Clearer Vision

"Then I saw..." Revelation 21:1

Just as John shared his visions of "a new heaven and a new earth", I have been reflecting over all the Lord has shown us this past year as we have walked daily through His Word. We too have seen the Lord in the pages of Genesis to Revelation.

I believe Aaron Jeoffrey says it well in the lyrics of his song, "He Is". As we read the following, let's stop and pause. Have we met Him on each line and in each phrase as we have travelled a sacred journey this year?

He Is

In Genesis, He's the breath of life

In Leviticus, He's our High Priest

Numbers, The fire by night

Deuteronomy, He's Moses' voice

In Joshua, He is salvation's choice

Judges, law giver

In Ruth, the kinsmen-redeemer

First and Second Samuel, our trusted prophet

In Kings and Chronicles, He's sovereign

Ezra, the true and faithful scribe

Nehemiah, He's the rebuilder of broken walls and lives

In Esther, He's Mordecai's courage

In Job, the timeless redeemer

In Psalms, He is our morning song

In Proverbs, wisdom's cry

Ecclesiastes, the time and season

In the Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream

He is, He is, HE IS!

In Isaiah, He's Prince of Peace

Jeremiah, the weeping prophet

In Lamentations, the cry for Israel

Ezekiel, He's the call from sin

In Daniel, the stranger in the fire

In Hosea, He is forever faithful

In Joel, He's the Spirit's power

In Amos, the arms that carry us

In Obadiah, He's the Lord our Saviour

In Jonah, He's the great missionary

In Micah, the promise of peace

In Nahum, He is our strength and our shield

In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's pleading for revival

In Haggai, He restores a lost heritage

In Zechariah, our fountain

In Malachi, He is the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings

He is He is, HE IS!

In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, He is God-Man, Messiah

In the book of Acts, He is fire from heaven

In Romans, He's the grace of God

In Corinthians, the power of love

In Galatians, He is freedom from the curse of sin

Ephesians, our glorious treasure

Philippians, the servants heart

In Colossians, He's the Godhead Trinity

Thessalonians, our coming King

In Timothy, Titus, Philemon, He's our mediator and our faithful Pastor

In Hebrews, the everlasting covenant

In James, the one who heals the sick.

In First and Second Peter, He is our Shepherd

In John and in Jude, He is the lover coming for His bride

In the Revelation, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords

He is, He is, HE IS!

The Prince of Peace

The Son of Man

The Lamb of God

The great I AM

He's the Alpha and Omega

Our God and our Saviour

He is Jesus Christ the Lord and when time is no more

He is, He IS! *

As I have pondered all the ways that we have seen the Lord this year, another truth has been unveiled. We saw the Lord, but He also saw each one of us. He saw the days we awoke extra early, anticipating His Word with excitement. He saw the days when sun had almost set before we made time for Him, but we made time for Him. He saw each joy and sorrow. He heard each laugh and held each tear. He captured each thought and knew each word. He never took His eyes off of us for one second. He was our Beginning and End. Our January 1st to December 31st.

"As surely as the ones which passed - we've miles left to go

Despite your inconsistencies, Oh, child, I'll love you so

You'll one day hold this journal too, and think of where you've been

Ink-filled pages tying those beginnings to their ends

You'll find those same old words - they'll puzzle you again

Lined face will sigh and wonder,

'And I thought I loved You then.'" **

With this "goodbye" for now, embrace the foreign amazing of the New Year! "May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26)

Amen. So be it. Amen.

*"He Is" - sung by Aaron Jeoffrey; composed by Jeoffrey Benward & Jeff Silvey; produced by Jeff Silvey & Billy Simon; copyright 1994

** Final stanza, "The Journal" - Beth Moore; from "Things Pondered"; Broadman and Holman Publishers; copyright 2004

Momentary Rapture

"Come with Me..." Revelation 17:1

"From every stormy wind that blows

From every swelling tide of woes,

There is a clam, a sure retreat:

'Tis found beneath the mercy seat.

There is a place where Jesus sheds

The oil of gladness on our heads;

A place than all besides more sweet,

It is the blood-bought mercy seat."

The beautiful verses above are from the hymn, "From Every Stormy Wind That Blows" by Hugh Stowell. Written close to two centuries ago, these lyrics provide both an invitation and consolation. It has been recorded that when the First Baptist Church was engulfed in flames during the great Chicago fire, those exiting the building sang this song as a final benediction within its walls. They knew to whom to go and who called them to come with Me.

It was a year ago I heard God's call to "come with Me."

Come with Me, through the pages of My Word. Take a journey from Paradise Lost to Paradise Found. Beyond the people, events and history, meet Me afresh. Go deeper into My heart. Discover Me anew.

As the year draws to a close, the Lord is repeating His call. A call to come deeper still. Another invitation is being extended. His desire that He might refill me with His Spirit, renew me with His love, refresh me with His presence, refocus my priorities, revive my heart, restore my vision, and remove sinful thoughts and ways. He is calling me to walk closer, dig deeper, pause longer and with an unhurried heart, pray more.

We all need regular, repeated times of rest, refreshment and renewal. Life can rob us of life and we need to retreat into Christ. To the extent that we live in His presence, we are filled with His joy.

Just as God told Noah to build, Daniel to pray, Jonah to go, Joshua to march, Rahab to hide, Moses to leave, His call to us is come.

We first come to Him through our response to His invitation of salvation, but then we keep coming. As God continues to extend a welcome, we come to the manger, come to a further place of surrender, come in repentance and confession of daily sins, come to confidence in His promises, come to listening to His heartbeat, come to a deeper obedience, come to trust His plans, come kneeling before the King of Kings and LORD of Lords, come to a life of praise, come to being held in His embrace. After the initial "come to Me", there are continual "come with Me" requests as God leads us into all He has designed for us before the world was made. Coming with Him we encounter His grace, His forgiveness, His mercy, His love, His sovereignty, His sufficiency and we look with awe as we walk with the Creator of our hearts.

I encourage us all to keep answering the call to a daily, momentary rapture through intentional time with the Lord as He beckons, "come with Me".

*Hymn: "From Every Stormy Wind That Blows"; written by Hugh Stowell; composer Thomas Hastings; copyright 1828, from "The Winter's Wreath".

Bookends of Praise

"Praise the LORD!...Praise the LORD!" Psalm 148:1a, 14b

How did the recent gift opening go at your home? Is it a mad dash to just keep opening until the mystery of all the presents are revealed, or do you take time to consider each item received and enjoy the thoughtfulness of those who chose to remember you? Sometimes, out of necessity, in order to make certain time deadlines, we have to hurry this process along quicker than we desire, but that is when I like to return later, after the fun, noise and chaos has quieted, and sit with time to ponder the kindness of friends and the beautiful blessings they tangibly bestowed on me.

I sense that the Psalmist was acting similarly in Psalm 148. This beautiful worship song has bookends of praise. Beginning and ending with expressions of gratitude, the entire Psalm is one of thankfulness to the Lord. General declarations begin and end the writing, while the in-between specifically voices some of the reasons that the author's heart is rejoicing. He pauses to look again at the gifts received, acknowledging the blessings and applauding God for all He has done.

For the past six years now, I have daily written in a gratitude journal. Before going to bed every night, regardless of what has transpired in my day, I take time to record at least three things for which I will praise the Lord that day. Sometimes I write small, trying to squeeze in many more praises, while other days I have to pause a little longer and hunt a little harder to fill those blank lines that taunt me nothing worthy of thanks happened in the last twenty-four hours. Sometimes on the surface, they are right, but then my heart begins to dig deep and recall how the Lord has provided through some of the toughest times and my soul begins to lift sacrificial offerings, knowing I have been held and kept by the merciful, faithful hand of God.

From the first to final breath, just like this Psalm, our lives need to be filled with praise. Paul writes in Romans 14:8, "If we live, it's to honour the Lord. And if we die, it's to honour the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."

I have a young friend who used to sing with her mom and siblings. This family has incredible musical ability and their harmonies are absolutely gorgeous. The title track of one of their CD's was written by their Grandpa, Ross Seabrook, and was entitled, "simplesong". Based on the verse from Romans, the lyrics say:

"Come and sing a simple song of Jesus. Sing it like you never sang before.

Tell it everywhere; He is alive and cares. Give no place to doubting anymore.

If I live, praise the Lord. If I die, praise the Lord.

If I live or die, my only cry, Will be Jesus in me, praise the Lord."

I cannot tell you the number of times I have pulled that CD out and listened to this song when life was going well. It requires little effort to sing this truth loudly when the living is easy, but what about when uncertainties are scattered on the path? Can my voice find volume? Is this still a "simple song"?

At times along our journey, we come face to face with this reality, and at the crossroad of decision, a resolution needs to be made. It may not always be a "simple song", but God desires, and is worthy, of our ongoing praise. May we always bookend our day, our lives, in praise!

Removing Doubt from the Big Debate

"And they will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur... The smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night..." Revelation 14:10-11

No one ever wants to talk about Hell, but its existence is very real. It is interesting to me that most Christians have no problem accepting that God has prepared a very beautiful home in Heaven, but when it comes to Hell being an actual place, opinions differ. Although people debate, the Bible however gives no doubt. Hell is very real. It is an actual place where the unbelieving, wicked and unrepentant will go if they have not turned to the Lord.

Alistair Begg expressed, "If Jesus Christ is Lord, then I have to believe exactly what He taught. If we start from that premise, then we can't simply excise the hard parts out of it. We've got to take Him at His word. The most loving person who has ever lived spoke so straightforwardly about the awfulness of Hell." *

The website Got Questions shared the following references: "The punishment of the wicked dead in Hell is described in Scripture as 'eternal fire' (Matthew 25:41), 'unquenchable fire' (Matthew 3:12), 'shame and everlasting contempt' (Daniel 12:2), a place where 'the fire is not quenched' (Mark 9:48), a place of 'torment' and 'fire' (Luke 16:23-24), 'everlasting destruction' (2 Thessalonians 1:9), a place of 'burning sulfur' where 'the smoke of...torment rises forever and ever' (Revelation 14:10-11), and a 'lake of burning sulfur' where the wicked are 'tormented day and night forever and ever' (Revelation 20:10)." God's message is clear.

The writers continues: "The punishment of the wicked in Hell is as never-ending as the bliss of the righteous in Heaven. Jesus Himself indicates that punishment in Hell is just as everlasting as life in Heaven (Matthew 25:46). The wicked are forever subject to the fury and the wrath of God. Those in Hell will acknowledge the perfect justice of God and the lordship of Jesus Christ, the Saviour they rejected (Psalm 76:10; Philippians 2:10-11)." **

I have often heard the argument that a loving God could ever make a place as horrific as Hell. Loving is not tolerance. Loving is not closing eyes to evil. Loving is just. God's very nature is love. Those who question God's love in sending people to Hell, assume that action is unloving on God's part. What about the one who has chosen all their life to live apart from God? If we say we would lovingly excuse their wickedness, we are in essence saying that we are more loving than God. Let me ask you: Have you sacrificed your life to the point of death for anyone recently?

The one "being sent" to Hell is not an innocent bystander. They are not a "passive victim of circumstance". God has given us all free will, and anyone who chooses not to respond to the gift of salvation is choosing their own eternal destination.

Hell is the response of God's wrath to the wickedness in the world. In Romans 1, Paul writes very clearly that no one has any excuse, because God has made the truth very plain. Those who continue to intentionally reject the truth, by their own choice, would rather turn away from God and go to Hell, than turn to Him.

Yes, Hell is real. It is a place of torment and punishment that lasts forever and ever, with no end. Praise God that, through Jesus, we can escape this eternal fate (John 3:16, 18, 36).

*Alistair Begg quote: https://youtu.be/ycrg9Q8x8dc, accessed 11/7/24.

** Got Questions: https://www.gotquestions.org/hell-real-eternal.html; https://www.gotquestions.org/loving-God-send-someone-hell.html

Glimpses of God

"Then in heaven, the Temple of God was opened and the Ark of His covenant could be seen inside the Temple." Revelation 11:19a

If I am being totally honest, the book of Revelation can intimidate me. Although I have read it multiple times and sat under some tremendous teaching as Pastors have used exegesis to explain passages, there is still much that I do not fully comprehend or understand. There are verses that excite me. some descriptions frighten me. Others confuse me. But today I was drawn to a sentence that has given me so much peace.

"Then in heaven, the Temple of God was opened and the Ark of His covenant could be seen inside the Temple." Amidst all the dramatic scenes and the variety of characters that appear in this final book of the New Testament, a very key fact is shared before any more of the events unfold. John tells us that he sees the Ark of God's covenant. Why is this so important for us to stop and consider? Do you recall what the Ark of God's covenant symbolized? John in essence saw what our hearts need to hold on to more than anything else to carry us through these unexplainable happenings. He is reminding us of the presence and power of God.

Friends, I do not know what the year has held or is holding for you at this moment, but whatever we are facing God desires us to know that His presence and power are with us. Victory is promised. Maybe not the victory for which we have been praying, but triumph nonetheless. When we are walking through dark and difficult days, we desperately need to know that we are not alone. God graciously gives us glimpses of Himself that enable us to keep going.

The Ark of the covenant also contained grace markers, visual reminders of God's provision. These items were the tablets of testimony, a jar of manna, and Aaron's staff that budded. Each item gave witness of God's faithfulness, care and protection. Like the Israelites, we are a forgetful people, and even with these evidences in the Ark of the ways God cares for us, over time, what was precious once, can lose its true significance.

When we face exceptionally troublesome times, trusting God through each trial is not easy, but it is the only way. You see, the Christian life is not about us trying to control and cope on our own. Even more than living for God, He desires to be living through us. At the point of salvation God's presence and power become available to us.

Whatever we are currently navigating, we can rest in God's presence filling us and His power strengthening us. You see, God promises that He will never leave us, and Psalm 146:6 tells us that "He keeps every promise forever." We can believe and trust in His every word.

Today I am praying for those who are weary. I am lifting up those who need to see, as John saw, a vision of hope through the cracks of light in your dark. I am asking God to somehow show you that you are not alone, even in the moments and on the days that it really feels like you have been abandoned. I am thinking of those who are physically, emotionally or spiritually depleted. You feel drained of every ounce of energy. I am praying that you know God sees you. run to Him. He wants to uphold you with His power. Following Jesus is not a journey for the faint of heart, but the Lord longs to carry you and provide for your every need. Through the heartache, chaos and confusion may He personally give you the needed visual reminder of who He is so that your trust remains.

Will You Be There?

"After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, 'Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!'" Revelation 7:9-10

Do you ever wonder what Heaven will be like? Do you sometimes imagine the incredible awe of being in God's presence with all of His family? Recently while enjoying dinner with my son, his wife and their children, our little three-year-old grandson Matthew suddenly said, "Uncle Larry is with God." Uncle Larry went home to be with Jesus almost a year ago, but Matthew often asks after him and misses our times together. He then began to further elaborate, telling us how God is preparing a big house for him. He started to ask everyone around our table if we were each going to be at the house in Heaven with God. Thankfully everyone around our table that day could respond affirmatively. Matthew became very excited about everyone living together as a big, happy family!

In John's vision of Heaven, he writes about the diversity that will fill our eternal home as believers. The fulfillment of the Great Commission will be evidenced when every nation, tribe, people and language surround the throne in Heaven, worshipping and praising God. I think the closest we ever come to experiencing this on earth is at some of the larger evangelical rallies. The crowds that fill the stadiums are from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and countries. Thousands of people from all walks of life come together for a common purpose. With the different expressions of worship, we enjoy the privilege of seeing the indescribable beauty of how other cultures convey their enjoyment in the Lord.

I am so very thankful that the local church of which I am a member is a multiethnic congregation. This really excites and prepares my heart for gathering at God's throne one day. Multitudes that no one can number will stand together praising the Lord from every country around the globe. There will be an uncommon unity, never experienced before, in its most perfect form. Our one goal will be to worship and proclaim, "Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!"

With a shared passion, those who have responded to Christ's invitation of salvation will all stand side by side, along with the angels, in the very presence of God to glorify Him. There is no other way to be part of this joyous time of celebration. Salvation comes from God alone through Christ alone. Acts 4:12 presents this message so clearly, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Heaven is the future home for those who have personally acknowledged their sins, sought forgiveness from the Lord, received Christ, and declared their decision to walk with God all the days of their life. There are only five more days in this calendar year, and you may have read the previous 360 writings as just pieces of literature, written by a friend, family member, acquaintance or stranger, remaining unmoved by the only message that will promise you everlasting life. You may have heard the gospel explained countless times and still resist or sit unchanged and unrepentant. Friend, today is the day. Do not delay this decision another moment. No one, except God, knows when our lives will come to an end. Just two days ago, a dear friend experienced an unexpected loss. Don't wait. Will you be part of the vast crowd, too great to count, dressed in white, waving palm branches in joyful recognition of our Saviour? I can not express it enough. There is no other way to Heaven. My longing is to see each one reading this in Heaven one day for all eternity. Please do not miss this opportunity to respond.

*For further conversation please email: joybells.brown@yahoo.com

Down From His Glory!

"Open the heavens, LORD, and come down." Psalm 144:5a

When my twin sister and I were younger, one of the piano duets we played the most frequently was the old gospel song, "Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul". Heaven coming down to earth in the form of a baby. Today we celebrate our Saviour's birth. He left the glory of Heaven so that we could experience His glory in our hearts.

The lyrics of other songs come to mind. "King of Heaven come down, King of Heaven come now, Let Your glory reign shining like the day, King of Heaven come." But maybe the one that brings the clearest message is "Down From His Glory". If you are not familiar with this beautiful song written by William E. Booth-Clibborn in 1921, may these precious words be the prayer we lift with thankful hearts for God's most precious gift to us. Merry Christmas!

Down from His glory

Every-living story

My God and Savior came

And Jesus was His name

Born in a manger

To His own a stranger

A man of sorrows, tears 

And agony

What condescension

Bringing us redemption

That in the dead of night

Not one faint hope in sight

God gracious, tender

Laid aside His splendor

Stooping to woo, to win

To save my soul

Without reluctance

Flesh and blood His substance

He took the form of man

Revealed the hidden plan

Oh, glorious mystery

Sacrifice of Calvary

And now I know Thou art

The Great I AM

Oh, how I love Him!

How I adore Him!

My breath, my sunshine

My all in all

The great Creator

Became my Savior

And all God's fullness

Dwelleth in Him.

Faithful Until Death

"...hold tightly to what you have until I come." Revelation 2:25b

Reading the first three chapters of the book of Revelation, repeatedly there is encouragement to remain faithful, hold on and be victorious until the end. the call to persevere and not abandon our faith is clear. It seems to stir in us the urgency to strengthen our resolve and not stray from the truth. Revelation 2:10 says, "If you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life." Faithful until death.

Our track record for such commitment is not stellar. At the first sign of hardship, we abandon things pretty quickly. Will we stand for Christ in the face of opposition and persecution? If encouraged to renounce our faith or face death, would we recant our belief?

My mind goes to both past and modern-day martyrs. Polycarp, one of the most famous Christian martyrs, found his home in Smyrna, the very church receiving one of these admonitions. When given the choice to reject Christ and save his life or be bound and burned at the stake, Polycarp replied, "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury. How then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?"

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, whose involvement in the resistance of Hitler, along with his strong Christian convictions, was executed by the Nazis in 1945.

Many have no doubt seen the film "End of the Spear", depicting the life of missionary Nate Saint who was killed in 1956 while trying to minister to the Waodani people.

Text books are filled with examples of others whose faith and courage never wavered in darkest of times, paying the ultimate price for their uncompromising commitment. Their lives stand as a testimony to us today, and cause us to search our hearts, praying for the same resolve in the face of similar circumstances.

Too often we would rather blend in with the culture and not be noticed, never risking the possibility of being approached about our faith or being on the receiving end of animosity because of our faith. With nothing different evidenced in our lives, we are never challenged by unbelievers. Like the church in Laodicea described in Revelation 3, we are lukewarm, going through the motions without deep conviction. We need to rekindle our lost love. We will only remain faithful and hold tightly until our final breath when we remember what Christ has done for us. Our calling is the same today as it was for the church in Smyrna. We are to hold fast until the end, no matter what the cost.

Remaining steadfast in faith when forced to choose between our life or our belief in Christ, is a choice we pray the Holy Spirit would empower us to respond to with strong, unwavering confidence in that moment. As a final act of love and devotion to the Lord, each Christ-follower longs to face such a situation with enduring resolve and proclaim with assurance that I am His and He is mine. It is possible those final words would be the last declaration we might ever speak. Not denying or betraying our love for Jesus can place us in precarious situations, but Christ's desire is for us to "hold tightly to what we have until He comes."

The only reason we each have breath today is because of Jesus. Because thousands of years ago there was a manger miracle. On this eve of the day we celebrate His birth, may our minds fill with anticipation of His arrival. If we know Him as Lord and Saviour of our lives, ask Him to "strengthen what remains", our faith that often falters, and remember that "all who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before My Father and His angels that they are mine." (Revelation 3:2a, 5)

Living On the Edge of Overwhelm

"When I am overwhelmed, You alone know the way I should turn..." Psalm 142:3a

Two days ago, I was chatting with a precious young friend online. I actually message her daily. She is like a little sister to me. She is the sounding-board for each devotional I have written this year. She provides encouragement and feedback, and her life and family bless me more than they will ever know. I cannot thank the Lord enough for inviting her into my life thirteen years ago. During the course of our conversation, I mentioned that Christmas, at that moment, was only 4 days away. She admitted in her response that its closeness scared her a little. With five children at home, a very active household, and all that still needed to be accomplished, it can appear overwhelming. It is possible that many of us feel overcome by all that still needs to be completed in less than 48 hours before Christmas Day.

The feeling of being overwhelmed is one of being submerged by thoughts or feelings that paralyze us. These can speak and consume us so fully that we lack productivity, unable to do anything and incapable of finding rest. The perceived demands around us seem stronger, our emotions heavier and our need bigger than our ability to process and provide. 

As we struggle to control the uncontrollable, fear, anger, impatience and discouragement are the fruit of our feelings, pushing us to give up and quit. Life is just too much. Everyone is trying to take a piece from us and our hearts and souls cannot find the peace we long to experience as we are pulled in every direction.

Sometimes we are overwhelmed because of choices we have made. In an effort to do all and be all, we have said 'yes' to far too many commitments. Each one sounded marvelous at the time of invitation, and there is no denying we would truly love to attend every gathering, go to every concert, extend hospitality to every friend, but as the expectations and pressures arise, like lava in a volcano waiting to release, it is impossible to contain and control an overflowing schedule. Individually each request extended is great. Collectively they overburden.

Other times, to no fault of our own, circumstances and situations have arisen, piling one on top of the next. Like building a tower with children's blocks, we know there will be a final placement, that one "brick" that topples everything and finds us down on the ground fighting to get back up.

Here is the beautiful promise of hope when life is crashing around us and within us, when our hearts feel they are holding more than we are able, "When I am overwhelmed, You alone know the way I should turn." Our confidence comes in knowing that God knows the path to take. Does that speak rest to your heart? It should. When the weight of daily living is threatening to smother us, God knows the way out.

When we are living on the edge of overwhelm, we must rest our hearts in the Lord. David writes how God is the only One who knows the way for us to proceed. But here's the incredible truth. He not only guides our steps, but also orders our stops. Have we considered that a cancelled event, inclement weather that forces us to remain home, or some other detour or delay is the gift that creates margin for our racing souls when we feel at the end of our rope? It is at this very place, the end of ourselves, unable to give, go do, that God directs us as He fills us with Himself. Today may He quiet and calm our hearts as we find rest in Him.

Drifting or Dwelling

"Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips. Don't let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don't let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong." Psalm 141:3-4

Drifting. How easy it is to drift. A continuous slow movement from one place to another. It is often in such slight increments that it happens unaware. 

I recall reading Katie Davis Majors book "Safe All Along", which begins with a camping trip. She and some of her family were swimming and kayaking in the Nile River. Katie writes, "The thing about rivers is that you can't possibly tell how strong the current is until you're in it." Warning signs were posted along the banks of the river, but her family were strong swimmers, and up for an adventure. Rivers, she says, are also not predictable, and around the bend of the bank, the water shifted. Gentle drifting became crashing waves. Katie and one of her daughters had drifted into a racing current that carried them away. Thankfully their story ends well, but not all drifting has a positive outcome.

Marshall Segal writes, "The danger of drifting, spiritual or otherwise, is in just how subtle and comfortable drifting can feel. Often we don't even notice it's happening at all." It's the thousand little, sometimes unintentional steps, that become bigger over time. Distractions. Busyness. The small glance. Only a few seconds on the website. Drifting always begins in our hearts.

We can only address a drift if we acknowledge that our life is deviating from what God desires. Without this awareness and acceptance, managing drifting becomes a challenge. Faking piety, (which becomes needed to keep living the charade), is exhausting and leads to spiritual apathy. 

Regardless of how long we have walked with the Lord, none of us are immune to drifting. It can happen so casually. "The currents of the still-sinful soul, weathered by constant waves of temptation, still pull us out to sea." And as Katie wrote above, the strength of any current can be unknown until we are in it.

When we drift, we have lost focus on who Jesus is. Other things would stop being an attraction to us if our eyes were fixed on Christ. Instead of drifting, the Lord is so worthy of our dwelling. Safety comes through abiding in Him. "Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." Psalm 37:3. When our hearts are drifting instead of dwelling, we are constantly unsettled. We are always looking to the next thing, but God invites us to dwell in the land.

When we dwell with God moment by moment our swirling thoughts are captured by God's goodness, faithfulness and provision. Protection from drifting involves choosing to be present with the Lord and practicing His presence.

Here are some warning signs of a heart drifting from the Lord. Examine yourself and make sure you are not drifting in your relationship with God: little or no time reading His Word; neglecting to pray; unaffected by the Good News of the gospel message; distancing yourself from other believers; not relying on the power of the Holy Spirit; increasingly compromising your commitment; unrepentant; refusing to trust God; and excusing sin. If any of these describe you, recognize the drift, repent, return and renew your relationship with the Lord, choosing instead to dwell with Him.

Book: "Safe All Along" - Katie Davis Majors; Multnomah; copyright 2023

Covered By His Mercy

"O LORD, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle." Psalm 140:7 (ESV)

If you are facing some kind of obstacle in your life right now, raise your hand. Life is a continual battle. We are constantly facing challenges and struggles. Navigating difficulties requires effort and resilience. We grow weary and exhausted. We feel stressed and overwhelmed. 

The battle is big for a reason. God desires to show Himself strong on our behalf.

In June of 2011 I was facing a battle. Having started chemotherapy treatments for stage 3, grade 3 ovarian cancer, one of the inevitable side effects was beginning to manifest itself. The Lord was calling me to another surrender, and this time it would be visible, unlike some of the other heart surrenders He had already asked of me. 

As much as I had tried to prepare myself for this relinquishment, I was not ready. Running my hands over my head and finding my fists filled with my crowning glory, I knew it was time. The following day I would offer another sacrifice to the Lord...my hair. At 10:00am I would sit in a chair and a transformation would take place. It was a very tough letting go. Although I had tried to prepare myself by getting my hair cut short weeks prior, and being pro-active in purchasing a wig, my tears indicated that I was still not ready to face this consequence of chemo head on. The time had come too soon.

It was then that I received an email from my Lead Pastor, Dr. Rev. Rick Baker. To be honest, I do not think I had ever noticed Psalm 140:7 before. Pastor Rick encouraged me that the Lord would be my covering. God would cover my head in the day of battle. Outwardly my appearance would change. No longer would auburn locks grace my head. It would become obvious, with a simple glance my way, the battle I was fighting, but I was not fighting alone.

I remember praying that more than the visual difference, observers would be drawn to a more startling makeover. A heart growing stronger. A confidence in my Saviour. A peace that passes understanding. A surrender to His will. A trust in the unknown. An intentional choice to love the Lord and keep holding His hand as I walked this path He had chosen for me. God promises to cover our heads in the day of battle.

This is the "alive and active" work of God's Word (Hebrews 4:12). It is also why we can never stop turning to this treasure. We hold an incredible resource in our hands when we open His Word. It is not just a book, but it holds the answers, guidance, wisdom and truth that we need to walk us through each day of life. Its well-worn pages tell the story of a child of God who continually seeks to know Him and finds direction for daily living. As our Young Adults Pastor has written, "A life immersed in Scripture is a life well-lived." (Pastor Nick)

As our battles rage on, God is not finished. Not being sufficient in ourselves, we need to pray for God's strength to sustain us. As we take our places on the front lines, the power of darkness and spiritual forces of evil are wielding weapons against us, but they cannot stand against the Lord. He is the strength of our salvation, the Sovereign LORD, the strong One who rescues us and protects us on the day of battle. Know with confidence today that He is covering you by His mercy.

The Real Deal

"Our actions show that we belong to the truth..." 1 John 3:19

It hit me so suddenly late last night that I could not believe I had failed to see it. I had done something so unintentionally that now caused me to worry I had upset someone. Early this morning I wrote to the one impacted by my actions of oblivion and expressed my sorrow for neglecting to consider them. They responded so quickly and with such grace. They shared that they had not even noticed my unconscious oversight and encouraged me not to think any further about it. But think on it I will, not to dwell on my thoughtlessness, but Lord willing to spur me on to act better given the next opportunity. Oh how I long to live Jesus better before others, so that they see Him and not me.

Our activity testifies to the truth we hold dear. Over twenty years ago our lead Pastor at that time, Dr. Rev. Rick Baker, shared a sermon entitled, "Are You the Real Deal?" In his message he shared four proofs that serve as tests of authenticity. We find all these proofs in 1 John.

1. Right Choices: The Moral Test (1 John 2:3-6)

Too often our tendency is to be selective in our obedience. We do what is easy and convenient or what seems "important". We obey "Thou shall not murder" and "Thou shall not steal", but what about other calls to obedience? Do we obey in the area of tithing? Have we considered whether we are stealing another's reputation? Each act of obedience moves us one step closer to Jesus.

2. Right Love: The Social Test (1 John 2:7-17)

A selfless love saves us from stumbling (2:10). A seductive love leads us to sin (2:15-17). A couple of tests for true love are found in answering the following two questions: How easily am I offended? And How quickly do I diminish other's accomplishments? How telling it is if we are slighted and the slightest remark. We also might not belittle or discredit the achievements of others openly, but suddenly sharing all our personal accolades devalues the one who reached a milestone. A one-upmanship is not the right love.

3. Right Belief: The Doctrinal Test (1 John 2:18-28).

We are to remain in community (2:19); remain in original teaching (2:24); and remain in Christ (2:24, 27). Are we gathering with God's people, staying in the truth we have been taught, and abiding in the Lord? A friend's granddaughter often tells her grandma, "Stay right there". This precious little one does not want her grandma to wander away. God is telling us to hold to His truth and "stay right there".

4. Right Living: The Parentage Test (1 John 2:29-3:10)

We should show evidence of some family resemblance. The DNA of God is placed in us at salvation and it cannot be removed. Do our lives reflect our Father?

Jesus obeyed the Father, loved people, believed doctrine and lived right. Our life is the best proof of Christianity. Are we the "real deal"?

(Thoughts today taken from old sermon note journals.)

With All My Heart

"I give You thanks, O LORD, with all my heart..." Psalm 138:1

As I opened God's Word this morning, the phrase above, written by David, was the first I read. It hit me so powerfully that I burst into tears. There are times when His presence is so palpable, our hearts overflow in wordless worship.

Giving thanks to God with all our heart. I recall years ago attending the "Walk Thru The Bible" seminar and during the course of the day we were taught that Saul had "no heart" for God, Solomon had a "half heart" for the Lord, but David had a "whole heart" commitment. We really all fall under one of those three categories. We either do not know the Lord as our personal Saviour, "no heart", we are believers but not living fully devoted to following Him, "half heart", or we have surrendered our everything for His anything with hearts completely surrendered to Him, "whole heart".

1 Kings 14:8 tells us that David was a man who followed God with all his heart. He had unwavering commitment to the Lord. It does not mean that he was perfect, but his heart was in such a place that he prioritized the Lord and when he failed, genuine repentance followed. 

Deuteronomy 6:5 instructs us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and strength. God desires wholehearted devotion, yet 2 Chronicles 16:9 implies that this kind of love for the Lord is rarely found. "The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." God is constantly looking for hearts that are abandoned to Him. Fully committed. No compromise. Completely His.

How I long for all my praise, thanks, love, ministry, entire life to be a whole heart expression to the Lord. In humility I fall to my knees knowing the times my "no heart" or "half heart" have directed my thoughts, emotions and actions. As I envision His eyes moving to and fro, do they ever stop and consider me...or you? Do our lives ever receive His pause? He longs to show Himself strong on our behalf. "It remains to be seen what God will do with a man who gives himself up wholly to Him." (Henry Varley to D. L. Moody)

As this year is moving quickly towards its end, we can resolve today, at this moment to come to the Lord with our whole heart, with either new or renewed devotion. A whole heart gives thanks, trusts, honours and praises the Lord at all times. I think that is why my tears flowed so instantly today. I long for my heart so desperately to follow the Lord in this way, yet see all the times I have failed. This struggle with sin will no doubt continue but God's love for us remains steadfast and His grace unending.

Back in the Fall, the Toronto Mass Choir visited our church. Just prior to the evening closing the choir director shared a short song with us that she had composed. The lyrics are repetitive and simple, but profound, expressing the deepest longing of my heart. How I pray you too can sing them and mean them. (Although I could have chosen a shorter video version of this song, the ten-minute link below is not too long for a heart that is fully devoted. Your response to the length is very telling. A whole heart praises the Lord with every waking moment.)

"Let all that I am praise the Lord

Let all that I am praise His holy name

Let all that I am praise the Lord

I won't forget the good things He does for me

With my whole heart, with my whole heart

With my whole heart, I will praise Him."

"With My Whole Heart" - written by Karen Burke; Micah Music; copyright 2011

A Bowl of Popcorn

"The LORD of Heaven's Armies sent me this message in reply:" Zechariah 7:4

Reading Zechariah 7-10 this morning God spoke so many messages to my heart. Kernels of truth were popping up throughout each chapter. Choosing just one verse was impossible. Like the salty goodness and flavour of a bowl of freshly made popcorn, I could not stop at just a taste. Please indulge me as I share several verses that drew my attention today.

Pop!

"During these seventy years of exile, when you fasted and mourned in the summer and in early autumn, was it really for Me that you were fasting? And even now in your holy festivals, aren't you eating and drinking just to please yourselves?" (Zechariah 7:5b-6)

Question: Are we doing the right thing for the wrong reason? Remembering that man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart, what is the motive for all that we do? Man? Self? God?

Pop!

"All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God's people. But is it impossible for Me? says the LORD of Heaven's Armies." (Zechariah 8:6b)

Question: When situations appear beyond any ability to change, do we hold fast to the knowledge that with God all things are possible?

Pop!

"Be strong and finish the task!" (Zechariah 8:9a)

Question: How many obediences do we start and abandon? Is the Lord calling us to complete a task?

Pop!

"Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and source of blessing." (Zechariah 8:13b)

Question: Do we realize any time God rescues us that we become both a symbol and a source of blessing? Through His deliverance we represent the Lord's blessing in our lives to others, and we also are used as a reservoir of blessing to others. Are we both a representative and reservoir, a symbol and a source of blessing?

Pop!

"Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you." (Zechariah 8:23b)

Question: Could that request be asked of us? Is there such clear evidence of Christ in us that others would long to spend time by our side in order to get to know the Lord?

Pop!

"Look, your King is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet He is humble, riding on a donkey - riding on a donkey's colt." (Zechariah 9:9b)

Question: Christ's arrival changes everything! Do we see the coming of our King and Messiah in Zechariah's prophecy?

Pop!

"Come back to the place of safety, all you prisoners who still have hope!" (Zechariah 9:12a)

Question: Christ is our hope, and we can never stop believing what He can do! Do we fall prey to discouragement or are we prisoners of hope?

Pop!

"They will pass safely through the sea of distress...By My power I will make My people strong..." (Zechariah 10:11a, 12a)

Question: Do we need reminders of God's deliverance from distress by the power of His hand?

Each "bite" has given food for thought. Praying His Word blesses and encourages all our hearts today. Pop!

Seasons of Small Things

"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand." Zechariah 4:10a

Many times, we use this verse as a way of encouraging others who begin a new endeavour. Don't despise small beginnings. The Lord rejoices to see the work begin. I am not denying the truth stated here. I have no doubt that God delights when He sees us walking in obedience to a task that He has called us to pursue, but there is so much more to the understanding of this text. 

For Zerubbabel, the temple had laid in ruins for twenty years. Twenty years of living "small things". We see our "small things" enduring endlessly, while a year is like a day to the Lord. What we must remember is that God is doing many things in our seasons of small things. We need to look at the present instead of straining for bigger things to come. Times of "small things" are not a punishment, nor has God forgotten us. Small beginning seasons are preparation. They are opportunities for faithfulness. 

Do you recall the parable of the shrewd manager in Luke 16? A steward has mismanaged his employer's money and is going to lose his job. He proceeds to cleverly cut deals, reducing the debts of those who owe him, foreseeing a need to have friends who will welcome him in the days ahead when he will be out of work. He manipulates and maneuvers the situation so that others will feel obligated to help him in the future. The punchline of the parable reads: "If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities."

God is always watching how we handle "little things". Zechariah's instruction not to despise small beginnings is a reprimand to us all. If we are honest, we hate slow starts and small beginnings, but God has a purpose even when we do not understand. The "small" we are walking right now is not a mistake. If only we could embrace it, surrender to it, enjoy it and trust God in it. Instead, we often try to yield bigger results with our own efforts, yet the prophet has already spoken just a few verses prior, "It is not by force, not by strength, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies."

When will we learn that it is God who causes all things to grow? Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:7, "So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." It is always God who brings an increase to anything we do. Fruitfulness in ministry happens when we finally understand this truth which then enables us to serve contentedly wherever God has placed us.

It is always the enemy who stirs our hearts to dissatisfaction in the progress. You see, Satan is very aware of the work of the Lord. He knows that small things surrendered to the hands of God are great things. While we are despising small beginnings, Satan is fearing them.

Little works done with great faith are so pleasing to the Lord. God never measures success by size. Contrary to the saying, "Go big or go home", it is really not the way the Lord works in our lives. We do not have to go big to impress God. Can God do "exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask or imagine"? Yes, and we love to quote that verse from Ephesians 3:20, but let's finish it together: "according to His power that works in us." It is not about strategizing but allowing the Lord to empower whatever task He asks of us and watching in awe as He divinely blesses our obedience.

In our longing to do big things for God, may we not overlook the value He places on small things. A small jar of oil (2 Kings 4), a small mustard seed (Matthew 17), a small lunch (Matthew 14), small children (Luke 18), a small offering (Luke 21). God is rejoicing as you hold the "plumb line" in your hand and begin the work, trusting Him completely with the outcome.

"I Am With You"

"Then Haggai, the LORD's messenger, gave the people this message from the LORD: 'I am with you, says the LORD!'" Haggai 1:13

Yesterday my nephew, Pastor Daniel, shared a beautiful "manger message"* in the morning at church. One of his first reminders to us as a congregation, was God's presence with us from Luke 1:26-29. Knowing God is with us should bring us comfort. He shared an illustration of being in a situation where we might feel the responsibility of overseeing the outcome, until someone with more seniority walks into the room and we give a huge sigh of relief. The weight of the decisions no longer falls to us, and everything is going to be OK.

The prophet Haggai gave this message from the LORD to the people, "I am with you." God's presence with us should calm our hearts and strengthen our spirits, but like Mary when the angel shared the same news with her, it may also trouble us. When God encourages us with His presence, there is usually more ahead. He is reminding us of the peace and power He brings that will enable us to face something we are very aware we cannot handle on our own.

We know from scripture that Mary also responded with awe and amazement. Has hearing that God is with us become too commonplace? How seriously do we take the fact that God is with us? This morning, through an advent devotional** I am reading this year, I was reminded of a familiar old Christmas carol, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." There is a line in the lyrics that says, "Pleased as man with man to dwell. Jesus, our Immanuel." Not only is God with us now through the coming of Christ into the world, but because of the presence of the Holy Spirit, Christ is in us. It has always been God's desire to dwell with His people. His name, "Immanuel" portrays this truth so beautifully. "God with us."

If we know the Lord as our personal Saviour, He is with us. He is not just with a few chosen, favoured followers. He found Mary, a simple girl, living in a remote place. He can find us in the little corners of our world. We cannot qualify or disqualify ourselves from God's presence. We all find favour with God because of His undeserved, unmerited, unconditional grace.

I love the next verse in Haggai. The prophet continues with this explanation: "So the LORD sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the enthusiasm of Jeshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of God's people." (1:14a) Maybe that is what is missing in our response to God's presence. Our hearts need to be enlivened with enthusiasm for this truth in a fresh new way. Like the governor, the high priest and the remnant of God's people, we need the Lord to give spark to our spirits and realize afresh what it means that He is with us.

Christ's "withness" is really the heart of the gospel message. It is in this season of Christmas that we take time to reflect on the love that compelled Christ to come and bridge the gap created by our sin so that we can know Him personally. Once we know Him as Saviour, there is nothing that can separate us from His presence (see Romans 8).

Remember in every situation God is with us. Rest in that truth today. If you have casually forgotten the magnitude of this reality as a believer, ask the Lord to infuse you with the renewed enthusiasm with which He moved the hearts of His people in Haggai's day. The living God is living in you. How will that change your life today?

*Daniel's message can be heard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paezv6X9-eU

**Advent Devotional: "Prepare Him Room: 28 Ways to Embrace the Spirit of Christmas"; author Darlene Schacht; Publisher: Time-Warp Wife Ministries; copyright 2024

Songs In The Night

"Oh, praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, you who serve at night in the house of the LORD. Lift your hands toward the sanctuary, and praise the LORD. May the LORD, who made heaven and earth, bless you from Jerusalem." Psalm 134

This short little Psalm of only three verses completes the fifteen Psalms of Ascent recorded in scripture. It was a Psalm of blessing for the Levites who served as Temple watchmen. The worshippers would ascend the hill where the Temple was located and see the watchmen who protected it day and night. They saw the watchman's work as an act of praise to God, done reverently and responsibly.

Our work should also be done in praise to God. We need to honour Him by the quality of our work and attitude of service we bring to it. Just as the travelers had reached their destination physically and responded in worship, all our journey and journey ends should be filled with praise.

It does not escape my notice that these servants were working at night. Night-time. Probably the hardest time to be alert and productive physically. But what about nights of the soul? How easy is it to praise and lift hands in worship during the dark seasons of life?

"It is comparatively easy to bless the Lord in the daytime, when sunshine lies like His smile on nature, and all the world is full of music, and our lives flow on quietly and peacefully.  It does not take much grace to bless the Lord then. But when night has draped the earth and hushed the homes of men to solitude, and we stand amid the shadows that lurk around us in the sanctuary, facing the inexplicable mysteries of Providence, of history, of life and death; then the song falters on our lips, and chokes our utterance." (Meyer)

"One of the dearest treasures in your darkness will be the God-son He will give you if you'll receive it. To stand in the presence of the Lord when you'd rather go to bed and never get up, and to praise Him in the night when taunting voices tell you to curse Him - these things are nothing less than a battle cry of victory."

We need to praise the Lord when we least feel like it. The moment we feel defeated is the very second we need to begin to praise. When we have the slightest inclination to praise, is when we need to lift our voice the most. "A true Psalmist praises his way to victory, knowing it will come because the praise itself renders the first blow to his enemy's brow."

"Worship has endless side effects in the life of the everyday psalmist. Among the, it exalts God to the highest place, thereby relieving the sojourner of the backbreaking burden of ego It defeats our enemy. It answers grace with gratitude. And it ends in joy." "Yes, as the psalmist said joy cometh in the morning (Ps 30:5 KJV), but the very anticipation invites it into our night."

Today, we can invite joy into our night watches by lifting praise, knowing God's presence with us and anticipating His arrival. Over 2000 years ago Christ's light burst into the darkness, and as we worship He is still changing darkness to light.

All quotes not identified: Stepping Up, a journey through the Psalms of Ascent; Beth Moore; Lifeway Publishing; copyright 2007

Rescue 911

"So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials..." 2 Peter 2:9a

Yesterday my sweet daughter-in-love forwarded me a couple of adorable videos. My precious grandson Matthew and his cute cousin Noah were "playing fireman". Thanks to Noah's "tickle trunk" (for anyone who remembers the "Mr. Dress-Up" television series), Noah had a couple of costumes which enabled them each to play the part well. Dressed and ready, they were responding to emergency 911 calls and dragging blankets as hoses. They successfully put out fire after fire with determination. I love seeing the imagination of these little boys. If only all our rescue needs could be imaginary. Our emergency 911 calls are very real, and sometimes it seems like the response time takes so long. 

In Peter's second letter, likely written from prison, and being in very real need of a rescue himself, he writes such wonderful reminders and words of encouragement. In referencing the judgment of the wicked he highlights a couple of examples that we need to remember.

His first person of interest is Noah. Despite the flood that proclaimed God's judgment on the world, the Lord preserved Noah and his family. God guarded Noah and kept him from perishing. Even when surrounded by worldly wickedness, the Lord's hand is on those who believe and obey His word. Although Noah was rescued, he still had a journey of hardship. I am sure there was hostility and mocking from unbelievers. Building an ark to the specifications that God required had to be a challenge. The duration of time enclosed in this huge floating vessel with all the animals and extended family had to be difficult and tiresome at times. Rescue does not necessarily mean relief from work, but release from a pre-mature end. 

This is evidenced again with Peter's second example. When God condemned Sodom and Gomorrah and turned these towns into heaps of ashes, He also rescued Lot because he was a righteous man. With all the evil in those cities, God still had his eyes on one man. Genesis 19 tells us that even when Lot lingered and did not flee quickly at the angels urging, the Lord in His great mercy still delivered Lot. His escape however was not without loss. His wife looked back, disobedient to God's direction, and became a pillar of salt.

These accounts in scripture remind us that when we are in peril, God's power comes to the rescue of His children when they cry out to Him. Oftentimes when we are in the middle of the labyrinth of our trials, we cannot see a way out. Surrounded by difficulties and filled with discouragement we begin to lose hope that the Lord sees us. That is always the enemy, trying as he did with Job, to get us to curse God and die (see Job 2:9).

I had a S.O.S. message from a friend about twenty-four hours ago. Since November 23rd her husband has been in the hospital, most of those days being spent in the Critical Care Unit. Yesterday the Doctor said her husband's condition was both good and bad. Good that he is not getting any worse, but bad because there does not seem to be any consistent sign of improvement. My friend asked her prayer warriors to join with her in praying for a turnaround in his condition. This dear, godly man is in need of God's rescue.

My friend is representative of many others. I'm sure each one reading this knows someone who needs a 911 rescue. Maybe the person waiting for deliverance is you. Do not lose heart. "The Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials." Believe that truth today. His greatest rescue came in sending our Rescuer, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to defeat death and redeem and set us free for all eternity. Have you met Him personally as your Rescuer? 911 is a universal emergency number for assistance. God stands by to answer your call. "Call on Me in a day of trouble; I will rescue you and you will honour Me." Psalm 50:15 (CSB) 

God's Song

"For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty Saviour. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." Zephaniah 3:17

I awoke yesterday morning to a message from a very dear, young friend, someone who is like family to me. She wrote, "I'm reading a devotional that asks for three of our favourite promises over our life. I don't think I know any." I loved her honesty and that she asked. I think she really did know quite a few, but she just needed someone to "prime the pump". So, I spent a little time sharing some of my favourite promises from scripture with her. Maybe it is because my mind has been focusing on God's promises that Zephaniah 3:17 took my attention. Do you see the five promises listed in that one verse alone?

1. The promise of His presence.

2. The promise of a Saviour.

3. The promise that He will delight in us.

4. The promise that He will calm all our fears.

5. The promise that He will rejoice over us in song.

Do you know that our Heavenly Father rejoices over us with joyful songs? Imagine God singing just for us! Has anyone ever sung over you? My son and his wife sing over their children as they put them to bed. My mom used to sing over me as a child to wake me every morning. 

Years ago, I recall attending a musical concert. A variety of local artists were performing, some instrumental numbers and other participants were studying voice. I was a young child at the time, but I will never forget when one of the presenters walked up on the stage and began to describe the song they were about to sing. It was a favourite of mine. Just before beginning the song, the performer looked down at my sister and I and dedicated the song to us. I still remember the thrill as a young girl. It was being publicly stated that this song was specifically for us. That song belonged to us in that moment.

God acts similarly when He rejoices and sings over us. Songs of belonging. Songs of delight. Songs of joy. Scripture records many songs of praise to the Lord. Singing is such an expression of love and adoration. This is the only verse in all of the Bible that mentions our Heavenly Father singing, and His reason to break forth in song...us. God sings. Creation sings. Angels sing. God's people sing. Interestingly, we never read of Satan and his demons singing. Sin does that. Sin removes any desire in our heart to lift our voice in song.

Maybe you struggle with the thought of God finding anything to sing over you. Maybe your mind runs to all the reasons for His silence. Maybe it is a hard leap from your thoughts to your heart to imagine God delighting in you with gladness, calming you with His love and rejoicing over you with singing. Can I encourage you to read the verse again? This text does not say that God takes delight in what you do, plan, or say, but He simply rejoices in you and sings! As we delight in Him, He delights in us.

I wonder what song He is singing today? Is the melody catchy and rhythm upbeat? Would it invite some dancing? Does He hum a tune or has He written lyrics? Is it a complete original, or one we might even know? Zephaniah tells us it is joyful. As we listen for the sound of His voice today may our hearts be captivated by His love song. The Lord is singing over you and me! Just thinking of God singing over us makes me want to burst forth in song!

Yet Moments

"Even though the fig tree has no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights." Habakkuk 3:17-19

For years now, whenever I read these verses, scenes from the movie, "Facing the Giants" come to mind. A young couple, serving God, knew about barrenness and loss. The wife appeared unable to conceive a child they so desperately wanted, and the husband's job was in jeopardy of termination. Outwardly both situations appeared hopeless.

One of the visuals that has etched itself forever on my mind is the moment of decision the wife makes after hearing the results of another pregnancy test. She enters the doctor's office with such hope and excitement, convinced this time of positive news, only to hear the nurse confirm again a negative outcome. She is now standing in the parking lot bedside her vehicle, tears streaming from her eyes, unable to face this bitter reality another time. Through her heartbreak and in her grief, she looks up and says, "Lord, I will still love You." Her world is being devastated, yet she will hold on to God. She chooses to continue to love Him, even though she doesn't comprehend why He is not answering the deepest longing of her heart.

Yes moments.

I am sure all our lives are filled with them. Events are speaking opposite to what our prayers have requested. God's hand is nowhere to be seen. Nothing is making sense at all. We do not understand what God is doing, or not doing. Our hearts are starving, our lives are barren, we are experiencing loss and we feel forgotten and empty. We question God's timing, purpose and presence. But, from somewhere deep within, a calm assurance begins to rise. We remember truth. We grab hold of promises. Faith trumps feelings and from some hidden place inside we offer a sacrifice of praise, exclaiming with defiant confidence, "yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!" Look at those exclamation marks! This is spoken with determination and commitment!

As January 1st quickly approaches, this year may still hold some "yet moments". It is possible we have held hope that this year would have been a year of change, but we are still praying for God's intervention and His plans to be revealed. The prophet Habakkuk also reminds us that God has appointed a time that will not delay, and even when answers seem slow in coming, we are encouraged to wait on Him. (Habakkuk 2:3)

Yet, we will rejoice in the Lord! This is a decision to rejoice. Not in our circumstances. Definitely not in our feelings, or how things currently appear, but in our Lord! Our Lord is our strength! He makes us surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.

Many years ago, while visiting a zoo, I captured an incredible picture. A goat was standing on the peak of a man-made mountain. How he got up there was beyond my comprehension. It would not have been an easy route. How was he still standing and not falling? God spoke to my heart in that moment. "Joy, that can be you. It is not easy, but I can enable you to rise above. Not tentatively and hesitantly, but with certainty. I am your strength. Come with Me and tread upon the heights." God empowers us to rise above all the concerns of this world that threaten to weigh us down.

We need to take our eyes off our limitations and focus on God's unlimited power. He is alive and in control. God gives us strength and confidence when we cannot see all He is doing and His presence reassures as we wait for what He is yet to do. Our faith shines in the yet moments when we choose to love and praise God for who He is, especially when we cannot trace His hand.

Bigger Still

"...He displays His power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath His feet." Nahum 1:3b

Just yesterday my friend sent me some pictures. She had told me about the destruction a burst pipe had created in her home and I imagined the mess, but my mind had not come close to envisioning the size of the chaos. Walls torn back to the studs. Flooring removed. The entire interior was gutted. It will be months before it is livable again. A small oversight, not of her doing, has resulted in a big disaster. Thankfully the Lord is providing, and she does have other accommodation.

Have you ever felt something was big and then once you experienced it, big doesn't begin to describe its magnitude? Reading about the Grand Canyon is one thing, standing on the edge and overlooking its grandeur is another. Seeing pictures of the Swiss Alps, the photography portrays their beauty, but climbing their heights puts their size in perspective. Without encountering some things ourselves, our minds are too guarded in their creativity. Our world is often too small.

Reading in Nahum that the billowing clouds are the dust beneath God's feet, my concept of His greatness grew a little bit more. Maybe it is because we are taught that the Lord lives within us by the presence of His Holy Spirit making Him seem too containable, or maybe knowing His Son walked this earth in the form of a man makes Him seem too human, but far too often our understanding of the largeness of the Lord is guarded by our perceived reality. 

Clouds, that look massively huge to us, even from earth, are described as the dust beneath the feet of God. Stop and think about that. Do you know that the largest particles of dust are roughly the width of a human hair? Are you envisioning this? The "largest" particles of dust are no wider than a strand of our hair. That is how the clouds appear beneath the feet of God. Are you starting to get the idea? Does this help broaden your understanding of the immense power and presence of God?

Do we comprehend that for something like the clouds, something so large to us, yet described as something so miniscule in the Lord's perspective, can only mean that our God is BIG! Years ago, I did a Bible study that included in the lessons a poem entitled, "Bigger Still". As the writer shared scenario after scenario in rhyme of times she went to the Lord with needs, each incident requiring increasingly more and more of God's provision in order to make it through, she continued to learn that God is bigger still. Regardless of how big our minds stretch concerning God; He will always be bigger still.

The Creator of the universe is beyond our comprehension. Even with intentional efforts to expand our understanding of God, while walking this earth we will have limited ability to take in His greatness. Back in 1952, J. B. Philipps wrote a book entitled, "Your God is Too Small". In it he points out that many Christians do not see God as big enough to handle their needs. Sadly, this conclusion is then reached by those watching Christ-followers. But all is not loss. There are others, albeit a smaller number, who have trusted Him in Doctor's offices, unemployment lines, barrenness, broken marriages, heartaches over prodigals, financial loss, and by experience, have tasted that God is immeasurably bigger.

I do not know what trial you are currently facing, but God is bigger. Ask God to give you a clearer vision of His greatness as you look to the clouds and remember that they are dust beneath His feet.

The Genuine Article

"So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine....when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honour on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:6-7

"If someone asked you, 'How can I know if my faith is genuine?' how would you respond? What metrics would you suggest for self-evaluation? Perhaps the fruit of the Spirit, or the virtues commended in the Sermon on the Mount? There are many from which to choose."* These sentences began a devotional I was reading with my husband tonight and immediately these verses from 1 Peter came to mind.

I think we would all love to gauge how genuine our faith is by incredible steps of accomplishments and trust, not by persevering through trials. And did you notice? Not just "a trial", or a few, or several, but these verses tell us we must endure through "many trials"! Peter repeatedly emphasizes that we will experience a great number of troubles and adversities.

When we watch others walk through seasons of suffering with inexplainable joy and indescribable peace, genuine faith is evidenced. When they keep loving Jesus, believing in Him and holding on to hope, faithfully enduring, others see that Christ is real. 

Trials are temporary, even if while in the middle of them they feel like they will never end. God has set a timeframe on each one, and although they often seem unending, in the light of eternity, they are fleeting. Because of this, Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, not to lose heart, "for this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison...The things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 

When difficulties arise, when questions go unanswered, when sleeplessness consumes our nights and tears mark our days, these are the times when our cry for help to the Lord testifies to genuine faith. Even if all we can voice is a desperate, "Lord, help me", the fact that we turn to God in trust when tested, this is genuine faith.

Charles Spurgeon wrote, "The one who would glorify his God must be prepared to meet with many trials. No one can be illustrious before the Lord unless his conflicts are many. If, then, yours is a much-tried path - that is, a path of many trials - rejoice in it, because you will be better able to display the all-sufficient grace of God. As for His failing you, never dream of it - hate the thought. The God who has been sufficient until now should be trusted to the end."**

We can endure by trusting in God's grace, and as we do, we will discover that we can rejoice, because our happiness is not dependent on circumstances, but in persevering in our faith and experiencing Christ's sufficiency. 

Most likely written from prison, Peter concludes his first letter by saying, "My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God's grace for you. Stand firm in this grace." (1 Peter 5:12b) It is hard to understand when trials are described as "God's grace", but He uses them to refine our character, increase our dependence on Him and prove our faith genuine.

Remember, our faith is a sword (Ephesians 6:16) and it is meant for battle. "A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted."

*Quote: Truth For Life, Volume Two; Alistair Begg; December 10th reading; The Good Book Company; copyright 2022

**Spurgeon: Morning and Evening; Crossway Publishers; copyright 2003

Rising Again

"...For though I fall, I will rise again..." Micah 7:8b

I have had some nasty physical falls. Last year I recall falling three times. Twice on ice, and once on a slippery, wet hill in my sister's backyard while running with our grandchildren. I also recall a couple of embarrassing sprawls while hurrying to respond to employers. In both of these situations, in two different locations, the culprit was a box of books, one at a library and the other in a bookstore. Those mishaps landed me face down in very awkward positions. The last one I will recount was in the grocery store. Let's just say, hurrying on wet floor with a 20-pound bag of potatoes. It did not end well. With the exception of one of those falls, with eyes watering, nose tingling, body aching, I sprang to my feet. More embarrassed than injured. Although shaken, I refused any attention. Praise the Lord, there has never been any broken bones, which is miraculous with my osteoporosis diagnosis, just battered pride.

Not all falls have recoveries so quick and easy. Physically we may be laid up for a season, but often emotional, mental and spiritual falls take longer to heal. Outwardly there may be no bruising, but inwardly wounds cut deep. On a downward spiral, we can find no safe edge to regain footing.

Stumbling blocks of low self-esteem, insecurity, pride, fear, unworthiness, rejection, captivity, shame, doubt, hopelessness and judgment are our "boxes of books" on the path of life that cause our feet to slip. James 3:2 says, "We all stumble in many ways", yet, Psalm 37:23-24 reassures us, "If the LORD delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand."

When we "fall" openly or secretly, failing in an area of obedience to the Lord, as my friend Elaine pointed out to me many years ago, sometimes our healing is hindered by bouncing back too quickly, dusting ourselves off and pretending our internal injury is less severe. When someone asks if we are "hurt" or "broken" how much better it would be if we honestly expressed our pain and asked for help. Sometimes regaining strength after a fall takes time.

One "fall" we all need to do more often, is to fall on our knees, in our hearts or on our carpets, and seek God's forgiveness. It is the fall of repentance that precedes our rise. Confession enables us to fall upward and then the Lord's hand brings us upright. In Proverbs 24:16, Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote these words by divine inspiration, "The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again." We undoubtedly will fall numerous times, but what matters most is that we rise again.

The prophet Micah encourages us, that although we may be brought low, it will not be for long. God will indeed lift us up. Like those little "Weebles" that wobble, but don't stay down, the Lord picks us back up. We have a God who specializes in resurrection. Not rising in our own strength, but having confidence in the One who has already risen.

Some falls we can avoid. Like today, with freezing rain covering the ground and my car blanketed in ice, I have sent my regrets to a friend hosting a Christmas Tea. Other times we can make choices that remove certain temptations, or, when faced with a moment of decision, we can choose the "ancient path". But when we do fall, God immediately stretches out His hand and offers a way to return. If today finds you down, take His hand. He will empower you to rise again.

Gifts

"Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from Him." Psalm 127:3

I remember so vividly the day our son was born. One does not easily forget thirty-six hours of labour and then an emergency C-section. I was actually in the hospital for a week following his birth and when the day came to go home, I was so nervous. This new, wee life entrusted to us was so precious and neither Gord or I had any experience with infants. I had only babysat my neighbour's granddaughter once as a teen, and it didn't go well. I had to call my mom for help. Now, my husband and I were responsible for the life of our little boy.

Children indeed are a gift from the Lord, but as I reflect on this verse, my heart is tender to those who have never married or who have never been able to have children. As much of a blessing that children, (and I will add grandchildren), are to a family, they are just one of the many gifts with which God blesses us. The Lord grants us blessings in many ways. I think when we read a scripture verse that possibly makes us feel broken because we have not experienced this particular gift, we have to recognize all the other ways that God bountifully blesses.

As believers God's gifts to us include:

- spiritual gifts (2 Corinthians 12:7)

- salvation, grace, faith (Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 9:15)

- eternal life (Romans 6:23)

- the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)

- the fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:22-23)

- the Lord, as Heavenly Father, gives good gifts in response to our asking (Matthew 7:11)

- every good thing is a God-gift (James 1:17)

- seeking the Lord is rewarded (Hebrews 11:6)

Other rewards from God come in recognition of our faith. Think about when hope rises through despairing situations. That is a gift from the Lord. What about unspeakable peace in troubled times?  The gift of being loved. The blessing of strength in weakness, or joy and laughter in times of grief. Consider the times the Lord showers us with mercy and forgiveness. Knowing His guidance is a gift. Life is a gift. Daily breath is a gift. The gift of His presence, and the beautiful opportunity He gives us to come to Him in prayer. The gift of fellowship and community with other believers.

Children are indeed a gift, and I will be forever thankful for the blessing of our son, but there are so many other ways that the Lord gifts and rewards. Sometimes we can become so fixated on one particular gift, we miss all the others the Lord is continually lavishing on us.

"All the things in this world are gifts of God, created for us, to be the means by which we can come to know Him better, love Him more surely, and serve Him more faithfully." - Ignatius of Loyola

Moving On

"Arise and depart. This is not your place of rest." Micah 2:10a

Five years of discontent. We were struggling spiritually at the church we were attending at the time. I kept praying that the Lord would make it clear if we were to go or stay, but confidence in that clarity had not yet come. Friends were giving advice. Family offered guidance. We were waiting on the Lord. In the waiting I was throwing myself into activity and heavily involving myself in areas of ministry. I was not one to sit and complain. If I was not happy about something, then instead of grumbling, volunteer and do something!

On this particular morning I was weary with the continual indecision. I was pleading with the Lord to speak. I wanted to put this request behind us and move on, if not from a physical location, to move forward in my heart and mind. I promised the Lord that I would not ask again. If His silence remained today, I would accept that as His desire for us to stay. It was a Friday morning and I would be heading to the church shortly to set-up for a Women of Grace event the following day. Using a read-thru-the-Bible plan, I opened God's word and discovered I would be reading in Micah. Immediately a thought came to me. I am ashamed to voice it now, but it is what ran through my mind at that time. "Oh...Micah...well, I guess I know my answer." The audacity to think that God could not speak to me through any part of His word. I believe He showed up big this particular morning just to prove to me that ALL of His word is living and active!

I was reading along, and honestly, not paying too much attention to what I was reading, I had surrendered to the stay, when suddenly Micah 2:10 jumped off the page: "Arise and depart. This is not your place of rest." What? Lord...You are telling us it is time to leave! The peace that flooded my heart knowing God's conclusive direction.

Heading to the church a couple of hours later, the emotions inside me were running wild. I knew the event the following day would be the last one I would organize here in this location. Yes, there was excitement, but I would be leaving all the dear friendships that were so precious to me.

The ladies day ran smoothly. The Lord honoured all the efforts the team and I had poured into preparation. The gospel message was presented and hearts were changed. As the guest speaker was packing up her props (this particular speaker always came with "show and tell"), she walked over to me and said, "Joy, you have seemed a little distracted today. Is everything OK?"

Sitting down in the front pew of the church I shared with her a journey our family had been travelling for a while and the verse the Lord had spoken to me the previous day. Her response was the confirmation I needed. She also encouraged me that we would be leaving on such a "high note", not in anger or frustration, but because the Lord had said "depart", and now was His time.

That Sunday was our final service in that church. We knew that if we stayed any longer, we would be in direct disobedience to God's instruction. We invited two of our Pastor's over for tea and shared with them how God was calling us to move on. They prayed God's blessing over us as we left and we parted with hugs and tears.

I firmly believe that God's word gives guidance to every direction we are seeking. He wants us to come, ask, seek and trust that He will answer and provide. Today's illustration is about a physical move, as my family and I relocated to a new town and a new church fellowship. Maybe, it is not a geographical move the Lord is calling you to arise and depart. It could be an emotional or mental move. Forgetting those things that are behind, God might be asking us to leave hopelessness, negativity, anxiety, worry, fear or doubt that have been holding us captive, prisoners to our past. Maybe it is a letting go of regrets, failures and mistakes. Leaving behind expectations, people pleasing and a closet full of masks and memories. Whatever God calls us to do, and wherever He asks us to go, may we arise, depart and follow, not resting until we know we have moved on in obedience to His call.

Harboured Hatred

"This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry." Jonah 4:1

Sitting at her kitchen table, in frustration I recounted my annoyance. My son's class had been given an assignment that had demanded his attention all weekend. The amount of work that it required was ridiculous! Chris had worked non-stop over the past two days to get it completed. When he handed it in that Monday morning, he was one of only a handful of students who had been able to finish this huge project on time. Since so few had been able to achieve this accomplishment, the teacher extended the due date by a couple of days to give more time to the rest of the class.

I was not happy! My son had dedicated his weekend to meeting this teacher's requirements. If the other students had not fulfilled her demands, well, that was their fault. Chris and the others who worked so hard over the past two days should have at very least been credited with something extra as a recognition of their efforts. But no. Nothing. Their reward was a weekend without any fun, and now it seemed like it did not even matter. Unfair. My son voiced no complaint, but his mother was quite displeased!

I finished my tirade, and my sweet friend and accountability partner, with whom I met every Monday to share life and pray together, looked at me with empathy, but simply uttered one word, "Grace". I still remember my feeling at that exact moment. Don't you hate it when you want to remain angry about an injustice, but someone points out a truth you really would rather avoid hearing. I knew she was right. I was forgetting grace, and all the ways the Lord had lavished it so freely on me. I wanted these other classmates to be punished in some way, or my son credited for his achievement, but there was neither ramification or recognition. 

In many ways, I was Jonah. I longed to see the delinquent get disciplined. Jonah saw the wickedness of the people of Nineveh and he did not want to announce a message of God's judgment against the city. Being warned of approaching doom, the prophet felt confident the people would repent and be saved and he wanted them to experience God's wrath, not His forgiveness. 

I know I have mentioned this before, but we can really struggle with God's grace, not for ourselves, but for others. It appears at times that evil gets excused. We want to see the Lord's retribution extended, not His compassion. I am not talking about a school assignment any more, but about sin being addressed. When those feelings arise, we are exhibiting great forgetfulness. We are diminishing our sin, which in comparison in our minds, is so much less. Yet, our sin was also responsible to Christ's death on the cross. In our pride we are considering ourselves more deserving of grace than others, but the hand on the hammer of each piercing nail belongs to every one of us. We are not worthy of the grace given freely to us.

Jonah is not a story about a big fish, a reluctant prophet, or second chances. Jonah is an account of the character of our great and loving God who is "a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love...eager to turn back from destroying people." (Jonah 4:2) In the pages of Jonah our heart's tendency to vengeance is unveiled, and God's heart of mercy is revealed. May we not forget the compassion and mercy that reached down to us and let us consider the sensitivity of our hearts towards all the harboured hatred God is asking us to surrender.