As the rain and snow

“God was displeased with this thing, and he struck Israel. David said to God, ‘I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly…’

“So the Lord sent a pestilence on Israel, and 70,000 men of Israel fell.  God sent the angel to Jerusalem to destroy it, but as he was about to destroy it, the Lord saw, and relented from the calamity. He said to the angel who was working destruction, ‘It is enough; stay your hand.’ And the angel of the Lord was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite… 

“As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David and went out and paid homage to David with his face to the ground. David said, ‘Give me the site of the threshing floor that I may build on it an altar to the Lord—give it to me at its full price—that the plague may be averted from the people.’ Ornan said to David, ‘Take it, and let my lord the king do what seems good to him. See, I give the oxen for burnt offerings and the threshing sledges for the wood and the wheat for a grain offering; I give it all.’ But King David said to Ornan, ‘No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.’ So David paid Ornan 600 shekels of gold for the site. And David built there an altar to the Lord and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings and called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him with fire from heaven… Then the Lord commanded the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath.

“At that time, when David saw that the Lord had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he sacrificed there.” 1 Chronicles 21:7-8,14-15,21-28

David had ordered Joab to number Israel, dishonoring God through his desire for a census. Once convicted of his sin’s gravity, he pled for forgiveness. The Lord forgave, yet meted out punishment to teach him once again that there is no cheap grace. David understood there was a cost to be paid to restore a right relationship with God. Prophetic were these lessons to the bearer of Christ’s seed, that man’s offerings are but a foreshadow of the ultimate sacrifice to come in the Messiah. (2 Samuel 12:7-15; 1 Chronicles 21:1-4)

All sin bears a penalty that must be paid. On man’s part, we willingly give something of value for something more valuable, yet cannot atone for our sins. Only Jesus’s once-for-all sacrifice, the indescribable gift of Himself, was the perfect atonement for sin. (Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Hebrews 10:1-3,11-14)

Have we humbly realized the infinite cost Christ paid on our behalf? What do we sacrifice in response? What praise when our circumstances aren’t praiseworthy? What gratitude when we’d rather complain? What means when we’d prefer to spend on ourselves? What service when we want to be served? True offerings are costly.

Lord, may I deeply cherish the costly sacrifice of Jesus, and daily offer my glad, generous all for Your honor and glory.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.” 1 Peter 5:8-9

“Fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever.” “I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man… [T]hey will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain… And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light.'” Revelation 20:9-10; 21:3-4; 22:5

He knows the creatures that lurk at night,
only in darkness, out of sight,
but pesky all, those creeping things
who riddle the spirit and undo kings

Those nudges that scatter me out of the way
of God’s true light, the pure of day,
they poke and push into shadows dark
where I can stew, and temptations park

They’re minions of the enemy,
relentlessly prowling to get at me,
the taste of bitterness falsely sweet,
the pebble irritation that grates my feet

The pests of bitterness, anger, and shame
that keep me tangled, frozen, and lame;
the tasty lure of prurient thought,
the lusty want of what others bought

The cloying claw of anxiety,
the senseless fret at what might be,
the striving for things that do not matter,
the waste of time climbing pride’s ladder

The self-centered focus of living for me,
ignoring the hurts and cares and needs
of others in God’s image made
whose lives are lost, with troubles weighed

So I must attune my ears to hear
their scratching advances that creep so near,
I must stay vigilant to see
the demons who come after me

I must learn their wily cries
and recognize their whispered lies,
stay keen and alert to their sneaky advance
and never give their allure a chance

And look them boldly in the eye,
and shout, ‘be gone! I will deny
your power to have a hold on me,
for I’m redeemed, I’ve been set free!

‘Your nightly prowl may slink and linger
but to you, vile pest, I raise my finger
and point you gone, out from my life!
I’m saved and sealed and done with strife!’

I choose to come into the sun
and raise my hands to the Holy One,
to follow Him, clothed in His power,
to flee the devil every hour

So I in freedom can serve and love,
with clear eyes for my God above,
spreading light where e’er I go,
His gospel hope and grace to show

That those entrenched in darkness drear
can know the peace of God is near,
can be loosened from the night
and to salvation wing faith’s flight

Night creatures there will always be
but they need not unsettle me;
their doom is sure, endless light I’ll see,
when the grace-saved rise to eternity. (PEB)

Lord, grant daily resolve to resist the devil and hope in Your triumph.

“Does not wisdom call?
    Does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights beside the way,
    at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
    at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
‘To you I call,
    my cry is to the children of man.
O simple ones, learn prudence;
    O fools, learn sense.
Hear, for I will speak noble things,
    and from my lips will come what is right,
for my mouth will utter truth…
All the words of my mouth are righteous;
    there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
They are all straight to him who understands,
    and right to those who find knowledge.
Take my instruction instead of silver,
    and knowledge rather than choice gold,
for wisdom is better than jewels,
    and all that you may desire cannot compare with her…

“‘I have counsel and sound wisdom;
    I have insight; I have strength.
By me kings reign,
    and rulers decree what is just;
by me princes rule,
    and nobles, all who govern justly.
I love those who love me,
    and those who seek me diligently find me.
Riches and honor are with me,
    enduring wealth and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
    and my yield than choice silver.'” Proverbs 8:1-11,14-19

She calls! She is everywhere available! Wisdom offers to all her noble, right, righteous, straight instruction. To own her is precious treasure and bestows invaluable honor. Her counsel, insight, and strength adorn justice and authority for those who diligently seek her. (Proverbs 1:20-21)

The voices of the world are loud, its trinkets enticing. The devil’s intent is to disguise unrighteousness and betrayal in glitz and glamour, offering a daily menu full of godless entertainment, advice, and expertise. Folly entices by promising freedom and requiring no restraint, while it actually ensnares and leads to destruction. We cannot neglect wisdom. Befriend her! The eternal wellspring found in fear of the Lord is ours for the taking. (Proverbs 2:6; 4:5-9; 8:33-35; 9:10)

We constantly expend time and emotion, and choose what occupies attention and heart. To develop discernment, we must keep wisdom our constant companion. She sets our mind clear and path straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

How will we better befriend her? Where do we entertain folly, spending inordinate time in self-indulgence, impermanence, worldly pursuits and their attending worldview? Do we listen more to popular opinions and mantras, or the word of God? Where have we made casualness, disorder, or frivolity our friend to the neglect of discipline and understanding, and how will we reorder our priorities? (Proverbs 10:23)

Behavior, mindset, and language reveal who our friends are. When we walk with the wise we grow wise, but friending fools is to our detriment. There is great blessing, pleasure, and peace in companionship with wisdom, but emptiness, anxiety, and waste with folly. Might wisdom be my best friend, and if so, what will I give today to nurture that friendship? (Proverbs 10:22-24; 13:20)

“Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that thou art.
Thou my best thought by day and by night;
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true Word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord.
Thou my great Father, I thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.” ~Dallán Forgaill (6th C)

Amen!

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you…

“This is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.” 1 Peter 5:6-12

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

The command comes with full knowledge and sober warning: this enemy is vicious and unrelenting, bent on destruction. Peter knew well the insidious nature of the one who sought to sift him as wheat, and the lavish mercy and restoration the Lord extended when he fell. He bolsters the command with clear affirmation of available arsenal and the Victor who stands ready to aid and assure. (Luke 22:31-32; John 10:10; 21:15-17)

We’re never alone in temptation. Our Advocate exemplifies withstanding every facet of temptation without sin, and His indwelling Spirit enables us to resist also. Are we alert and courageous enough? The world tries to convince us there’s no real enemy, no need to fight, but conscience proves this is not true. (Romans 8:31-34; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18; Hebrews 4:15-16)

How aware are we of the viciousness of the devil? How convinced of the greater power of God? How vigilantly do we resist Satan’s lies with truth, his tricks with holy resolve? Regular resistance training keeps us alert and fortifies faith. (1 John 4:4)

“A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God’s own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!” ~Martin Luther (1529)

Lord, may I boldly resist the enemy, to Your honor.

“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”’ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:37-39

“Keep your heart with all vigilance,
    for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45

On the last day feast of booths, which commemorated God’s faithful provision during Israel’s wilderness journeying, Jesus drew attention to their desert lifeline, water. In remembrance of God’s magnificent supply for their physical thirst, He announces that those who spiritually thirst can come to Him and receive living water. His was one that slaked soul thirst forever and flowed forth with Christ’s love and life. (John 4:10-14)

In order to guard our hearts, we need honest assessment of what we allow in and what issues forth. We might think we’re careful about what we let in, yet see that what comes out indicates anything but Christ. It is impossible to be filled with filth and soul pollution and be able to issue love and grace, just as it is impossible, when filled with His Spirit, to flow with anything but.

What does our heart outflow portray? What do we sound like? Is our default response to people and problems around us to nay-say, grouse, let fly irritations or criticisms or harsh correction? What do these reveal about pride and pompous self-righteousness in our hearts? Is it more important for us to be right or have the last say or ‘win,’ or for us to promote love and Christ-likeness? How about our embrace of others unlike us, who make us uncomfortable? Do we ignore or snub, or set aside our preferences to serve them? What will it take to gracefully agree with someone, to concede, to return mistreatment or mistakes with blessing? (Romans 12:10,14,17-21)

How can we more faithfully keep watch on our hearts? In what areas is the Lord calling us to come clean so we can be renewed, and satisfied? How might we then better flow with grace, patience, genuine love, and compassion toward others?

“O for a heart to praise my God,
a heart from sin set free,
a heart that always feels Thy blood
so freely shed for me.

A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
my great Redeemer’s throne,
where only Christ is heard to speak,
where Jesus reigns alone.

A humble, lowly, contrite heart,
believing, true, and clean,
which neither life nor death can part
from Christ who dwells within.

A heart in ev’ry thought renewed
and full of love divine,
perfect and right and pure and good,
a copy, Lord, of Thine.

Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart;
come quickly from above;
write Thy new name upon my heart,
Thy new best name of Love.” ~Charles Wesley (1742)

Lord, fill me to overflow with You, to Your glory.

“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.  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…  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.  So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 5:16-25; 6:7-10

Paul knew human nature well, and had struggled with the flesh enough that he wrote convincingly, with candor, humility, and conviction. Walking by the Spirit or by the flesh were two disparate choices, fueled by distinct motivations, their paths leading in opposite directions. He warned against deception to ongoing sin and the outflow of immorality and godlessness, and made clear that sowing to the Spirit was the way to fruitful, eternal life. His encouragement was always God-ward! (Romans 7:14-25)

Every hour of every day we sow something, making choices or spending time or speaking words that spread roots and sprout to varied effects. What we say and do yields for the Spirit or for the flesh. The enemy would fool us into thinking our choices have no lasting bearing, that we are only to live for the present, that relishing pleasures of the flesh will satisfy. The Spirit not only leads otherwise, but inspires and strengthens us to make those right decisions.

Do we consider the way we walk? Who or what fuels our desires, and who or what are we seeking to gratify? Often choices are made spontaneously, by emotion, with no discernment of personal motive or thought for consequence. In those cases, usually the flesh wins out, and nothing good results. Deliberate decisions made in the Spirit and for the Spirit will grow in His nurture and direction and bear good fruit.

What works of the flesh nag and deplete? What fruit of the Spirit would be like to cultivate? In what situations have we grown weary of doing good? How can adjusting our steps to the Spirit’s and sowing our efforts unto Him change our sense of direction and fulfillment? When will we, by His grace, get started?

Lord, set me sowing to Your Spirit and living fruitfully for Your glory.

“Though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

“Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free…

“’Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed…

“‘You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him… He is a liar and the father of lies.'” John 8:31-32,34-36,44

Paul entreated the Corinthians to consider their spiritual standing. If they were truly saved, they would recognize the unseen battle for their minds. If steeped in truth and confident in their salvation, they would be able to counter argument and opposition captive only to His wisdom and power. Jesus had made clear the freedom in which Christians live.

Before knowing Christ, all are captive to worthless but persuasive gods of the world. Jesus came to set captives free, and by His grace we can know the lovely fulfillment of serving as His bondslave alone. True freedom from slavery to sin causes such a love for Christ to well up in us that we gratefully yield mind, heart, and soul to our Savior’s captivity. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Where have we become too comfortable with sin habits? Where do we dismiss negative attitudes, hatred of certain people groups, laziness in spiritual disciplines as not really bad, or as simply who we are, or tendencies impossible to change? What company do we keep that fosters godless thinking, language, and behavior? What choices of entertainment unsettle or deplete rather than nourish our souls? What lures us into a godless worldview?

If there is any situation where we are quenching the Holy Spirit, we must pay attention and deal with it by God’s power. He calls us to stand firm and refuse the allure and entanglements of worldly principles. He is sufficient for help and victory, His armor is effective. By His redeeming grace we are bound to His benevolent Lordship, free to serve and love with abandon and joy. (Matthew 19:26; Galatians 4:8-9; 5:1,13; Ephesians 6:11-18; Hebrews 4:15–16)

“He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race;
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.

Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!” ~ Charles Wesley (1738)

Lord, take captive my heart and mind to bring You the glory You deserve.

“Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one..— with far greater labors, more imprisonments, with countless beatings, often near death.  Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.  Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;  on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, from robbers, from my own people, from Gentiles, in the city, in the wilderness, at sea, from false brothers;  in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And,.. there is the daily pressure of my anxiety for all the churches… 

“To keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me…  Three times I pleaded with the Lord… that it should leave me.  But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 11:23-28; 12:7-10

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice… Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…

“I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:4,6-7,11b-13

Though constantly opposed, attacked, and criticized, Paul had a singly-focused passion: Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The death of Christ had become life to him when his life was inverted: crucified with Him, he lived for His gospel. No circumstances, however harrowing or painful, could shake his contentment in the One who’d given His all for him. Remaining connected to Him by faith, in grateful, confident prayer, was his joyful lifeline. (Galatians 2:20)

For man, we get connected to people and things, successes and happenings, and attempt to fix an elusive happiness there. Consequently, we’re easily jostled in spirit when anything goes awry in a relationship, a job we enjoy, with a treasured possession or easy circumstances. It’s a constant discipline to let go of things of this earth, release anxieties, set our hearts and minds on things above, and continually pray with expectancy and thanksgiving. The discontent fixate on all that is wrong and troubling, while the content think on whatever is true, noble, and right. (Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:1-3)

Do I suffer with discontent? Am I more apt to complain than compliment, to react with angst than rejoice with gladness? How familiar with and connected to the Lord and His good promises am I? The more saturated in His word, the more content I’ll be in ongoing communion and all circumstances. How will I connect anew with my Lord today?

Lord, keep me connected to and content in You, to Your praise.

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats’ hair, tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood, oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece.  And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.” Exodus 25:1-9

Before God gave particular instructions for the construction of the tabernacle, the tent where He would meet with his people, he enlisted through Moses their willing contributions. He needed material for the beauty and utility of the tent, and He invited everyone to participate. Each whose heart would move him was to give of their belonging and treasure to make Him a sanctuary where He would meet and dwell with them.

In our churches, and our communities of fellowship, worship, and caring for one another, we are each called to contribute. With varied opportunities to participate only in part, we can fall into an attitude of being spectators. We conjure many excuses for not being present- from inconvenience to discomfort to insecurity to frustration with people to preference of ease, and settle in to being takers instead of givers. We relish what we receive but fail to give from the treasure of our resources and gifts. We want to be served rather than serve.

Oh how selfish is the flesh! Not so Jesus. The unblemished One, completely undeserving, took on all our sin to bear the reproach and punishment we deserved, giving His all for us. He contributed everything in love- sacrificial, whole, unadulterated love. We finagle and bargain and hoard, to our shame and detriment. He came not to be served, but to serve. (Isaiah 53:4-11; Matthew 20:28; John 13:14-15; Philippians 2:1–8; 1 Peter 4:10)

How can we rid of a self-centered, pleasure-induced, culture-promoted mindset to take on that of Christ? When will we lay our all before the cross to reorient to the example of Jesus, freely offering for the good of His kingdom? The Holy Spirit who inspires the will and emboldens desire and also changes minds and opens hearts and hands.

What are we doing to contribute to God’s sanctuary? How do we participate in the treasure the church extends to her people? What are we giving to make for beauty, practical requirements, ongoing refreshment and teaching for God’s people? How are we building fellowship, fostering meaningful relationships, building up with encouragement, and spreading the fragrance of love and compassion? Honoring His sanctuary magnifies His presence in our midst.

“When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.” ~Isaac Watts (1707)

Father, may I daily spend myself whole-heartedly and sacrificially for Your glory and Your Church’s good.

“In the beginning was the Word… In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world… 

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory,.. full of grace and truth… No one has ever seen God; God the only Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.

“And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent… to ask him, ‘Who are you?’..  He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord…”

“‘I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.’ 

“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me…” For this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel… I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.’” John 1:1,4-9,14,18-19,23,26-27,29-31,34

John the Baptist, the final prophet, was clear about his calling and message. He, a miracle child to his elderly barren parents, had been sent by God the Father as a witness of light. The true light, Jesus, was coming into the world darkened by sin to take away sin. His life mission was to bear witness so people would behold the Lamb of God. (Luke 1:5-15)

Jesus is the light in whom is no darkness, and we presently live in a world rife with spiritual darkness, conflict, and degradation. Crudeness and immorality abound as daily issues crowd our minds and hours. We may sense a holy purpose to bear witness, but fail to see how it fits into pressing responsibilities, or doubt its efficacy in the ugly clamor of the culture. It’s into this very murky slough that we’re to shine light. (John 8:12; Ephesians 6:12; Philippians 2:13-16; 1 John 1:5)

The enemy assaults with doubts and discouragement, convincing us we don’t have time to prepare, our witness won’t have effect, or there are smarter, more eloquent people to speak. Whose voice are we allowing to win? The devil is wily, but God places us specifically in life, employment, and service to do His work. His is the light that makes a difference. (Esther 4:14; 1 Corinthians 3:5-6)

Every Christian is sent as a witness to Jesus, as those transformed by grace to proclaim and extend grace. How seriously and zealously do we take this assignment? To whom are we proclaiming Him as the perfect Lamb? Where are we brightly shining His truth and goodness- elevating conversation, showing compassion, giving selflessly? An effectual call from God through us moves people. Our responsibility is to be faithful, all results are His. (John 1:35-37)

Lord, cleanse me from anything that would dull a bright witness, and help me courageously, joyfully proclaim Jesus in all His glory.