As the rain and snow

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: You have seen all the disaster that I brought upon Jerusalem and Judah. They are a desolation, and no one dwells in them, ³ because of the evil they committed, provoking me to anger, in that they went to make offerings and serve other gods… Yet I persistently sent to you all my servants the prophets…⁸ Why do you provoke me to anger with the works of your hands, making offerings to other gods.., so that you may be cut off and become a curse and a taunt among all the nations of the earth?.. Therefore.., I will set my face against you for harm, to cut off all Judah…’

“Then all the men who knew that their wives had made offerings to other gods, and the women who stood by, a great assembly.., answered Jeremiah: ‘As for the word you have spoken in the name of the Lord, we will not listen to you.  But we will do everything that we have vowed, make offerings to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, as we did.., in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. For then we had plenty of food, and prospered, and saw no disaster. But since we left off making offerings to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine…’ 

“Then Jeremiah said to all the people..: ‘As for the offerings you offered in the cities of Judah and streets of Jerusalem, you and your fathers, your kings and officials, and the people of the land, did not the Lord remember them? Did it not come into his mind? The Lord could no longer bear your evil deeds and the abominations that you committed. Therefore your land has become a desolation and a waste and a curse, without inhabitant… It is because you made offerings and because you sinned against the Lord and did not obey the voice of the Lord or walk in his law and statutes and testimonies that this disaster has happened to you, as at this day…’

“I will punish you in this place.” Jeremiah 44:2-4a,8,11,15-18,20-23,29

Jeremiah is consistent and relentless with God’s warnings to Judah, yet they repeatedly reject the words they do not like to hear. Rather than feeling conviction for their idolatry and recognizing God’s merciful pause and consequent just judgment, their deceived and stubborn minds think only false gods serve them for good. Truth falls hard on hard hearts, but it stands nonetheless.

Lessons rejected are revealing and instructional. How easy it is to credit ourselves with any good, and blame God for disaster. Embedded idolatry and repeated lies destroy perspective, distort truth, and harden our hearts from taking responsibility. While we are wont to condemn Israel’s calloused sensitivities and rebellious resistance to God’s word, we must recognize where we too eschew His warnings and fail to follow.

What excuses do we make, subconsciously or deliberately, for blatant sin? Comparisons and cultural decay do not excuse dishonoring God. Entertainment, self-gratification, and foreign gods are never to displace the Lord as first love. Where do we need to come clean? (Revelation 2:4)

How has the Lord patiently abided our spiritual sloth and ingratitude? What warnings from His word bring conviction? When we practice what He teaches, we grow in faith and Christ-likeness.

Lord, help me process and apply Your gracious lessons, to Your honor.

“It is you who light my lamp;
    the Lord my God lightens my darkness.
For by you I can run against a troop,
    and by my God I can leap over a wall.
This God—his way is perfect;
    the word of the Lord proves true;
    he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

For who is God, but the Lord?
    And who is a rock, except our God?—
the God who equipped me with strength
    and made my way blameless.
He made my feet like the feet of a deer
    and set me secure on the heights.
He trains my hands for war…
You have given me the shield of your salvation,
    your right hand supported me,
    and your gentleness made me great.
You gave a wide place for my steps under me,
    and my feet did not slip…
You equipped me with strength for the battle…

The Lord lives, blessed be my rock,
    exalted be the God of my salvation..—

For this I will praise you, O Lord,
    and sing to your name.
Great salvation he brings to his king.” Psalm 18:28-36,39a,46,49-50a

Many are the mentions in Scripture of lamps, from their burning in temple worship to their importance in military conquest to their significance in watching for the bridegroom’s coming. God’s word is likened to a lamp lighting the believer’s way. David’s praise of God as his strength, rock, shield, and deliverer presupposes the Lord’s salvation of his soul and expresses his grateful dependence on God’s ongoing supply for the light of his life. Any success of his was the result of God’s grace and bounty. (Exodus 27:20-21; Judges 7:16-22; Proverbs 6:23; Matthew 25:1-13; Luke 12:35)

We live in a dark world, the glory of God shrouded by sad effects of the fall. Immorality, profanity, sickness, relational and national divisions, suffering, betrayal, violence, and death all cast shadows on what the Lord intended for good. Jesus as Light of the world calls us to be filled with light and shine as lights for Him. (Genesis 1:31; Matthew 5:14-16; John 8:12; Philippians 2:14-16)

Where am I lacking Christ’s light? Do I need His inspiration in my spiritual disciplines, or at work? Am I lacking wisdom and insight in a particular situation or relationship? Do I need the light of hope in grief, comfort in discouragement, or fortitude in opposition? Have I coddled sin and need His forgiveness to free me from its darkness? Look to the Lord for light! (Psalm 119:105; 1 John 1:7-9)

When we turn to the Lord to fill our lamps- of soul, mind, outlook, or priorities- we can trust His Spirit’s supply. As we then walk in that light, delighting in His presence, we will be able to rejoice in its illumination and divine effects. When have we last enumerated the many ways God has lightened our darkness? Staying filled with Christ’s light ensures security, hope, and inner joy. (Psalm 36:9; Ephesians 5:18-20)

“Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, 
give me oil in my lamp, I pray;
give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, 
keep me burning till the break of day.

Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising, 
give me love in my heart, I pray;
give me peace in my heart, keep me loving, 
keep me burning till the break of day.” ~ A. Sevison (20th c)

Lord, light my lamp daily, so I might burn for Thee.

“The Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land I will show you…’

“So Abram went, as the Lord had told him… [at] seventy-five years old… to go to the land of Canaan… And there he built an altar and called upon the name of the Lord.” Genesis 12:1,4-5,8

“The Lord came and stood, calling.., ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant hears.'” 1 Samuel 3:10

“As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed him.” Matthew 9:9

“Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.” Mark 1:16-20

“When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about this man?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!'” John 21:21-22

Peppered through the Scriptures are accounts of the magnetic, effective call of the Lord. Individuals responded to God’s voice by following not a path nor prescription nor project, but Him. As Christ directed His call to the early disciples, they decisively abandoned what they were doing to follow the One who issued the call.

Many are the voices in the world vying for our attention. Here we can invest, there we can find affection. Here a purpose, there a project. Here a discovery, there fulfillment. Only the Lord calls in such a way as to draw us into His higher will, the fruitfulness of our salvation. (Proverbs 8:1-21,34-35; 9:13-18)

When we follow Him, we likely will not see the path, know the ways we will take, nor be able to chart out the future. His intent is to teach us to follow Him. To do that we must know Him and be acquainted with His word. As we set aside time for worship and commune with Him, He will draw near and guide. We listen, watch, and wait, trust and obey, and He leads to next steps, unveils the land, and teaches the lessons.

What or whom is our daily director? Where do we prefer tackling a project or process over waiting on Jesus? What impatience, indifference, fear of exposure, or doubt hinders true progress? Determining to follow Him alone brings unimaginable blessing.

“When we walk with the Lord 
in the light of his word, 
what a glory he sheds on our way! 
While we do his good will, 
he abides with us still, 
and with all who will trust and obey. 

What he says we will do, 
where he sends we will go; 
never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way 
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” ~ John Sammis (1887)

Lord, keep me attuned to Your voice, and following You over anyone or anything else.

“[Righteousness] will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” Romans 4:24-5:9

“Through him we have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” Ephesians 2:18-21

There is much attaining for the believer in Christ. Because of His grace and gift of Self at Calvary, those justified by faith are counted as righteous and given sure hope of glory, power to endure, and the Spirit’s indwelling and pledge of sanctification. Full access to God the Father, Christ’s throne and blessings, and the family of God is immediately available. Paul richly describes the bounty afforded every believer, his words inviting full participation and partaking. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

In and out, across and through, daily we carry on as citizens of heaven in the world. We push and press to make our way, open doors, and cross thresholds, when our real challenge is to take advantage of our access to the Lord as we manage life here below. How can we apply in present situations the gifts He has attained for us by His sovereign will?

It’s important to take inventory of what Christ has won and made available, and allow each facet to soak in. The further we delve into His spiritual blessings and the more often we approach and submit before His throne of grace, the greater the unfolding of His infinite attributes, the richer our communion with the Savior. Reciting and thanking Him for His graces and favor serves to focus our minds on Him. (Ephesians 1:3-14)

Do we struggle with identity as seasons of usefulness and health change? We are His children, heirs of glory, chosen and predestined to bear His holy image! Are we pestered by shame, dark reruns of foolish, regrettable behavior? We are redeemed, forgiven, lavished with cleansing and grace! Do we wrestle with significance, a purpose or legacy that will outlive us? We’re a vital part of His mysterious will and Body, contributing to His renown!

Lord, keep folding me into the counsel of Your will that I freely access Your gifts and graces to the praise of Your glory.

“Samuel said, ‘Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.’ So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the Lord and fasted and said, ‘We have sinned against the Lord…’ Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the people said to Samuel, ‘Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.^‘ So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel.  And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car.

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, ‘Till now the Lord has helped us.^‘ So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.” 1 Samuel 7:5-13

Samuel led Israel with spiritual wisdom and consistent prayer. In spite of their fickleness and folly, for their eternal sake, he sought the Lord’s help and favor. He would not be with them forever, so he left them a stone of remembrance, not to call him to mind, but to remind them of God’s powerful interceding and deliverance in their impossibility. Thus far He had helped them, and He would help them still.

We all need Samuels and Ebenezers in our lives. We might have grit and determination for many challenges, but we also endure moments, even seasons, of weak faith. It is a true gift to have a wise and steadfast friend we can implore for prayer, one who will recount for us God’s gracious victories and strong hand. God uses the support and refreshment of others to build our faith and expectancy.

We too can be Samuels for fellow Christians, ones they can trust with their fears and foes, ones they can believe will undergird them in prayer and point them to the Lord. It is helpful to journal personal remembrances of God’s intimate answers and mighty interventions so we can share what He’s done and can do. How eager are we to listen to others’ needs? How faithful to take them to the Lord in prayer?

When have we thanked God for those who’ve sacrificed to support us? How will we intercede for the needy? Gritty and selfless involvement with others results in great honor to God.

“Here I raise my Ebenezer;
hither by thy help I’m come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart; O take and seal it;
seal it for thy courts above.” ~ Robert Robinson (1758)

Father, build my repertoire of Ebenezer stones for others’ help and Your praise.

“Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man… whose name was Boaz. Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, ‘Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.’ And she said , ‘Go, my daughter.’ So she went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and [came] to the part belonging to Boaz… Boaz said to his young man in charge .., ‘Whose young woman is this?’ The servant… answered, ‘She is the young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the Moab. She said, “Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers.” So she came, and has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest.’

“Then Boaz said to Ruth, ‘My daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women… Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.’ Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, ‘Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?’ Boaz answered her, ‘All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!’ Then she said, ‘I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant.'” Ruth 2:1-3,5-13

When the Moabite Ruth married Elimelech and Naomi’s son, she tied herself to them and their God for good. Once widowed and given the opportunity to stay in her native country, she insisted on following Naomi to Bethlehem and identifying with the true God. She had cast in her lot with their family in faith, not knowing what would come, but knowing Whom she would follow. This new season of her life would be lived one next thing at a time, and she would experience a glorious unfolding of God’s redeeming love and redemptive plan. (Ruth 1:15-18; 3:6-13)

Any large decision carries with it many unknowns. As we do the next right thing, trusting Him to guide and work, God unfolds His will. Knowing the beginning from the end, He determines road blocks and detours, designs heartaches and disruptions and transitions to train us in faith and bring about His wider and longer-term purposes. Our commitment to obedience unleashes anticipation at His gracious provision and unfolding.

When circumstances go awry, how steadfast are we in doing the next right thing? Do we freeze in fear, or hesitate because we can’t know the whole picture? Do we doubt our own ability or God’s seeing us through? What sloth or distractions slow our progress? How will we refocus on the Lord who orchestrates all, and adjust attitude and action to keep in step with Him?

Father, help me consistently, confidently do the next right thing with joyful expectation of Your grace and glory.

“Give ear to my words, O Lord;
    consider my groaning.
Give attention to the sound of my cry,
    my King and my God,
    for to you do I pray.
O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
    in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch…

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
    will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
    in the fear of you.
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
    because of my enemies;
    make your way straight before me.

For there is no truth in their mouth;
    their inmost self is destruction;
their throat is an open grave;
    they flatter with their tongue.
Make them bear their guilt, O God;
    let them fall by their own counsels;
because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,
    for they have rebelled against you.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
    let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may exult in you.
For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
    you cover him with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:1-3,7-12

David pleads, groans, cries, asks, offers early sacrifice, and watches. He approaches his holy Lord humbly, in reverent fear, seeking guidance and direction. He confesses inner thoughts, unburdens his hurts and desires, and claims refuge and his need for protection. He prays, exultant in the name he loves, claiming joy. His moods and words portray a rich prayer life known to all who call God Lord.

The cacophony of noise around us would drown out many a prayer. Busyness eats our quiet, shared and strange loves steal holy devotion. Vitriol and stress unsettle our concentration, a myriad of split-second images confuse our focus. In spite of all these, and above their distractions, the Psalms are ours for the holding, voicing, and offering when we are speechless. Jesus has opened the way for us to approach Him and commune at any time, with any concern or need or praise. (Psalm 7:10,17; 139:23-24; Hebrews 4:15–16)

How would we describe our prayer life? As an occasional wish directed heavenward? A rote recitation of another’s orchestrated words? A regular concentrated wrestling to commune and convey with God?

When do we pray to Him? Only in emotional desperation or dire need, at a relegated time and that’s all, or as an ongoing conversation? What voices do we avoid, and employ? The more we relate to Jesus, pouring out both praise and honest need, the stronger will be our relationship and the sharper our spiritual sensitivities. Taking advantage of His welcome and listening ensures encouragement and blessing.

“What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge–
take it to the Lord in prayer!” ~ Joseph Medlicott Scriven (1855)

Lord, keep me praising and praying always.

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29

“When he calls to me, I will answer him.” Psalm 91:15a

“You have heard; now see all this;
    and will you not declare it?
From this time forth I announce to you new things,
    hidden things that you have not known.
They are created now, not long ago;
    before today you have never heard of them,
    lest you should say, ‘Behold, I knew them.’
You have never heard, you have never known,
    from of old your ear has not been opened.” Isaiah 48:6-8

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

“Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it—the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 29:11-13; 33:2-3

The Lord God is infinite in knowing and imagination, and does not hoard His secrets. Repeatedly He beckons His children come, call out, inquire, and seek, and He promises to welcome, hear, answer, and reveal. He designed us so that part of our process of grasping His great and hidden things is honed in the desire, the searching. We need to realize we do not know and understand before experiencing the grace of His enlightenment, to grasp that magnificent treasures are supernaturally apprehended and comprehended for them to be valued as uniquely His. (James 1:5)

In the deluge of information at the ready, we are often complacent with what is delivered to us. Why expend effort or time to dig when a glut of opinion and remedies are easily available? O, what we miss out on in the pining and the panning! (Proverbs 1:5-7; 2:1-15)

The trouble with accepting what is offered at no cost is that we grow lazy in discernment and atrophied in the muscles of faith. We take things at face value and never look below the surface. We never know the thrill of reaching and discovery, navigating deep in exploration, adjusting to the brilliant new light of the Spirit’s illumination. We may own adequate information to get by with bland faith, but will never experience the fullness of a life given to knowing Christ.

What do I long to understand about and have from Jesus? When is the last time I sought His treasure? What effort do I exert, in prayer and study, to know Him, His ways, His plans for me?

“Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all praise we would render, O help us to see
’tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.” ~Walter C. Smith (1867)

Lord, keep me pressing on to know You, and so live for Your glory. (Hosea 6:3)

“When I consider the 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

“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
    and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure
    and weighed the mountains in scales
    and the hills in a balance?
Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord,
    or what man shows him his counsel?
Whom did he consult,
    and who made him understand?
Who taught him justice,
    and knowledge,
    and showed him the way of understanding?..
To whom then will you liken God,
    or what likeness compare with him?

Do you not know? Do you not hear?..
It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
    and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
    and spreads them like a tent to dwell in…

To whom will you compare me..? says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high and see:
    who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
    calling them all by name;
by the greatness of his might
    and because he is strong in power,
    not one is missing.” Isaiah 40:12-14,18,21-22,25-26

Throughout the scriptures, the Lord reveals himself and speaks to His people through the world He made. He illustrates His promises by drawing Abraham to the infinite speckling stars in the black night sky and the grains of sand on the seashore. He humbles David by the vast canopy of space over his shepherd fields. Isaiah and others were captivated by His immeasurable greatness observed in the vastness of creation and intricacies of His creatures. Indeed, He made us to marvel at and know Him. (Genesis 15:5; 22:17; Job 38:4-12,38:34-39:6)

Frenzied with managing and busying, we have little breath left for wonder. Who do we think we are that we can’t pause and ponder God and His creation? Our calendars and hours get so packed with lesser pursuits that we fancy ourselves into thinking who is He, and how dare He, rather than what and who am I? Contemplating the infinite, omnipotent Lord and HIs handiwork puts us in our place.

In what are we so entrenched that we’ve displaced the Lord by misplacing ourselves at center? How can we make it a regular practice to hush and ‘consider the work of God’s fingers,’ and revere Him? From what occupations and screens and mirrors do we need to turn so we can look up, and out, and behold His glory?

“O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.” ~ Carl Bobert (1886)

Lord, put and keep me in my place before Your greatness, humbled in gratitude and faithful stewardship, to Your glory.

“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women… I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

“As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ Those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice… And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

“And Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ At that very hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.  Why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’” Acts 22:3-16

The Lord Jesus’s supernatural confrontation with Paul that drastically saved and redirected his life was a story he never tired of telling. Assumingly relayed firsthand to Luke, who recorded the initial meeting on the road to Damascus as well as subsequent accounts to the Jerusalem crowds, Governor Felix, and King Agrippa, Paul’s description is retold with passion and particular meaning each time. His experience of the Lord’s pursuing, revealing Himself, and removing his spiritual blinders was the gospel come to life. His aim was to proclaim and spread that gospel with every breath so people would “turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness.” (Acts 9:1-18; 24:14-15; 26:2-20)

May we never get over the wonder of Christ Jesus’s costly gift of salvation! Do we ponder His remarkable love and grace, and how He broke into our hearts to redeem? Does the thought of His setting His affection on me, a wandering rebel, still thrill my soul? Would I thank Him anew today?

Do we love to tell the story of how the Lord sought and delivered us? If not, will we pray for fresh gratitude and humility, and take time to marvel at His life-giving death and resurrection? If we ask for opportunities, compulsion, and courage to tell the gospel story, He will answer. When we speak, God can effect an eternal difference. Whom will we tell today?

Lord, may Your gospel story be the theme of all my days, to other’s awakening and Your glory.