As the rain and snow

“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
    O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
    to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

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,
    more than watchmen for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord!
    For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
    and with him is plentiful redemption.
And he will redeem Israel
    from all his iniquities.” Psalm 130

The Psalmist cries from depths of life on earth to the God of heaven. Would the Lord hear his voice! Would the Lord apply His mercy! His longing was rooted in certain belief of God’s forgiveness, yet full redemption was yet to come. In the strange place between now and not yet was hope, whose home was there. Here he could wait, make his abode in the Lord’s word, reside in His steadfast love.

All days for believers here below are a training, a term, an in-between awaiting eternity in God’s presence. While living we long, while growing we groan. Hope’s substance and strength indwells this strange but necessary place as the sun hides yet burns its light. Here it takes shape as reality, the invisible grasped, the unearthly familiar. (Romans 8:18-26a)

We miss out on the density and sustenance of hope when we become too embroiled in the world, and take no time or thought for things eternal. Circumstances throw their challenges and we jump in to fix or out to avoid, yet don’t embrace the deeper lessons of the moment. Existing and busying only in the present, we cannot perceive the invitation to long for ultimate redemption. Having no room for more than the urgent, we miss out on hope’s beautiful tension and exquisite comfort.

Are we suffering shame, desperation, or despair? Have we been caught in a vortex of anxiety, or loneliness, or a vacuum of vitality or desire? Into the soul’s depths God’s mercy seeps. The searing sting of shame His forgiving balm soothes. As we wait, He meets us to make hope real.

What keeps us looking down when He bids us look up? What hopelessness can we release to His attention? What hope is His word speaking?

“Be still, my soul! the Lord is on your side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul! your best, your heav’nly friend
Thru’ thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul! your God does undertake
To guide the future as he has the past;
Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he lived below.

Be still, my soul! the hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still my soul! when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.” ~Kathrina von Schlegel (1752)

Lord, help me wait with joyful expectation of You.

“We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16

“The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.” Psalm 69:9

“As we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” 2 Corinthians 1:5

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own.., but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” Philippians 2:5-8; 3:7-12

“Rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” 1 Peter 4:13-14

When God created man in His image, He blessed man with an exquisite ability to share in facets of His experience, character, and Spirit. Since the fall, those who believe are through life sanctified to be more and more like Him. This ongoing process involves sharing in His reproach and deliverance, suffering and comfort, temptation and victory, death and resurrection life. (1 John 3:2)

When we set out on our own way, we choose independence over sharing anything. We prefer to structure our days how we want toward self-determined ends with no intrusions or interruptions. We’re driven to activities and interactions by personal ambition, in our own strength. Neglecting a heavenly mindset, we pursue earthly goals with earthly means. We might even achieve some temporal satisfaction.

But when we offer ourselves as living sacrifices, we’ll increasingly desire to share His mind, will, and vitality. The Christ-life that involves dejection, suffering, and temptation, will most sweetly also share His loving comfort, resurrection power, and victory. Are we welcoming and enjoying this fellowship? (Matthew 6:33; Romans 12:1-2)

How will we open ourselves to deeper intimacy with Christ? Every shared experience brings greater knowing and increased Christ-likeness that glorifies Him.

“Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!” ~Charles Wesley (1739)

Lord, may I willingly share in all You have done and are, to Your glory and praise.

“Of the Son he says,

“’Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.’

“And,

“’You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment,
like a robe you will roll them up,
like a garment they will be changed.
But you are the same,
and your years will have no end.'” Hebrews 1:7-12

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place
in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:1-2

The writer of Hebrews brings eternity past into the present by uniting the eternal nature of God’s glory and the prophecies of the past into the radiance of Jesus on earth. The eternal God, who is Himself His children’s dwelling place, made His abode among men to unite heaven and earth and invite them into His mysterious, everlasting home to dwell. The Creator who roots His people in the foundations of earth prepares them for its end as they know it, and promised recreation. The meantime is for familiarizing themselves with Him, the true shalom, Home. (John 14:2-3; Hebrews 2:8-10; 3:6; Revelation 21:1-4)

“Thus says the Lord:
‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool;
what is the house that you would build for me,
and what is the place of my rest?
All these things my hand has made,
and so all these things came to be,
declares the Lord.
But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:1-2

The tensions we feel here on earth as we change our spaces and settle in places are innate. Made for eternity yet set in time, we have a desire for home, the shalom of peace and belonging, for a place readied for us. Surrounded by choices, we can try many a temporal experience or location looking for the right fit. Too often we wander from the Lord’s best, or settle into complacency in our living arrangements. We get fine with comfy and convenient and never pursue more. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Where am I looking for true home? Do I try every activity, taste a variety of friendships, jump from group to group, hoping to find welcome and belonging? Do I plow into work for satisfaction and identity? Where do I wrestle with jealousies, insignificance, loneliness, insecurity over importance?

If our true home is in Christ, how does that change our stewardship of present resources of time, attention, and energy? How could it inspire hope in yearnings, and heighten our sensibilities, if we considered earthly homes from a heavenly point of view? Christ, our forever dwelling place, has opened His door. (Revelation 3:20)

“Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.” ~ St. Augustine (397AD)

Lord, in my earthly sojourn, please keep me longing for and satisfied with my home in You.

“Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. Avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene…

“Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will…

“For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.  Avoid such people….

“As for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work…

“The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. But as for you, always be sober-minded.” 2 Timothy 2:14-17,22-26; 3:2-5,14-17; 4:3-5a

Paul’s loving letter to Timothy charges him to rightly handle and proclaim God’s truth. Life father, like spiritual son. He must remind his fellow believers to do the same to avert wandering off into the many prevailing untruths, myths, and false teachings that fueled irreverence, quarrels, and disobedience. The antidote? God’s living, powerfully-working word.

Popular culture presents a tangle of practices, ideas, controversies, and whims for us to fondle and espouse. Emotions and opinions lead us astray from what is good, and disrupt the best of relationships and clearest of teaching. Without being led by God and His word, we easily veer from His path into many a downward, destructive mindset and ugly habit. (Psalm 119:105)

It’s important to recognize what actually leads us to think and behave as we do. It is easy to keep in motion, physically or mentally, continuing in natural (and worldly) progression without considering our impetus. Ungrounded and misdirected, words and passions breed disordered loves and increasing ungodliness.

How do we redirect with the rightful Leader? Know, handle, and embrace the word of truth! Avoid caustic talk, flee temptation, and run after all that is good and holy!

Alongside whom are we pursuing purity, kindness, and godliness? What habitual spiritually-detrimental practices need to cease? How will we pursue loving God more than self? God’s word keeps us sober-minded and wise.

Lord, lead me in truth and righteousness, to your honor.

With my whole heart I seek you…
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!..
In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes;
I not forget your word.

Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things in your law…
Your testimonies are my delight,..
my counselors… the joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes
forever.” Psalm 119:10-12,14-16,18,24,111-112

This psalm is chock full of praise, commitment, and earnest delight in God’s word. In itself it is a storehouse of wisdom. The psalmist’s account of longing and blessing fixes eye, mind, and affection on God’s good commands. Keeping them brings life, strength, clarity, right priorities, protection from sin, comfort, hope, peace, and assurance. The very song that expresses dependence on God’s word through the alphabet, relevant from beginning to end, is worthy to be stored and recited. (Psalm 119:25-28,32-37,41-48,75-77)

Through life we accumulate many things: ideas, knowledge, opinions, friendships, achievements, experiences, material goods. Every day we make choices how to spend time and where to direct effort. We formulate perceptions, train muscles, consume and act surrounding what we deem important or necessary. From where do we draw inner strength, wisdom, guidance for these outward endeavors?

What do our heart storehouses hold? What do we believe in, treasure, and expend effort to accrue? Where do we look for sustenance, fortitude, direction, inspiration? What we value, meditate on, pursue, and enjoy dictates what we store within, and what then in turn determines our life outflow. (Psalm 119:97-105,127)

If we want to be mighty in God’s strength, store His word! If we seek discernment and understanding, store His word! If we want fruitful relationships, and to emanate the fragrance of Christ, store His word! If we desire to make a difference in God’s kingdom and to serve for His sake, store His word! His storehouse is life-giving and never runs dry. (2 Corinthians 2:14-15)

“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in God’s excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you God 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.

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.” ~ R. Keen (1787)

Lord, keep me storing up and delighting in Your word, that my judgments and life reflect its glories.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle , a teacher… in faith and truth.

“I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves… with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.” 1 Timothy 2:1-10

Paul has just told Timothy the importance of warning against myths and false teaching, to align always with sound doctrine, and to wage good spiritual warfare in order to make Christ known. With that admonition, he set a clear priority: First of all, pray, with intercession and thanksgiving, for all those who were in authority over him. God had given governing authorities for good reason in society, and the very structure and fabric of his known world would have bearing on how well he could fulfill his calling. Therefore, he must pray for them before embarking on any effort. (Romans 13:1-4; 1 Timothy 1:3-4,18-19)

As individuals with ambition and plans, we tend to charge ahead. If we have set or been given an assignment, we get to it in full throttle, driving to achieve. The thought of stopping forward motion to pray, especially for those who could impede our progress, is not pleasant. How about simply asking for God’s blessing on our efforts?

The Lord sets first things first. To bow before Him establishes an attitude of humility, dependence, and surrender. It digs deep to uncover prejudices and angst and callouses in our attitudes. It rearranges our priorities to consider the Lord and His grand schemes before our own. It clears our perspective and sets right focus.

What do we tend to as ‘first of alls’? How do we begin our days- looking out, or up? Reading news or social media or God’s powerful living word? Exercising our bodies or our spirits? Setting our agenda or seeking the Lord’s? When He is first of all, that ‘all’ falls into glorious place. It may not be easy, or simple, or clear, but we can know it is His.

How highly do we value and prioritize time in prayer? If it is an afterthought, how can we make it a forethought? What practical steps will we take to keep appointments with our Lord?

What gripes, irritations, bitterness, or anger need to be put in perspective and transformed? What dishonoring habits need be repented of? How will we add thanksgiving to all of our requests, and so expand our expectation, shape our requests, and please the Lord? Prayer turns grousing to gratitude, anxiety to hope, darkness to light. (Matthew 6:7-13,25-32; 7:7-8; Philippians 4:6-7)

Father, keep me keeping You first of all, that You be honored.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother… that it may go well with you…’ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

“Obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man.” Ephesians 6:1-7

“You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:24

“I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:1-5

“No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” 2 Timothy 2:4

The Lord has established a regimen of priority for His people to flourish. The goal of His placement is to train His people to put Him first in every allegiance, and so enjoy the blessings of an ordered, peaceful life. Paul addresses several earthly leaders God has instituted who are to be respected and obeyed. As he pokes at conscience and self-will, he also presents what pleases the Lord. (1 Corinthians 14:33)

Every submission to one God has placed over us is an opportunity to say no to self and yes to Him. We may not like nor find it easy to follow familial, employment, or governing authorities, but God’s command reaches past our preferences. He intends us, in putting Him first, to see with fresh eyes and address our will. A commitment to, and practice of, obedience forms in us more malleable willingness to be changed, and greater expectation of God’s higher purposes. Life isn’t just about me, but about glorifying the Lord in all circumstances and attitudes. Where are we leading ahead of God?

In our various venues of life, who are our leaders, and what is our innate response to them? What authority over us deserves greater respect as God’s assigned leader? How might the Lord realign our impulses and thinking, and adjust our want-to, if we determine to pray regularly and submit willingly out of reverence for Him? Accepting that the Lord is the true Leader whom we aim to please sets our allegiances aright in all situations.

“Living for Jesus a life that is true,
striving to please Him in all that I do,
yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
this is the pathway of blessing for me.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee;
for Thou, in Thine attonement,
didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other master;
my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.” ~Thomas Chisolm (1917)

Lord, help me, moment by moment, to follow You with all my being, to Your glory and ends.

“Woe to that wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards,
to the fading flower, his glorious beauty,
set on the head of a fertile valley—
to that city, the pride of those laid low by wine!
See, the Lord has one who is powerful and strong.
Like a hailstorm and a destructive wind,
like a driving rain and a flooding downpour,
he will throw it forcefully to the ground.
That wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards,
will be trampled underfoot.
That fading flower, his glorious beauty,
set on the head of a fertile valley,
will be like figs ripe before harvest—
as soon as people see them and take them in hand,
they swallow them.

“In that day the Lord Almighty
will be a glorious crown,
a beautiful wreath
for the remnant of his people.
He will be a spirit of justice
to the one who sits in judgment,
a source of strength
to those who turn back the battle at the gate…

“So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“’See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who relies on it
will never be stricken with panic.'” Isaiah 28:1-6,16

Isaiah pronounces devastating woe on those who trusted in their own crowns. The crown of God’s imagination- His people- had misused their gift of agency and land of promise in prideful living, and the Lord would surely judge. He alone was supreme, all-knowing, and just. All Ephraim (Israel) had known as beautiful was ruined by her lusts and extravagances, and God would surely ruin her fading prominence and establish Himself as King and cornerstone.

In the flesh, when we think we have a right to rule, we invert priorities. With disordered affections and selfish drive, we fall into casual and callous living. We boast a high view of self, which necessarily diminishes God to an inferior place. All He has crowned our lives with- His graces and favor- gets adulterated and abused, only to be crushed by the One rightful Regent.

God who made us to know and glorify Him will not abide our unfaithfulness. He will surely hold us to account, and make Himself known as the only One worthy of allegiance and honor. Once we yield to His sovereign authority, we clearly understand that all we held as important and treasured is due Him. (Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Galatians 6:7; Philippians 3:8)

“And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

“’Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.’” Revelation 4:9-11

Where and when do we serve ourselves? How has pride warped a high view of God, and what will we do to correct our order of worship? What petty grievances, prurient modes of entertainment, or indulgences need be crushed so we can honorably crown the King of kings?

Lord, come daily to put me in my place, so You alone are exalted.

“What shall I do with you, O Ephraim?
What shall I do with you, O Judah?
Your love is like a morning cloud,
like the dew that goes early away.”

“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
The more they were called,
the more they went away;
they kept… burning offerings to idols.

“Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk;
I took them up by their arms,
but they did not know that I healed them.
I led them with cords of kindness,
with the bands of love…
and I bent down to them and fed them…
My people are bent on turning away from me…

“How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, O Israel?..
My compassion grows warm and tender.”

“There is no faithfulness or steadfast love,
and no knowledge of God in the land;
there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery;
they break all bounds…”

“Come, let us return to the Lord;
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has struck us down, and he will bind us up…
Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord;
his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth.”

“Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God,
for you have stumbled because of your iniquity…
Say to him,
‘Take away all iniquity…’

“I will heal their apostasy;
I will love them freely…
They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow;
they shall flourish like the grain;
they shall blossom like the vine.” Hosea 6:4; 11:1-4,7-8; 4:1-2; 6:1,3; 14:1-2,4,7

The prophet Hosea lives a life and tells of life that is in and out of love with the Lord. The portrait of the loving God, steadfast and strong, is a beautiful backdrop to the fickle affections of God’s people. The contrast between Divine love poured out and that love rebuffed is startling and meant to convict. Oh, that the people would return to the God who redeems rebels!

God provides, we resist. He pursues, we remonstrate. He prevails, we repent and are mercifully, lavishly restored. These are all gifts from a gracious God who goes after His own, though our love for Him evaporates with cares of the day. He guides, He tends, He woos in love. We turn, we transgress, we lust after idols. He awaits and wills our return, arms wide with the promise of healing and flourishing. His love never fails.

When we walk away from the Lord, we might think we’re free, but cannot shake the heaviness of guilt or shame. We refuse His provision and go after false fixes when we really need God’s cleansing. The only way to healing and wholeness is to return to the Lover of our souls.

What causes resistance to His love? What has made us turn away, our hearts grow cold? Where have we run? What keeps us from confessing sin habits of deed and attitude, and accepting His good cleansing? If His spirit is stirring, return! Give it up, lay it down, cease from stumbling, choose to return His love with love and adoration. There is no better time than now.

Loving Lord, keep me pressing on to know, abide in, and honor You in reciprocal love.

“He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;
the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
He makes grass grow for the cattle,
and plants for people to cultivate—
bringing forth food from the earth:
wine that gladdens human hearts,
oil to make their faces shine,
and bread that sustains their hearts.
The trees of the Lord are well watered,
the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
There the birds make their nests;
the stork has its home in the junipers.” Psalm 104:13-17

The psalmist’s praise of his majestic Lord describes His splendid order and the extravagant richness and purposes of nature. God created land and growing plants for man’s exercise and satisfaction in cultivation; for his productivity and lessons of cause and effect, pruning and fruitfulness; for enjoyment for the senses; and to supply nourishment and other needs for man and animal. Pleasure, health, and strength for those made in His image are His bounty, as well as are space and sustenance for creatures. In His grand design, all He plants cause wonder and praise. (Genesis 1:9-10,26-28; 2:8-9,15)

The Lord plants us where He does for practical and heavenly purposes too. Within families, workplaces, communities, and churches we have specific roles that exercise our gifts and contribute to those around us. Productivity in any of these places can be used by God to nourish, upbuild, compel progress and success, and give satisfaction. No one else has our specific proclivities or talents or motivations, and gladness is ours as we serve our Lord’s purposes where we are. (Acts 17:24-27)

In what land has He placed us at present? It may be a certain geographical location, or job role, a place of bereavement or waiting or longing, a challenging season or life adjustment. The God who planted us there is the same One who designed us for that very place, and supplies all we need to fulfill His purposes.

How vigorously are we growing, and gladdening hearts? Do we take seriously our stewardship of nourishment, resources, life itself, or do we greet our days with only casual care? In what particular areas does the Lord intend for our fruitfulness, and how are we fulfilling that? Do we fuss, compare, or covet, or dig in, establish roots, and flourish as we were meant to, with zeal? In what ways will we bring praise to our Creator today?

“All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.

Each little flow’r that opens,
each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.

The purple-headed mountain,
the river running by,
the sunset and the morning
that brightens up the sky.

The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden:
He made them every one.

He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well.

All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.” ~ Cecil Frances Alexander (1848)

Lord, may I ever rejoice where You have planted me, and live to gladden others and glorify You.