As the rain and snow

“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.

“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.