire book from cover to cover. The author was crediting her grandfather. She said the reader was holding in their hands the result of a Papa believing that her words mattered. "Every word I've ever written and will ever write is because you loved me, believed me, challenged me, and helped me center myself every time I lost my way." He was her "along with".

Rarely do lone rangers accomplish great tasks. There might be one person who takes the final step of action, but behind them is a team of dedicated supporters who were the strength and stamina, holding them up and lovingly pushing them forward. Our destiny's will not be fulfilled without our "along withs".

We need to work in conjunction with others. We should never be a one-man-show. There is a joy in partnership that is unspeakable. As I reflect back on those who motivate me to be more than I think I am or can be, names flood my mind. I am so very thankful for the village of family and friends who never stop their "withness".

There is no denying that Mordecai plays a vital role in the plot. Without Mordecai's refusal to bow to the evil Haman, the enemy's anger wouldn't have arisen, at least not yet. The actions of Esther's cousin move the storyline along, putting Esther in a position to seek the favour of the king.

It's vital to note, although a scheduled scheme is devised to eliminate God's people, no man-made strategy subjected on any of God's children moves forward against the Lord's command. As Christ-followers we are never at the mercy of evil. God is in control and sovereign over all things. A colossal turnaround can suddenly change the trajectory of history as the Lord intervenes on behalf of His people.

Today, not only am I thankful for the "along with" companions who have kept me embracing all the Lord has for me, but I also want to consider who needs me to be their "along with", offering words of truth that will help them follow the Lord for such a time as this.

Ebenezers of Unfailing Love

"I am praying to You because I know You will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Show me Your unfailing love in wonderful ways." Psalm 17:6-7a

Why do we pray? What is it that moves us to intentionally take time to talk to God? Do we have a daily longing to enter into conversation with the Lord? The Psalmist expresses assurance in receiving an answer. "I'm praying to You because I know You will answer." Do we always have confidence that God will respond to our prayers? David, the writer of Psalm 17, is very specific. He desires the answer to give evidence of God's unfailing love in some wonderful way. But what if God's wonderful doesn't reflect the definition of our wonderful?

Do you ever sit with a list of huge prayer requests? These are the big ones. Without the intervention of God, certain situations are not going to change. We pray with intensity and expectancy. We earnestly contend in combat, pleading for the Lord to step in, answer in our favour and alter the outcome. It makes me recall when my nephew received a Wii for Christmas. For any who don't know, a Wii is a machine that enables you to play interactive games on the television. One of the first activities I engaged in was a boxing match. I couldn't believe how exhausting it was physically. I mean, basically, I was fighting air, but I was doing it with vigour. I couldn't give up, back off or let down or my "opponent" would overpower me and win.

Wrestling is a sport that requires strength, stamina and unceasing exertion. Have we ever strived with God like that over a prayer concern? How quickly do we give up and relent, discouraged that we haven't seen any activity in the heavenlies, so we assume it's best to abandon the ask? Do we find God's silence easier to handle than His 'no'? At least, without a response, there hasn't yet been a definite end. The hope of an answer is still out there.

It's hard when God's "wonderful" involves teaching us to persevere, trust, endure, have patience and wait. His unfailing love in wonderful ways towards us is felt most deeply in the middle of all those things we desperately don't want to touch our lives. We know He loves us on our good days, but it is in our dark days when our experience of His care for us is more profound. I think we all know that, but we often hate the journey involved to reveal this truth. I read a young woman's testimony recently who admitted to God, "I'm so tired of being a test subject for Your faithfulness." We maybe haven't voiced that before, but I for one have felt it.

Being raised in a home where the character of God was never doubted or debated, there was an unarguable acceptance that if God allowed some calamity, heartache or pain, there was always a reason and our response was to be joyful in affliction. Sometimes that joy is a hard burden to bear. 

The equation sounds so simple at first. Prayer equals answer. Is that any answer or just our answer? What if years have passed without seeing any response from God? What if the formula the Psalmist is suggesting fails? We then wonder, is this the only faulty calculation we believed or are others in jeopardy now too? Our theologies must be tested to discover the truth. God isn't a formula who makes sense to us, and He never will be.

I worry sometimes that prayer becomes only a transaction. We read scriptures that reassure us that those who ask, receive and so we make prayer an agreement. I need this. God can do anything. I pray. God is supposed to answer. The end. God is not a genie in a bottle that we rub the right way to get a desired outcome. Prayer isn't about the answer. Pray is about communion and relationship. Does He, in unfailing love, answer in wonderful ways? Yes, and He has lavished significant, life-changing, miraculous answers on me to which I give witness with great praise. But I have also begged Him with other requests that challenged and deepened my faith when His quiet whispers invited me to walk a road I wanted to avoid. A road now lined with Ebenezers of His presence. His coming near is His greatest answer of unfailing love.

Mourning at Our Gates

"When Mordecai learned about all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on burlap and ashes, and went out into the city, crying with a loud and bitter wail.... When Queen Esther's maids and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, she was deeply distressed. She sent clothing to him to replace the burlap, but he refused it." Esther 4:1,4

How do we respond to the suffering of others? It is so hard to watch loved ones going through difficult times and feeling so helpless to change their situation. Often, we want to fix whatever caused their pain, but life isn't that simple. Oh, if only we could right every wrong and lift every burden.

King Xerxes has just issued a decree that all Jews must be killed on a single day. Upon hearing this announcement, Mordecai puts on sackcloth and ashes, going into the city as far as the palace gate. His clothing of mourning attracts the attention of Queen Esther's maids and eunuchs. Only a gate is separating them in proximity, but worlds apart in position. Upon hearing of her cousin's distress, she sends clothing to replace the burlap, but he refuses to accept it.

Growing up in my home, I would watch my mom instantly plug the kettle in whenever anyone came to our door with a need. A cup of tea was the cure for everything. Not really, but it represented time to sit together, listen, cry, hug and pray. My mom was also a firm believer that it didn't matter how terrible one was feeling, getting washed and dressed was always beneficial to aid recovery. Regardless of how poorly we felt, apparently "appearing" well was going to help us feel better. That might hold some truth, but when one is struggling in any away, they need more than a change of clothes. A heart covered in sackcloth needs ministry.

Queen Esther reacted similar to many of us. As soon as we hear of a need we want to make everything better, even before we know the details of the concern. We offer clothing to cover the sadness. We hate to see suffering. I know in the past when I have seen a friend in pain, at times I have backed away, not because I don't care, but fear of experiencing the grief they are walking makes me create distance so my life isn't touched by their sorrow, a sorrow I can do absolutely nothing about. It is as if their disease or distress will actually become mine if I get too close.

Just this past week a gal reached out to me seeking suggestions for a mutual friend who is currently enduring suffering upon suffering. She wanted to know what has meant the most to me over the past year as we have walked a journey of uncertainty and pain. In reality she was asking, how can we best minister to those mourning at our gates? From one who has worn sackcloth more than she has wished, I'm going to offer three 'p's'. Practical. Presence. Prayer. 

After my husband's cardiac arrest, my next-door neighbour just began cutting our grass. She also came to the door one morning and simply said, "I'm here to take out your garbage." She didn't ask how I needed help; she just began taking care of practical needs. Others dropped off prepared meals to my porch, or ordered online dinners from a favourite restaurant and had them delivered. Again, the question wasn't do you need any food, but will you be home? You see, the time we need help the most, we ask for it the least, but real friends just know. They know that deciding what to have for dinner is too big a decision in the middle of fragile functioning.

The gift of presence is the second way we can minister. Just come and be. Honestly, you don't have to say anything. I think we often hold back from drawing close because we don't know what to say. Here's the answer: you don't have to speak a word. Presence is a comfort. Hurting hearts receive hope from whole ones even in silence.

Thirdly, prayer. Never underestimate the value of prayer. We often speak of praying as if resigning ourselves to accept that it is all we can do. Friends, it is the most we can do! Praying for or with the suffering friend brings such solace as together help from the Comforter is sought. When someone is mourning at our gates, refuse the urge to fix and cover, choosing instead to enter in to their pain and watch the healing begin.

Saying 'No' to the King

"On the seventh day of the feast, when King Xerxes was in high spirits because of the wine, he told the seven eunuchs who attended him...to bring Queen Vashti to him with the royal crown on her head...But when they conveyed the king's order to Queen Vashti, she refused to come..." Esther 1:10-12

King Xerxes was hosting a celebration! He sounds like a teenager throwing a party for his peers while his parents are away! After 180 days of pomp and ceremony, he then extends an invitation to all the people who were in the fortress of Susa to attend a banquet for another seven days in the courtyard of the palace garden. Scripture tells us, that "at the same time, Queen Vashti gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes." King and Queen both hosting festivities of grandeur, but one is about to be interrupted.

Under the influence of a great deal of wine, the King on a whim, decides he wants to give a little "show and tell". Vashti was a beautiful woman and her husband wants to put her on display for all to see. His pride had turned to perversion. King Xerxes desires to present his queen as a "living trophy of his power and glory" (Karen H. Jobes). This was a summons that would accentuate his control, not only over his kingdom, but his wife.

However, when the eunuchs issued her the king's command, Vashti refused to comply. We are not told why she rejected the orders, but she did. We can surmise reasons. Maybe out of loyalty to the women she was currently hosting she didn't want to leave her celebration. It's been suggested that she could have been pregnant and so she didn't want to appear before the men in public. She may have been carrying a grudge from some earlier marital argument and in anger was not about to let her husband tell her what to do. Whatever the cause, she said 'no' to her king.

Have we ever said 'no' to our King? Oh, I'm not referring to our "Prince Charming" for those of us who are married. I'm wondering, have we ever responded with a definite 'no' when the King of Kings has asked us to come to Him? How He longs to spend time with us. Obedience is the focus of our faith. We are taught to trust and obey, but do we always? What if He seems to be clearly leading us where we don't want to go or do something we definitely don't want to do? And what if we say 'no', will God continue to love us?

I think, more often than not, we table the request God has presented, the one with which we are struggling, turning off our hearts to the matter. Rather than wrestle through to a decision, we delay an answer until a later time, probably hoping that in the interim the Lord will remove the ask. Most often fear and inadequacy are the basis of our refusal. God wants to hear our thoughts as we battle through to a place of acceptance and peace.

If we are honest, and possibly without realizing it, we say 'no' to God daily. We might not outwardly, blatantly and boldly disagree with our Sovereign Ruler, but when considering His commands throughout Scripture, do we always say 'yes'? Maybe we hear a convicting message that stirs our hearts and we know the Holy Spirit is prompting us to act, but we walk away unchanged. Possibly we have become aware of a sin that we have not only refused to confess, but still indulge. Our actions are saying 'no' to God. What about God's Word today to our heart that asks us to forgive another or pray for those who despitefully use us? Are we continually saying 'yes' to His teachings?

When God asks us to do something that we want to avoid, or it just sounds too hard, He is gifting us a new opportunity to experience Him. There are many others here on earth we will and must say 'no' to, but our King should not be one of them. As the Psalmist writes in Psalm 18:30, God's ways are perfect and any invitation He extends to us will be for our good and His glory. Today let's say 'yes' to our King.

The Discipline of Celebration

"Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith." Philippians 3:1

Recently I was talking to my sister about "defiant joy". This is an attitude I've adopted over the years when circumstances, people and longings endeavour to bring heartache and steal my joy. Life has hardships. At the onset of an unexpected grief, I don't deny the agony or stifle the tears. The hurt is real and my emotions respond honestly. But, after a time of allowing my feelings to express their voice, for me, there comes an acknowledgement that I can't remain in the pain. Lingering too long in the sadness has no value. I encourage myself to give evidence of "defiant joy". It is a response that looks the enemy in the eye and declares that despite how things appear, my joy is in the Lord. It's brilliant, when it works.

It is a challenge to choose joy. When the road is hard and nothing to celebrate is easily evident, joy can seem like a cruel expectation. It's not possible to find joy in disease, divorce, diagnosis, disappointments, destruction, deconstruction, division, delays and detours. It's true. Each one of these is a weight with potential to paralyze any passion that once used to burst forth in exuberance. 

Paul, the author of Philippians, encourages joy when "whatever happens". He doesn't give a list of possibilities. His wording is inclusive. "Whatever happens". If we were sitting over coffee right now, I'd love to know the "whatever happens" that have fallen into your lap. I'd tenderly take your hand, resist all distractions and listen. We can't rush through the sharing of our "whatever happens". They are deep, tough, unwelcomed and frightening. They can cause doubts and discouragement to arise. They don't seem fair and our fragile hearts can be on the verge of fainting away.  How can anyone ask us to find joy in this? If tears testify to tragedy, won't joy diminish the value of our suffering?

Ah, there it is. We aren't being told to be joyful because of the "whatever happens"; we are told to be joyful in the Lord. Life can be in chaos, but God hasn't changed. Our joy can remain steadfast in Christ. But wait...isn't He the One who has allowed, permitted, or dare we say, sent this calamity to touch our lives? We are to have joy in the One who could have prevented this earthquake from unsettling our souls and causing our world to shake and crumble? 

God requires our discipline of celebration to be an act of worship. It is easy to praise and be thankful when everything is going our way. Our natural response to good times is to sing and express happiness. Joy in the unnatural identifies us as belonging to the Lord. When troubles surround and surmount and we lift our voice in song, what a testimony to the Lord, even when our voices are no louder than a faint whisper and tears are the accompanying chords.

Paul writes that this type of offering safeguards our faith. As we rejoice our faith is strengthened because God inhabits the praise of His people (Psalm 22:3). As we exercise our joy muscle, our trust grows. God's very presence invades us as we praise. Focusing on joy turns our attention away from all the negative that is real and fixes our thoughts on what is true (Philippians 4:8). "Joy is not the absence of pain, it's the sacred acceptance of it." (Cheryl Brewster). 

The problem is that most of us have a theology that justifies suffering. We turn quickly to the Psalms of lament, or the weeping prophet Jeremiah, or the Book of Lamentations and find solace in scripture that echoes how we want to feel. If we surrender to this too long, we will never want to walk the road that brings us out to a place of healing and hope. God is a Redeemer and joy is a mercy of God's grace that understands that beyond the grief there is a Saviour.

Great God! Great Joy!

"...God had given the people cause for great joy." Nehemiah 12:43

When I was a little girl, I would often climb up on my Daddy's lap and ask him to tell me the story of the "Dale Twins". Dad would cuddle my sister and I in close and begin a familiar tale of two babies who were spared life by the divine hand of God.

It all started one day when the only child, a daughter, noticed two pink hyacinths in bloom in the family's front garden. She confidently announced that her mom, who was expecting a child at the time, was going to give birth to twin girls. This daughter was 18 years old and there had been no siblings in all these years. One baby was going to be a change, but twins? Impossible! However, there was an uncle who was a twin, so her dad remained hopeful. He added his longing for twins to her newfound excitement, and put in his order for identical twin girls with curly, red hair. If they were dreaming anyway, why not be specific!

It wasn't long after this that the mom did go into labour, at 25 weeks, and two precious, little one-pound baby girls with curly red hair were born. No-one had really been anticipating twins, and definitely not this early. The doctor did not even know that twins were arriving until he saw the second head coming. Can you imagine the surprise? Now with ultrasounds and all the technology available, it would seem impossible to keep this news hidden. Upon hearing of her twin sisters arrival, the teenage daughter was quick to exclaim, "The hyacinths were right!" 

All the doctors gave absolutely no hope for either baby to survive. Born with undeveloped lungs, diseases and other concerns characteristic of preemies, these little ones were just too small to beat the odds. Believing they were too fragile to be transported to a specialized facility, the babies were put in incubators and basically left on their own. Their parents made 101 trips to the hospital before they could even touch one of their girls. The father related how he would stand by the nursery window, watching their little chests rise and fall, wondering would each breath be their last? The agony of each moment. The pain of watching, yet too afraid to tear his eyes away, as if his very presence brought an unseen strength, willing his tiny, wee babies to fight for life.

And fight they did! Surpassing all probability, day after day these little girls clung to life. There were people praying for them all around the world. They became known as the "Miracle Babies". Each day brought increased hope. Daily miracles were evident. After weeks and months of agonizing uncertainty, these darling little ones finally came home. The journey still was not without challenges, but the prayers of many had been answered.

That story began 62 years ago today. Those two little babies were my twin sister and I. 

God indeed gave my family cause for great joy! In fact, so much joy the only natural thing to do was name one of their daughter's "Joy" in celebration of His goodness. Again, today I am thanking the Lord for the gift of years that doctors thought would never happen. Nothing is impossible with God! I live life thankful for each and every breath and pray that each day is worthy of the gift bestowed on me by my Lord and Saviour. From my mother's womb my Creator and Heavenly Father has cared for me. No wonder I am always praising You for indeed You have given me cause for great joy!

On His Throne!

"Help, O LORD, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth!...The LORD replies, 'I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for Me to do.'..." Psalm 12:1, 5

The richness of God's Word overwhelms me. Today, reading Psalm 12 along with Nehemiah 7-9 we see the Lord rising up, rescuing and fulfilling the longings of His people. Although written thousands of years ago, we look around and echo the sentiment of David. Those who claim to be followers of Christ seem to be disappearing. We reflect over the names of great saints who impacted previous generations. Tozer, Spurgeon, Lewis. We think of the great biographies of Mueller, Wesley, Taylor and others. Lives that inspired, sacrificed, and walked in radical trust, resulting in extraordinary testimonies. Even in more recent generations we mourn the loss of evangelists like Dr. Rev Billy Graham and missionary Nate Saint.

Nehemiah records in chapter 8:1 that "all the people assembled with a unified purpose...They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had given for Israel to obey." I don't know how long the reading took, but afterwards, time was given to explain the words shared, helping the people understand how to live righteously. Comprehension brought confession as the hearers realized their fallen state and the leaders led everyone in a prayer of praise to God. They might have been part of the retreating righteous, but repentance kept them from remaining named with those receding, and it can for us as well. Those struggling in their faith might be fading, but they don't have to completely disappear or become disqualified from finishing strong.

So incredible that the simple opening of God's Word brought such a gathering and response. It seems so often today that God's Word isn't center stage. Events are advertised with so many "extras" to entice a crowd. A schedule is put together with added activities that hope to draw a larger attendance. Workshops. Crafts. Nature hikes. Yoga. Pickleball. Not condemning any of these things, but they shouldn't be the main attraction. Hearing God's Word should not only be central, but the most desirable. The focus must be scripture. Most of us need a restored awe and wonder for His Word. How disagreeable some can become should a Pastor, on any given Sunday, being filled with the Holy Spirit, share a message that extends beyond the time we feel is acceptable. What has happened to our priorities?

What follows in Nehemiah 9 is one of the most glorious passages in Scripture. Years of history are shared as the people remember and glorify the Lord. We see the falling away again and again of those who were part of the "faithful". There were many detours, delays, obstacles, opposition, distractions, personal mistakes, but time after time we read how God saw, heard, arose and rescued, fulfilling the longings of the people.

The prayer lifted to the Lord has one topic. God...only God. In fact, Nehemiah 9:6 begins, "You alone are the LORD." Absolutely no one compares with Yahweh. Just briefly looking over the descriptive words we see that God makes, preserves, fulfills promises, sees, hears, displays, knows, divides, hurls, gives, instructs, commands, remains, extends mercy, sends, never stops giving, sustains, helps, places, subdues, blesses, hands over, listens, rescues, loves, waits, allows, keeps, showers, sets and is! He is "the great and mighty and awesome God" (9:32). "What a gracious and merciful God You are!" (9:31b)

As the Lord rose to rescue His people so many years ago when the godly were vanishing, so He rises today. His character and attributes remain the same. As He was then, He is now. The deep, unmet longings of His people will again see His sovereign hand provide. As lyrics echo in one of the songs my son Chris wrote in his modern oratorio, "It is Written", when it appears the godly are gone, the faithful have vanished, the wicked are flourishing and the wait seems long, God is on His throne, ruling righteously! We cannot lose hope! He is aware of our longings, and rising to rescue in His perfect time.

"On His Throne", created by Christopher R. Brown, CB Press, copyright 2023

Guarding and Guarded

"I trust in the LORD for protection...'Don't be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord'...But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail..." Psalm 11:1a, Nehemiah 4:14b, 16a

For four days now I have been battling some virus. In an effort to help protect my husband, considering his weakened heart condition, and keep my extended family from getting ill, I have been isolating myself and wearing a mask when passing through common areas in our home. I have declined luncheon requests and coffee visits, sadly invitations to celebrate my birthday, but will enjoy anticipating these outings another time. I am using due diligence to attempt anything beneficial I know to do to help my family remain healthy.

This is not lack of faith in trusting the Lord. This is applying wisdom. I believe there is a partnership between faith and works. Yes, we trust God ultimately for our protection as David writes in Psalm 11, but when we know measures we can take that are prudent and preventative, we are acting in foolishness when we do not apply the knowledge the Lord has given us.

Nehemiah reminds the people first to "Remember the Lord". He encourages them not to be afraid of their enemies. Nehemiah's first response was to turn to God. Scripture records in Nehemiah 4:9, "But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves." There is this dance between putting confidence in God while taking steps of common sense. The people didn't just pray "God protect us" and then knowingly expose themselves to the real threat of danger without taking precaution. Half the men worked while the other half stood guard, armed and ready against attack. Verse 23b tells us, "We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water." Was this living in fear? No, this was living in revere of the Lord, in respect of the knowledge He gives us.

Faith and works do not need to be an either/or decision. I love have Nehemiah records that they prayed "and" guarded. Being vulnerable before the enemy, knowing the reality of danger that is lurking, and doing nothing, is reckless. God gave us all minds and access to knowledge and He expects us to put into practice the insight and discernment He supplies. It is often through this God-given, Spirit-led perception that He is protecting us.

Sometimes the Lord makes it clear that there are necessary actions we need to personally take and we will be accountable for doing what we ought to do. I think we have all heard the story of the man who was stranded on his roof after a flood who prayed for the Lord to save him. Refusing rescue attempts from helicopter and boat the man dies and upon entering heaven inquires why the Lord did not respond to his cry for help. To this God replies: Who do you think sent the plane and ship? 

Sometimes God's plan for our protection comes in very practical ways of application. Taking medication is not lack of trust. Purchasing a deadbolt for your door is not dismissing faith. Locking your car doors, wearing a life-jacket, going inside during severe weather, using a helmet riding a bicycle, these and many other acts of good judgment are often passed down from those who have experienced their benefit and know them to be valuable.

To trust God does not mean to abandon our thought process. When there is action that needs to be taken, the Lord provides the strength for the task and the know-how for the how-to. We are not to live heedlessly but as we guard what He has entrusted to us, He is guarding us. Don't forget. Trust is a verb and sometimes the action needed is carrying our weapon even if we are never called to use it.

He Knows

"LORD, You know the hopes of the helpless. Surely You will hear their cries and comfort them." Psalm 10:17

When the driver experienced a cardiac arrest while stopped at a red light, with one van in front, the Enclave slowly moved forward nudging the vehicle and coming to rest. As the driver of the van came back to see what had happened, a nurse passing by in an adjacent lane, running late for her next home-care appointment, looked over and seeing the driver slumped across the steering wheel, instantly realized this was a medical emergency. Pulling her car to the side, at a very busy intersection, she raced across lanes of traffic to get to the person in need. At the same time, an off-duty police officer who was just leaving a local McDonald's restaurant saw the accident and crossed over to assist. 

Because the driver's side window was down, the officer was able to reach into the car, unlock the door, quickly pull the gentleman out, and the nurse immediately began CPR. She diligently kept this up until EMS arrived. Her last visual of this driver was not encouraging. In all the time she was there, his heart had not responded to her efforts.

Absolutely nothing prepares you to respond to a persistent knock on the door and upon opening it find a police officer. Getting ready to leave on vacation in less than an hour, I had returned from an appointment, and not finding my husband at home I decided to make a quick batch of muffins to take on our journey. They were about half-cooked when this interruption came and life was unexpectedly turned around.

Hearing that Gord had experienced a cardiac arrest while driving and that he currently had no vitals, the officer asked if he could drive me to the local hospital. He waited while I attended to my baking, removing the trays and turning the oven off, then grabbing my cell phone charger we were on our way. On route to the hospital, I discovered our son was at a rehearsal at the church, and quite incredibly we were approaching the building, so the officer swung in the driveway and we picked him up. Such a grace of God so that I wouldn't be physically alone upon arriving at the hospital. The officer also received a call during our short ride, that medics had managed to shock Gord's heart into beating again. Huge praise!

Walking into that critical care, emergency room, my husband was hooked up to more machines and tubes then I had ever seen. It was like something off of a television show. It is funny what our eyes take in at these moments. I still remember one running shoe laying sideways on the floor and the nurse apologizing, saying they had no idea where the other shoe was at the moment. Shoes were the least of my concerns. 

Gord was on a ventilator as well as other devices. It was the Lord and only the Lord who provided the strength to stay standing by his bedside. My son Chris was a rock, providing support for me, even while struggling in his own way. An incredible peace swept over my heart that was indescribable. As family gathered outside and friends began to be notified of our need, not only did they surround us at the hospital, but many prayers were being lifted on our behalf. God certainly knew the hopes of the helpless and heard our cries, comforting us.

This was my experience a year ago today. Although the past twelve months have been difficult with delays, challenges, other diagnosis, change in lifestyle, surrendering and sacrificing so much for the sake of my husband's health, the Lord has continually provided. I love how this verse says the Lord "knows" the hopes of the helpless. That is how intimately and instantly He is aware of our longings. His hand was in every detail a year ago, right down to the van in front of Gord's vehicle preventing him from rolling into oncoming traffic in a busy intersection. The nurse wasn't late, she was right on time. It was not a coincidence an off-duty officer was just finishing his lunch at that exact location. God had everyone in place because He knew the hopes of the helpless and He continues to hear our cries and speak comfort into this long journey. The same is true for whatever situation you are facing. God knows.

Repairing Walls

"Each one repaired the section immediately across from his own house." Nehemiah 3:28b

Earlier today my sister and her husband sent us pictures of our trailer. Not able to get north this summer because of my husband's health concerns, Japhia and John do a walk-through of our home-away-from-home every time they have opportunity to stay at their own vacation location just down the street. The pictures revealed that the sunroom has pulled away from the trailer proper and there are big gaps that need repair. I hate the thought of all the bugs and little critters that currently could gain access to a free hotel and the damage these little animals could do. Over the years, Gord has done maintenance on our trailer, but without being there this summer, issues are arising. It doesn't take long for walls to break down and gates to be destroyed.

Upon learning of the state of the remnant and Jerusalem, Nehemiah sits downs and weeps for days, mourning, fasting and praying. His heart is broken by the news relayed to him. When was the last time that something that breaks the heart of God moved you in this way? Until our heart breaks, we won't repair what is broken. I always think it is so interesting that God places different burdens on our hearts, awakening awareness to the needs that surround us. My sister has a heart for Teen Challenge. She has written letters to all the graduates in the program and crocheted them prayer shawls. She gives financially to the ministry and supports them in any way she can. Years ago, the Lord made me aware of the people in Uganda and the Amazima School and I have embraced that ministry as one that I partner with when able. If God highlights a ministry need to us, that is Him stirring our hearts to become involved.

While serving King Artaxerxes his wine, the king inquires as to Nehemiah's sad appearance. His answer reveals the need for the people in Jerusalem and the king agrees to the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall. It is interesting to note that all the people who gathered to begin construction were not skilled labourers. Their vocations included a goldsmith, perfumer, ruler, gate-keeper, and High Priest. Women were also mentioned as co-workers. The construction crew were not necessarily specifically skilled for the task before them. Just because the job was not in an area of their expertise, it didn't excuse usefulness. We too need to remember that when duties need to be fulfilled. Frequently we rationalize any lack of involvement because it is just not in the field of our service, or we are too old, too young, or it is someone else's turn. The need is urgent, and requires stepping out of comfort zones and working together. Any breach to one is a breach to all. These people came together to serve the Lord with all their diverse skills and knowledge.

The people worked diligently, repairing the wall across from their homes. We must repair what is broken at home first. Our homes and our family our first priority. We have to start rebuilding walls of Christian distinctiveness inside our houses and with our people. Like the sunroom at our trailer drifting into disrepair, within the walls of our homes, cracks need attention to prevent complete destruction. If a wall is falling away, it will crumble completely without intervention to stop the eroding. 

What is it that matters to God that He has impressed on your heart to take action over? Just because it may not be your area of trained skill, your obedience to God's call will be met with His empowerment. Recognize that not everyone will buy into the plan of God. Nehemiah 3:5 tells us that there were some leaders who refused to work with the construction supervisors. Expect push-back, but do not let that stop you. It can be hard to move forward without the approval of some who rise in opposition against us, but we must be obedient to the Lord, even if it means walking alone.

Let's answer the call to repair our walls!

Gracious Hands

"And the gracious hand of our God protected us and saved us from enemies and bandits along the way." Ezra 8:31b

It was almost eight years ago now that I heard a story of a young missionary family connected with our church. Living in a remote area, the husband often has to walk through bush in the jungle to travel into a larger, populated city to do business. It is a long journey, and he must always be aware of possible ambush from the natives. He changes up his route so as not to become predictable and for added protection. He has not always escaped attack, but he does what he can to be wise and cautious.

When this story was shared with me, the very next day the Lord directed my reading to this verse in Ezra. It is quoted above from the New Living Translation, but other interpretations of this scripture include phrases that include how God delivered from "such as lay in wait by the way" (King James Version). The English Standard Version actually speaks of "ambushes by the way". God's Word addresses every situation! I still recall the Lord highlighting this verse to me immediately after hearing this story and I began praying for this young man and His family, that the gracious hand of God would be upon them, protecting from enemies and bandits.

Wondering where we all need to see the gracious hand of God on our lives today. Maybe you too are facing physical enemies. It is possible you sense that there are those who are stalking in the shadows just waiting for an opportunity to hinder your walk with the Lord. For others the "bandits" trying to assault might not be people, but thoughts or feelings that desire to hold us hostage and keep us from moving forward. How can we safeguard ourselves?

Bandits operate best in isolated areas. They are cowardly against community, seeking out those who are separated and solo. Attentive and watchful they want to bring hidden perils upon us, especially if we are doing life alone. But what if we are walking a road without the physical presence of another? Well, if we know the Lord as our Heavenly Father, the gracious hand of our God is on us.

Just now, while writing this reflection, I have experienced God's gracious hand. My husband was on a bit of an adventure today. Since his heart surgery four months ago he has for the most part been in the company of myself, a member of the family, or dear friends. So many have lovingly provided transportation to appointments out of town and the Lord has deeply ministered to us through the body of Christ. Today Gord wanted to travel to the hospital, on his own, via the Go Train. It was a little more than what I felt comfortable with, but I understood his desire to do something without a side-kick. I was most concerned about his return trip after a long day. Imagine my surprise when he sent me a text as he boarded the train to come home. God had placed a dear friend on the same train at the same time in the same car! The gracious hand of God was upon him, providing for the long ride home.

Maybe today you need to feel His hand upon you. A hand to wipe away tears. A hand to heal. A hand to mend a broken heart. A hand to remove fears. A hand to comfort. A hand to provide. A hand to shelter from the storm. A hand to gently correct. A hand to guide. A hand to deliver. A hand to encourage. A hand to hold.

Are you looking for His hand today? Father, shelter Your children in the hollow of Your hands. You have engraved us on Your palms. Your hands are not too short to save (Isaiah 59:1). The works of Your hands are faithful and just (Psalm 111:7). Mighty hands. Saving hands. Powerful hands. Enabling hands. Conquering hands. Nail-pierced hands. Bleeding hands. Loving hands. Gracious hands upon us.

Father, we fall into Your hands.

Antagonistic Agents

"Then the local residents tried to discourage and frighten the people of Judah to keep them from their work. They bribed agents to work against them to frustrate their plans." Ezra 4:4-5a

Ezra chapters 4-6 come on the heels of a time of praising the LORD. After God stirs the heart of King Cyrus of Persia, the Israelites have begun to rebuild the Temple of God and the construction project has them celebrating, clashing cymbals, singing songs and shouting about the goodness of the Lord and the faithfulness of His love. It's a time of great joy and happiness. Scripture tells us their partying could be heard far in the distance, that is, until the wind is knocked out of them by some naysayers.

Times of great praise often seem to precede new problems. I have some friends who are hesitant to really delight over anything good that occurs because they are certain disaster is soon to follow. Admittedly, it does sometimes seem that way. Something of great worth has happened and almost immediately some worry arises to steal the joy away.

The returning exiles of Judah are suddenly faced with their enemies. The Bible records that these foes "tried to discourage and frighten the people of Judah to keep them from their work." Discouragement is a deadly weapon in the hand of an enemy. Rebuilding the Temple is laborious work. Although excited to see this task beginning, no doubt the workers were physically depleted. Add in verbal attacks that hinder, deter and dampen spirits and even the most enthusiastic worker can start to find it challenging to remain positive and productive.

Ezra tells us that these adversaries also "bribed agents to work against them to frustrate their plans." Do you ever feel that someone has "bribed agents to work against" you and frustrate your plans? It is now not just words to dishearten, but contrary activity that is working overtime to prevent you from moving forward. Although there is no denying that discouragement and efforts to frustrate can have impact, regardless of how vigorous our opponents are, all will be vain efforts if they are trying to thwart the Lord's plans!

Following these attempts, "the enemies of Judah wrote a letter of accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem" (Ezra 4:6) and sent it to the current king. They were unrelenting. They didn't want to see the godly making any progress at all. A series of letters continue between all involved that include inquiries pertaining to the rebuilding of the Temple. It is discovered that the Israelites have done nothing wrong. They had been instructed in the first year of King Cyrus's reign to rebuild the Temple. Not only are their foes momentarily silenced, but ordered to help the Jews as they rebuild the Temple of God (Ezra 6:8). This dramatic turn of events makes me smile. God uses the hands of the antagonists to aid in the construction, and any "who violate the decree in any way will have a beam pulled from their house. Then they will be lifted up and impaled on it, and their house will be reduced to a pile of rubble." How's that for comeuppance!

When those whose mission in life appears to be to discourage, work against and frustrate us as we pursue our walk with Christ, trying to frighten us and keep us from the work God has called us to do, stand firm! Arm yourself with prayer warriors and encouragers who will uphold you and give support, believing alongside you with a confident hope that despite opposition, God's plans will be fulfilled. Not only will you still be standing at the end, but you will be stronger because of the victories made along the journey!

For encouragement to keep trusting in the Lord in a broken world filled with disappointments, "Still Standing: Following Jesus Even When It Hurts" by Lina Abujamra will inspire "hope in the hearts of followers of Jesus who have encountered suffering as they have pursued obedience to Christ." Moody Publishers; Copyright 2024