As the rain and snow

“I will extol you, my God and King,
    and bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you
    and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
    his greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall commend your works to another,
    and declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
    and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
    and I will declare your greatness.
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
    and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and merciful,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
    and his mercy over all he has made.

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
    and all your saints shall bless you!
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
    and tell of your power,
to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,
    the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

The Lord is faithful in all his words
    and kind in all his works.
The Lord upholds all who are falling
    and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food in due season.
You… satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways
    and kind in all his works.
The Lord is near to all who call on him...
He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
    he hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord preserves all who love him…

My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
    let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.” Psalm 145:1-21

David’s gratitude gushes forth as he ponders and describes the greatness of his Lord. His life had been full of experiences with God’s limitless life and kind works, and as His infinite, everlasting attributes came to mind, praise to Him abounded. Who could contemplate this great Sovereign and not exalt Him?

Consider these attributes: unsearchable greatness, mighty, glorious splendor, majestic, wondrous, awesome, abundantly good, righteous. And that from just five verses! Continue the song with gracious, merciful, patient, steadfast love. These attributes describe His character, motives, manner, and deeds. Faithful and kind. Supplying and satisfying. Near, responsive, and timely. Saving and keeping. Holy.

How do we see the Lord? Is He distant, unreachable, unknowable? Or do we daily interact with Him through His word, by His Spirit, in prayer and pondering? If we’re willing, He will draw near to reveal Himself. The more we meditate on His greatness the more He’ll make known and personally real His attributes. With filled senses, we’ll respond in wonder and praise.

In what times of day and areas of life can we draw nearer to the King? What attributes of His has He displayed in our inner life of wrestling, repentance, desire, inspiration, anticipation? How has He revealed Himself at work, in ministries, through interactions with others? As we seek Him in these situations, we will wonder at His glorious expressions.

Lord, may I ponder and proclaim Your greatness and fame forever.

“The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it imparts understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant,
    because I long for your commandments.
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    as is your way with those who love your name.
Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
    and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
Redeem me from man’s oppression,
    that I may keep your precepts.
Make your face shine upon your servant,
    and teach me your statutes.
My eyes shed streams of tears,
    because people do not keep your law.

Righteous are you, O Lord,
    and right are your rules.
You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
    and in all faithfulness.
My zeal consumes me,
    because my foes forget your words.
Your promise is well tried,
    and your servant loves it.
I am small and despised,
    yet I do not forget your precepts.
Your righteousness is righteous forever,
    and your law is true.
Trouble and anguish have found me out,
    but your commandments are my delight.
Your testimonies are righteous forever;
    give me understanding that I may live.” Psalm 119:130-144

The psalmist ordered his song and life by God’s word. He longed for and delighted in its promises as right and righteous, relevant and true. Knowing and trusting them, he loved them as well-tried companions that enlightened, inspired, guided, and guarded him. In them he found and rejoiced in the light and life imparted.

In order for God’s promises to be well-tried, they must be known. Once a fixture in heart and mind, they secure our souls, fuel our decisions, lead us forward, and buoy our spirits. Each time we take them as our own, we test and prove their faithfulness. The word delighted in is the word that becomes our all in all.

How diligent are we to familiarize ourselves with God’s promises so we can well-try them? What habits of reading, studying, recording, recounting, or memorizing will we implement? With whom do we exchange encouragement and accountability to know and understand them? Whom do or will we teach about their goodness and trustworthiness?

Once we are well-acquainted with God’s promises, it becomes more natural to test them in varied situations. Where do we lack wisdom or resources? He knows our needs and supplies! Are we anxious, fearful, or distracted? The Lord gives peace, strength, and focus! Will we search our hearts, then the Bible, to match concern with promise? The more well-tried, the more treasured is God’s beautiful, bountiful word. (Psalm 138:2; Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 6:8-13; 7:7-8; John 14:27; 16:33; Philippians 4:6-8; James 1:5)

“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you He hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.” ~George Keith (1787)

Lord, help me know and love Your promises, and apply and prove them faithful, to Your glory.

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 17:18-20 

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2

From the earliest days of Israel, the Lord God made clear what was to be His people’s highest priority and first love. God knew the flesh nature, that theirs would be a constant struggle against loving and serving themselves. If they sought and loved Him first, all else would flow. They were to remind themselves and each other of this Sh’ma, their one priority, again and again, to connect hearing and action as an expression of their commitment to their God. (Genesis 3:1-6)

This repeated refrain would also serve us well to keep the Lord at the fore. We have many deterrents to wholehearted commitment, from vociferous impulses to a wide worldly menu of distraction and entertainment. While the pull to major in anything but the Lord is forceful, it can be resisted with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Where have I lost my first love of Christ, and what has caused my drift? Do I earnestly desire to put Him first, and live under and from His supremacy? What will I do today to correct my allegiances, to put away lesser gods in order to hear and heed God as my highest priority and focus? (Joshua 24:14-24; Revelation 2:4-5)

“Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.” ~St. Dallán Forgaill (530-598)

Lord God, may I neither major on the minors nor minor on the majors, but hold and love You first of all.

“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua, Moses’ assistant,..  No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’

“And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, ‘Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, “Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.”’” Joshua 1:1,5-11

From Joshua’s vantage point, he had huge shoes to fill and a daunting task ahead. His mentor was gone, and the promised land loomed large, unknown, and threatening. The Lord’s command to lead His people into the land came with great promise and assurance. Joshua’s high calling from God to conquer and possess it was accompanied by a lofty pledge from the true Commander: He was with him and would not forsake him! Joshua was to proceed in strength and courage, much courage, saturated with- and obedient to- His word. His way with God would succeed.

Many days we start out on our own, forging self-directed paths, in a hurry to achieve our ends, aware or not of dangers or downfalls ahead. We might think ourselves brave to act with determination on our plans, but can miss alignment with the higher call of God. Effort exerted in our own strength may appear courageous, but it lacks the surrender to the Lord that requires real courage- to die to self and live to Him. (Galatians 2:20)

To be courageous, very courageous, must be grounded in more than self-will. It takes full offering of ourselves as living sacrifices to seek and embrace the Lord’s revealed will. Whether taking up where a great leader left off or embarking on a new conquest, being asked to remain faithful and steady in a challenging situation or to confront the new and impossible, a calling from God will never lack His supply. We must be courageous in faith, believing His word, character, powerful presence, and provision. (Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 4:19)

What is the Lord calling me to do for His sake? How has He encouraged and provided for my execution of His command? What promises inspire and fortify faith for this task? How will I exercise courage, great courage, today?

Lord, increase my strength of soul so I courageously follow You and serve Your purposes, to Your glory. (Psalm 138:3)

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.^‘ But he answered, ‘It is written,

“‘”Man shall not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”‘

“Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘”He will command his angels concerning you,”

“and

“‘”On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you strike your foot against a stone.”‘

“Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.^“‘ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.^‘ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘”You shall worship the Lord your God
    and him only shall you serve.”‘

“Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.” Matthew 4:1-11

The way of the devil is to deceive by twisting words, to tempt to disobedience, and to manipulate to his ends. He strokes pride to get his subjects focused on themselves and the need to prove that they are important, powerful, in control, significant.

The way of Jesus is to know and stand on the inerrant unchanging Word, to hide in the Godhead, to live every aspect of life in the worship of His father, serving His will and ultimate joy. The conniving of ‘If you are the Son of God’ tricks is confounded and swallowed by the unshakable majesty of “Since I am the Son of God” responses. (Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 12:2)

The devil continues to go after God’s people today. He is relentless in his wily temptations, taunting us with doubts about our identity, provoking us to make much of ourselves, to doubt God’s word or test His sufficiency. We have a choice: to entertain and succumb to his “if” teasing, or to stand firm on the “sinces” that Jesus proclaims over us. It’s vital to discern the voices we hear, and make decisions accordingly. (Romans 6:5-8; 8:1-2; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 12:1)

What voices are we accustomed to heeding in our everyday experiences? Do we know God’s word well enough to discern the devil’s aberrations? When tempted toward an unbiblical view of ourselves in relation to God, others, or His world, where do we align and how do we adjust our thinking?

In what areas are we weakest in giving in to wrong thinking? How has the Lord’s Spirit alerted us and given us strength to withstand? What promises has He brought to mind? Staying at the ready, equipped with God’s word, we can counter any temptation victoriously.

Lord God, immerse me in your truth and strength so I recognize and counter every devil attack, to Your glory. 

“To you I lift up my eyes,
    O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
Behold, as the eyes of servants
    look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant
    to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
    till he has mercy upon us.

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
    for we have had more than enough of contempt.
Our soul has had more than enough
    of the scorn of those who are at ease,
    of the contempt of the proud.”

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
    let Israel now say—
if it had not been the Lord who was on our side
    when people rose up against us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
    when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
    the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
    the raging waters…

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 123; Psalm 124:1-5,8

Clouds chase clouds in incessant pursuit, like a wound-up cat chasing its prize. Winds blow heartily, gustily, shooshing trees and chimes and shivering the water’s surface, and they keep on. Lift the eyes, lift the thoughts… in the turmoil, cast all above where the all-seeing, omniscient God rides the heavens and sovereignly reigns. His Spirit’s wind blows through the unrest of present darkness, His light tints clouded days with the pink of providence. (Deuteronomy 33:26; Ephesians 6:12)

In the blow of stresses and uncertainty, brooding storms within and without, there is nothing that buoys the soul like looking up. Turning from the threatening winds, the shaking circumstances, the darkness of shadows, to gaze above at the rosy hints of hope blushed by the Lord, elevates the spirit. It takes our focus off of what we cannot control. It releases our attention from fretting over time- and energy-wasting insignificances. It reminds God’s people Who is in charge, Who controls the order and thickness and tempo and outcomes of things. (Matthew 8:27)

When clouds chase our calm, and swirl chaos into our sense of peace, where will we look? Will we stare at the onslaught with dread or trepidation, or set our eyes and minds on all that is above, fixing hope in the Lord of heaven and hosts? (Colossians 3:1-2)

“My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
take all my guilt away;
O let me from this day
be wholly Thine.

May Thy rich grace impart
strength to my fainting heart,
my zeal inspire;
as Thou hast died for me,
O may my love to Thee
pure, warm, and changeless be,
a living fire.

While life’s dark maze I tread,
and griefs around me spread,
be Thou my Guide;
bid darkness turn to day,
wipe sorrow’s tears away,
nor let me ever stray
from Thee aside.

When ends life’s transient dream,
when death’s cold, sullen stream
shall o’er me roll,
blest Savior, then in love,
fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above,
a ransomed soul.” ~Ray Palmer (1830)

Merciful Lord, keep my eyes looking to You, my soul at trusting rest.

“Look down from heaven and see,
    from your holy and beautiful habitation.
Where are your zeal and your might?
    The stirring… of your compassion
    [is] held back from me.”

“When you did awesome things that we did not look for,
    you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
From of old no one has heard
    or perceived by the ear,
no eye has seen a God besides you,
    who acts for those who wait for him…
Behold, you were angry, and we sinned;
    in our sins we have been a long time…
We have all become like one who is unclean,
    our righteous deeds like a polluted garment.
We all fade like a leaf,
    and our iniquities… take us away.
There is no one who calls upon your name…
for you have hidden your face from us,
    and have made us melt in our iniquities.

“But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
    we are the clay, and you are our potter;
    we are all the work of your hand.
Be not so terribly angry, O Lord,
    and remember not iniquity forever.
    Behold, please look, we are all your people.” Isaiah 63:15; 64:3-9

“I love the Lord, because he has heard
    my voice and my pleas for mercy.
Because he inclined his ear to me,
    therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
The snares of death encompassed me;..
    I suffered distress and anguish.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
    ‘O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!’

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
    our God is merciful…
When I was brought low, he saved me.”

“If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
    O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
    that you may be feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
    and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
    more than watchmen for the morning.” Psalm 116:1-6; 130:3-6

Psalmists and prophets alike knew the mercy of God. They understood the history of God’s acts on behalf of man: the agonies of sin’s consequences, the excruciating recognition of rebellion and ongoing cries for relief, and the waiting for mercy to arrive. And arrive they did, always a timely expression of God’s perfect and infinite character, His steadfast love for His redeemed.

To know the Almighty and the inclinations of man is to be confronted with the necessity for deep and effectual mercy. In God’s perfect economy, we often have to wait for it, as He uses time to reveal our depravity, train the soul to confess and seek, and make Himself known. Impatience betrays a lack of humility or smack of entitlement, and may prolong the waiting. The Lord will apply His mercy when He knows His heart work is done.

How often do we acknowledge our iniquity before God? Are we speedy and flippant in prayer, asking for goodies but not confessing our rottenness? Can we see God’s long-suffering with us a loving act of mercy in itself, giving time to turn? How willing are we to come clean and yield to God’s claim on every part of us? Honestly calling on God in His holy habitation while humbling ourselves can open the gate to hopeful expectation, a glorious bounty of mercy, and a fresh rejoicing in salvation. (Psalm 51:1-4,12)

Lord, incline Your ear, extend Your mercy, and keep me ever grateful, to Your honor.

“And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing.’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?’” Matthew 8:23-27

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 14:27; 16:33

There were times when the disciples were dull of understanding, impulsive in actions, or misguided in their efforts, and were chastised or corrected for their misconception of the Christ. But in this case, they did everything right, following their leader Jesus into the boat, where He promptly took a nap. They knew well this sea and its fickle storms, yet after Jesus’s bidding, and with Him sleeping, the tumult came and threatened to swallow them all. Until He spoke, and calmed the wind and waves. What sort of Man does this? Onlythe God-Man who is not like nor does He do as the world does. (Matthew 16:22-23; 17:1-8; Mark 10:13-14)

In our flesh we have many limited and wrong assumptions about Jesus. Because we are idols of beauty and comfort and happiness, we think His goodness means we will avoid difficulties, pain, and heartache. When plans are marred or circumstances turn sour, we think we will perish, we cannot stand the unsteadiness, the danger. It is often right then that the Lord shows up in an unusual and powerful way, His ‘otherness’ elucidated by the very grit of our present trouble.

‘Won’t You save us?!’ becomes ‘What sort of man does this?’ as the Savior rouses and speaks. ‘Who sleeps in a storm?!’ becomes ‘What sort of man with a word calms a storm? Gives peace unlike anything we find in the world? Overcomes the world?’ Jesus! He is that man! He is alive! He is divine, present, and knowable!

Many storms whip and pelt when we follow Jesus. What harsh winds blow today in our souls, our situations? Where do we feel sick with the ups and downs of challenging relationships, work or financial security, health or emotions? What outside forces threaten our sense of spiritual equilibrium? Do we recognize the serene sort of Man with us? His providential tending to our very place and position, His lack of surprise or fretting or upset, His complete calm in the end?

How can knowing Jesus led us to this place and abides with us make a difference? How do His presence and voice soothe our worries? Calling on Him specifically sets us marveling at His intervention and might over all things.

Lord, may I never lose my awe at who You are and what You do.

“’Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,
    you who seek the Lord…
For the Lord comforts Zion;
    he comforts all her waste places
and makes her wilderness like Eden,
    her desert like the garden of the Lord;
joy and gladness will be found in her,
    thanksgiving and the voice of song.

“’Give attention to me, my people,..
My righteousness draws near,
    my salvation has gone out,
    and my arms will judge…
Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
    and look at the earth beneath;
for the heavens vanish like smoke,
    the earth will wear out like a garment..;
but my salvation will be forever,
    and my righteousness will never be dismayed.

“’Listen to me, you who know righteousness,
    the people in whose heart is my law;
fear not the reproach of man,
    nor be dismayed at their revilings.
For the moth will eat them like a garment,
    and the worm will eat them like wool,
but my righteousness will be forever,
    and my salvation to all generations…’

“The ransomed of the Lord shall return
    with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
    they shall obtain gladness and joy,
    and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

“’I, I am he who comforts you;
    who are you that you are afraid of man who dies,
    of the son of man who is made like grass,
and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker,
    who stretched out the heavens
    and laid the foundations of the earth…
I am the Lord your God,
    who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—
    the Lord of hosts…
I have put my words in your mouth
    and covered you in the shadow of my hand,
establishing the heavens
    and laying the foundations of the earth,
    and saying, “You are my people.”’”

“Break forth together into singing,
    you waste places of Jerusalem,
for the Lord has comforted his people;
    he has redeemed.” Isaiah 51:1,3-8,11-13a,15-16; 52:9

Isaiah calls God’s people to remember what is true, to get back to the basics of who God is and how He relates to his people. Though their nation was in an uproar, the Lord remained constant and His covenant of salvation was for all generations. He was palpable comfort in what seemed waste places, making their wilderness of life and soul and outlook like a garden, blooming with joy and gladness, beauty and song.

It is natural to be caught up in the stresses and mire of every day, and feel overcome by what seems unending fruitlessness in effort or prayer, or an arid wilderness of thought, civility, productivity, advancement, or relationships. If we consider only external situations- the visible, audible, and painful horrors and disappointments of daily life- we will not understand (or even look for) the meaning behind or the glory to rise from the devastation. (Isaiah 53:2-6,10-12)

If, however, we listen to God’s voice, and give attention to His promises and comfort, we will begin to sense His loving hand, feel gladness, and see blooms in the desert. A destitute view springs to life with hope, waste and sighing are transformed to growth, and song.

When will we turn off the world’s cares and listen to the Lord as HIs children? In what desert or wilderness can we sense His working and renewal? How can God’s promise of comfort, hope, and endless salvation make a difference today?

Lord, help me rejoice always in Your certain glorious end! (Philippians 4:4)

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery… For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness…. For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another... I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,  envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:1,5,13,16-23

Paul reminds the Galatian church of their great freedom in Christ, one granted by God but that must be guarded with diligence. Their Savior had set them free from condemnation by the law, and they needed to exercise that freedom with care to keep in step with the Spirit, heartily obey the Lord, generously serve each other, and bear increasing spiritual fruit. They’d received license not to do what they wanted in the flesh, but to honor the Lord as those who walked by faith.

God’s gift of freedom is unlike any other gift. It is the ultimate spiritual blessing that incorporates the fullness of grace at work: we are no longer bound by or to sin and its power over us, and we are able to serve in fullness of joy. Because sin’s curse is broken and the soul is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we are motivated by imbued righteousness to love and serve Him and one another.

What do our habitual tendencies reveal about our grasp of freedom? Have we, by faith and profession, been freed of sin and its attending guilt, shame, and entanglements? If so, are we living as though this is true, glad in gratitude and unfettered by the past? If we own the Holy Spirit, what evidence is there of our walking in step with Him and by His power? Having the agency to spend time and affection as we choose, where are we investing ourselves? Do our activities magnify the Spirit at work, and His fruit manifest and abounding?

“Beloved Church of Christ,
God shed his grace on thee, 
Now crown thy good with brotherhood 
from sea to shining sea. 

Love mercy more than life,
May God thy gold refine, 
Till all success be nobleness, 
And every grace divine. 

The Spirit’s fruit now bear,
God mend thine every flaw, 
confirm thy soul in self-control, 
freedom in love and law.” ~Katharine Lee Bates (1893), PEB

Oh Lord, in gratitude for freedom won, may I freely, lavishly love and serve You and others, to Your glory.