As the rain and snow

“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.

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
    and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
    you have put all things under his feet.” Psalm 8:3-6

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
    Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
    Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,
    or who laid its cornerstone,
when the morning stars sang together
    and all the sons of God shouted for joy?..

“Where is the way to the dwelling of light,
    and where is the place of darkness,
that you may take it to its territory
    and that you may discern the paths to its home?

“Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades
    or loose the cords of Orion?
Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season,
    or can you guide the Bear with its children?
Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?
    Can you establish their rule on the earth?” Job 38:4-7,19-20,31-33

“He who made the Pleiades and Orion,
    and turns deep darkness into the morning
    and darkens the day into night,
who calls for the waters of the sea
    and pours them out on the surface of the earth,
the Lord is his name.” Amos 5:8

David and Amos, both shepherds, and Job, who owned many flocks, were well familiar with the night sky. Spending long hours outside in changing light and varied seasons accustomed them to contemplate secrets of the dark. Constellations and planets were bright, shifting by days and arcing with passing hours. The more they looked, the more time spent, the greater their wonder over the Lord, His infinite majesty, sustaining power, incredible love.

In the dark, in the quiet, we see and hear more than we do in the cacophony of daylight and distraction. Whether in silence when all else is paused, or the bleakness of pain, sorrow, or longing, light for the spirit is brilliant in darkness. More of the invisible God, more wonder, more Spirit-conviction and inspiration, deeper comfort- all arrive as gifts on long moments of meditation.

What is my normal response to darkness? Am I prone to allow terror of the unknown, or avoid what I cannot know and control? Do I prefer visible and audible entertainment over cherishing the dark the Lord has given? How might I still my soul and search for the treasures of light in the midst of the darkness?

As a single light is more noticeable in darkness, a faceted jewel more brilliant against black cloth, a single note or melody more clear in silence, so the Lord designed treasures of darkness for His beloved children. Are we looking, watching, wondering? The longer we gaze at a night sky, the more twinkling we see, the more palpable His love and our awe. Oh, may we, in any darkness, set our eyes on Jesus to behold His beauties and splendor! (Isaiah 45:3)

My Lord, draw me close in spirit to see You and all You expose, enhance, and clarify in the dark, to Your glory and praise.

“When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son,.. to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” Galatians 4:4-7

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places… In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ,.. to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved… 

“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will… In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it.” Ephesians 1:3,5-6,11,13-14

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5

The Scriptures, themselves a treasure book, are clear that God through Christ redeemed His people to inherit eternity and every spiritual blessing. His word guarantees for His adopted children what is true now and certain to come. Heirs of grace are heirs forever.

A will spells out the inheritance to be received upon death of the purveyor. Every aspect of the gift cannot be accessed while the giver is alive, yet the heir is a beneficiary the moment the promise is transferred. He lives in confidence and anticipation of all that will be his, even if not yet fully vested. (Hebrews 9:16)

For us who are in Christ, the promises that became ours when He adopted us upon salvation have been in effect since His death on the cross. In a sense, we receive all when we receive Him as Savior and His Holy Spirit as a seal guaranteeing our redemption. Some aspects of what we own will not be fully realized until we see Him face to face. (1 Corinthians 13:9-12; 1 John 3:2)

What makes us, inheritors of the riches of grace and manifold fruit of the Spirit, choose to live as paupers? In decisions, interactions, and responses, do we ignore or implement our spiritual wealth? Joyfully convinced of our great inheritance, we can live in glad expectancy and bold faith. Will we walk with steadiness above our circumstances, strong in God’s might? Will we press on to know, revere, and adore the Promise-Giver, exploring the depths of His character and realizing the power He imparts? As His children, our hope is fixed, our future certain. (Romans 8:32; Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 4:11-13; Hebrews 6:17-19; 11:8-10)

Father, may I, as heir to Your fortune of grace, faithfully and actively guard the heavenly deposit, and live each day with zeal and gratitude.

“The Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Men came and told Jehoshaphat, ‘A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea…’ Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.  And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities they came to seek the Lord.

“Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord,.. and said, ‘O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?..  And now behold the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir,.. coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? We are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you…’

“Jahaziel [said], ‘Do not be afraid [or] dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s…  You will not need to fight… Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf… Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.’

“Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah… fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 20:1-7,10-12,15,17-18

Immediately upon learning of the approaching multitudes, King Jehoshaphat turned his face, not toward them, but to seek the Lord. In his fear, he sought heavenly help, and called Judah to do the same. Facing his gathered people, he looked up to God in prayer, asking Him to behold and deal with the enemy. After receiving God’s assurance of victory, he bowed humbly to the ground, worshiping. Setting their hearts on praise, confident in God’s promise, Judah’s army watched God’s conquest of their attackers. (2 Chronicles 20-30)

Setting our face is an act of will. Each determination to look and focus is a choice of not looking on another way or distraction. When opposition approaches, we can look up to the Lord, and back on His prior works. Promises proclaimed and fulfilled fix our sights on victory in Him.

What situations or outcomes do we presently fear? What troubles threaten our stability and peace? Are we setting our face on these circumstances, or on Christ? Are we consumed with what might be, or the enemy’s onslaught to undermine, discourage, and destroy? Do we tense with angst or brood in regret and second-guessing? Or will we turn to look up in prayer, and ahead to face the enemy with confidence and hope?

The God who constantly watches us beckons us watch for Him. Beholding His face ensures us of His victorious, glorious rule. (2 Chronicles 16:9; Hebrews 4:16)

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.” ~Helen Lemmel (1922)

Father, in every threatening fear, may I behold your face, stand firm in Your salvation, and help others look to, trust, and praise You.

“Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, the days approach when you must die. Call Joshua and present yourselves in the tent of meeting, that I may commission him.’ And Moses and Joshua presented themselves in the tent of meeting. And the Lord appeared in the tent in a pillar of cloud…

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, you are about to lie down with your fathers. Then this people will rise and whore after the foreign gods in the land they are entering, and will forsake me and break my covenant… Then my anger will be kindled against them, and I will forsake them and hide my face from them, and they will be devoured. Many evils and troubles will come upon them… And I will surely hide my face in that day because of all the evil they have done, because they have turned to other gods.

“’Now therefore write this song and teach it to the people of Israel… [as] a witness for me… For when I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey,.. and they have eaten and are full and grown fat, they will turn to other gods and serve them, and despise me and break my covenant. And when many evils and troubles have come upon them, this song shall confront them as a witness... For I know what they are inclined to do even today, before I have brought them into the land…’ 

“The Lord commissioned Joshua.., ‘Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. I will be with you.'” Deuteronomy 31:7-8,14-21,23

What a swing of truths to absorb, and emotions to digest! Joshua first heard the call from Moses: The Lord would lead him to lead Israel into the promised land. Then with his mentor in the tent, he heard from God in the cloud that Moses was about to die, and the people left in his charge would turn from God, who would then hide His face from them and bring great trouble. But God would remain with him, never to forsake him. Through grieving, conquest, and calamity, God’s presence would be constant, His promise would hold, and Joshua was not to fear or be dismayed.

When the Lord commissions His people to specific assignments, it is all about Him. He knows the troubles that lurk, the challenges that await, the way we’ll take, but we’re not to get lost in supposings or caught up in dread or fear. We must remember the Giver of the Word and the promises He will uphold, and stay on mission. Though the way be treacherous, He remains constant.

Where has the Lord commissioned us to serve for His sake? Are we finding His assignments challenging? Do we question His reasons, the obstacles? Do we fret at anticipated opposition, difficulties, or inadequacy, tempted to give up, or keep on in His sufficiency, steady presence, and faithfulness? What promises will we recount and claim today?

Father, make me ready and willing for Your every call, intent on trusting Your promises.

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
    make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
    tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and his strength;
    seek his presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
    his miracles, and the judgments he uttered…

He brought his people out with joy,
    his chosen ones with singing.
And he gave them the lands of the nations,
    and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples’ toil,
that they might keep his statutes
    and observe his laws.
Praise the Lord!” Psalm 105:1-5,43-45

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

“Since 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. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God… Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:1-3,16

The Lord made man in His image for a special relationship with Himself, fashioning him with unique capabilities to know, fear, love, and obey Him. Once we are saved, His Spirit begins to sanctify, conforming us to His image and preparing us for heaven. The psalmist engages mind and mouth, thought and praise, every faculty, to this end.

Give thanks! Call upon the LORD’s name! Make known His deeds! Sing to Him, sing praises! Tell of all His wonders! Glory in His name! Rejoice in heart! Seek the Lord! Seek His strength and presence! Remember what He has done! To employ ourselves in God’s wonders and praise is to continually renew the mind and fill our souls with joyful, Godward abandon. Meditating on Him and voicing His greatness shapes our mindset and attitude toward all that comes our way.

To live a life hidden in Christ takes willful discipline. We cannot separate Sunday worship from weekday stresses, devotion and prayer from duties and play. When Christ Jesus becomes our all in all, He infiltrates every aspect of thought and effort. We become subject to His character and supremacy in all parts of life. Our exercise of agency is under His rule, our every expression within His freedom. (1 Corinthians 15:28)

What evidence do we display, in speech, discernment, or action, of God’s word dwelling richly in us? How will we renew our minds and actions afresh? What daily practices will we employ to voice praise and think on what is above rather than things of earth? How can we turn ordinary speech to rejoicing, what is banal and routine to vigorous doing of God’s will? Flooding our minds with God’s graces and deeds fills us to overflow in praise.

Lord, I offer to You my mind, mouth, and movement, so in everything, You are the One seen and heard, and glorified.

“You yourselves know how we lived in Egypt and how we passed through the countries on the way here. You saw among them their detestable images and idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold.  Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the Lord our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.

“When such a person hears the words of this oath and they invoke a blessing on themselves, thinking, ‘I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way,’ they will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. The Lord will never be willing to forgive them; his wrath and zeal will burn against them. All the curses written in this book will fall on them, and the Lord will blot out their names from under heaven.” Deuteronomy 29:16-20

“Catch for us the foxes,
    the little foxes
that ruin the vineyards,
    our vineyards that are in bloom.” Song of Solomon 2:15

Moses warns Israel of the inclinations of their wayward hearts. He recalls the years of slavery and wandering through the desert that exposed them to detestable things, and reminds them that the Lord had delivered them from all Egypt represented. They needed to be vigilant, aware of wily foxes that tempted them to harden their hearts, to turn affection away from the Lord to serve strange gods. He denounced the bitter root that can invade a mind and will to bear poisonous fruit, the arrogance of thinking they would not get caught in stubbornness or selfishness. The Lord was jealous and just, He loved his own, and He would exercise righteous anger against blatant rebellion. (Deuteronomy 29:22-29)

Just as the Israelites’ days of wandering offered an array of temptations, so do ours. Every path of industry, every dip of the toe in the world, every instigation or charged passion can jerk and sway our devotion to God. The turning of the eyes to despicable entertainment, the heart to greed, or the mind to stew on irritations or past wrongs or difficulties- all are the plot of the little foxes that would ruin our fruitfulness.

Where are we toying with the things of this world? How easily do we compare ourselves with others and deem our idolatry not as bad as theirs? How haughty we are to think the Lord will overlook our indulgences and wink an eye at strange affections! In what areas of daily life are we prone to coddling comfort and giving in to self-pleasure while ignoring the majesty and holiness of God?

What can we do to maintain pure devotion to God? To serve Him and not ourselves, His honor instead of our whims and emotions? Are we in His word enough to see and be humbled by its inerrancy, to revere its Author, to recognize our rebellion and errors? We know the sly devil incessantly pursues our deception and ruin, so how will we guard our ways?

“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart; O take and seal it;
seal it for thy courts above.” ~ Robert Robinson (1758)

Lord, keep me ever vigilant, honoring and obeying You to the utmost.

“If you see your fellow Israelite’s ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to its owner. If they do not live near you or if you do not know who owns it, take it home with you and keep it until they come looking for it. Then give it back. Do the same if you find their donkey or cloak or anything else they have lost. Do not ignore it.

“If you see your fellow Israelite’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it. Help the owner get it to its feet.” Deuteronomy 22:1-4

“Let love be genuine... Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor…

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly… Give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:9-10,15-18

“In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4

“Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12

God’s law given to Moses covered many particular areas of life, and revealed His heart for man’s heart. While commands were to be followed, the motive and end mattered most. The Lord desired a people who deeply cared about His honor and each other as fellow image-bearers, so they would reflect His character as they carried His word to the world.

The command to care about and for a brother is clear. The God of small things takes notice of and is concerned for the intricacies of His children’s lives, and demands we own that same compassion and purity through and through. He gave the law as a framework for our living in relationships with others, to give structure, discipline, and guidance. His commands also serve to show us how we fall short and are in desperate need of Him in order to be Christ-like in our dealings with one another.

Do I really care about other people? Do I pick and choose those easiest to love, and only there invest my heart? Do I assume the worst and judge brusqueness or unwelcome as a character flaw, or do I make an effort to explore what is going on in the lives of those more difficult to love?

How deliberately do I spend time and attention to observe, get to know, and anticipate sorrows, burdens, or needs? How willing and interested am I to listen to their stories? When I notice or am made aware of specific needs, what do I do about it? What effort do I put into restoring another person, or lifting them up through encouragement, help, and friendship? Are my relationships about me, or about them? (Isaiah 50:4)

Acknowledging daily that I’m God’s child, chosen to serve for His glory, refreshes my impetus to care. Will I ask for His eyes and heart today? His Spirit directs motivation and fuels effort expended for others’ sake. (Isaiah 49:3)

Father, help me care about and love others the way You do me, so they are built up and You are glorified.