As the rain and snow

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? When you offer those lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord … For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations… But you profane it…  But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it… You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord.  Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.” Malachi 1:6-8,11-14

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'” Matthew 7:21-23

“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:40

Malachi made clear what was expected of those who represented the Lord God to the people. The priests in his day had broken God’s covenant so blatantly, so audaciously, that their own deviousness had deceived them. Such is the way of man when God is not honored and selfishness reigns.

There are warnings throughout Scripture to beware any choices made that sully or curb pure devotion. The Lord God knows the intent of the heart, and denounces any forged or flippant worship. He is high and holy and will not be mocked. If His called children dishonor Him, they will be dishonored. He is not fooled by our duplicity, and does not stand for half-heartedness and insincerity. (Matthew 25:31-40)

But we sure do. We think it fine that we assess God a certain degree of devotion, then move our priorities and allegiances elsewhere. We can separate everyday life from spiritual or ecclesiastical life at each new opportunity or the turning of a day. Where do we mark out set time with God, even daily devotion or church attendance, yet live in a disconnect where we don’t even recognize our insincerity or double-mindedness?

All we do is unto the Lord. In what relationships or responsibilities are we half-hearted? In what situations do we profane God’s name, or offer Him leftovers? Where do we kowtow to others, yet dismiss our Father? He is the One worthy of our first and best. (Romans 14:7-8; 2 Corinthians 5:10)

Lord, in all I say and do, may I honor You.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit… Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned…  By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:1-6,8-11

Jesus knew the people knew about the care of vines. In order to produce the best grapes, they needed to be tended, pruned, directed, and sometimes grafted, all while staying attached to the vine. Describing Himself as the true Vine who yielded to His Father the Vinedresser’s expert tending, He commanded His disciples to submit to pruning and abide in Him in order to bear fruit. He made sure they understood what was expected and how they could best glorify God and flourish.

Doing the hard thing is always… hard. It goes against our flesh nature. It tastes bitter on the comfort pallet. It scratches against raw skin. It can cut, and hurt. But the hard thing often leads to a better thing, and that better thing is always the design of our Maker who is conforming us to His glorious image. Hard things like pruning are good things in His hands. (Romans 8:28-30; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 5:10)

What are some of the areas where we resist our Vinedresser’s shears? What character flaws have calloused, now too familiar and cozy to change, even if they hurt another or dishonor our Lord? Do we excuse, or try to evade conviction for, a hot temper, resentment, a sense of superiority, impatience, gluttony, greed, worry? All these we are commanded not to indulge, and only when we abide in the Vine will we be unsettled enough in their presence to surrender to the cutting. (Colossians 3:5-17)

If we have learned the hard lessons, how prepared are we to teach our children that present denials can develop skills, faith, and necessary patience for future advancement? That pruning and setbacks make for lusher more fruitful growth? When discipline is difficult, will we take the temporary easy way, or invest in the more challenging but advantageous long-view?

When we know the Lord loves and disciplines us for our good, we will cling. Abiding in Him accesses the life-flow of His Spirit. If we want to bear fruit for Him, we will submit to His hands and will. (Hebrews 12:7-11)

Lord, help me do and yield to what I know it takes to bear fruit for You.

“Give ear, all inhabitants of the land!
Has such a thing happened in your days,
    or in the days of your fathers?
Tell your children of it,
    and let your children tell their children,
    and their children to another generation.

What the cutting locust left,
    the swarming locust has eaten.
What the swarming locust left,
    the hopping locust has eaten,
and what the hopping locust left,
    the destroying locust has eaten...

Lament like a virgin wearing sackcloth
    for the bridegroom of her youth.
The grain offering and the drink offering are cut off
    from the house of the Lord…
The fields are destroyed,
    the ground mourns,
because the grain is destroyed,
    the wine dries up,
    the oil languishes.

The vine dries up;
    the fig tree languishes.
Pomegranate, palm, and apple,
    all the trees of the field are dried up,
and gladness dries up
    from the children of man.

Put on sackcloth and lament..;
    wail, O ministers of the altar…

Consecrate a fast;
    call a solemn assembly…
Gather all the inhabitants of the land…
    and cry out to the Lord.

Alas for the day!
For the day of the Lord is near,
    and as destruction from the Almighty it comes.
Is not the food cut off
    before our eyes,
joy and gladness
    from the house of our God?

The seed shrivels under the clods;
    the storehouses are desolate;
the granaries are torn down
    because the grain has dried up.
How the beasts groan…
because there is no pasture for them;
    even the flocks of sheep suffer.

To you, O Lord, I call.
For fire has devoured
    the pastures of the wilderness,
and flame has burned
    all the trees of the field.
Even the beasts of the field pant for you
    because the water brooks are dried up,
and fire has devoured
    the pastures of the wilderness.” Joel 1:2-4,8-10,12-20

Could there have been more complete devastation for Israel? No industry, no sustenance, no fruit. No resources, no ability to give. Judgment had brought destruction of all they held dear, joy was gone. Barrenness in toil, relationships. Loss of companionship, vitality, means for making a living. Dry. Drought. Desperation. Their only reprieve, only hope, was the Lord, and to Him they cried their lament. Only He could, and would, restore and redeem with wondrous dealings. (Joel 2:12-15,18-19,24-27)

Life-changing betrayal, choking grief over sudden loss of a loved one, security swept away by storm or fire, prolonged agonizing consequences of poor choices. Where do we turn in our pain and perplexing? Against the horde, to whom shall we go? If it true that these places are exactly where the sovereign God puts us, it is in the turning that we see why. He teaches us He is all we need. (2 Chronicles 20:12)

What present situation or relationship is discouraging, or desperate? Have we learned to lament over the very real loss and grief? Would we turn to Jesus, and trust His power to redeem and plan to restore?

“Whom have I in heaven but you?
    There is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever...
It is good to be near God;
    I have made the Lord God my refuge,
    that I may tell of all your works.” Psalm 73:25-26,28

Lord, for all Your afflictions, and all Your deliverances, may I proclaim Your works and praise.

“Do two walk together,
    unless they have agreed to meet?
Does a lion roar in the forest,
    when he has no prey?
Does a young lion cry out from his den,
    if he has taken nothing?
Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth,
    when there is no trap for it?
Does a snare spring up from the ground,
    when it has taken nothing?
Is a trumpet blown in a city,
    and the people are not afraid?
Does disaster come to a city,
    unless the Lord has done it?

“For the Lord God does nothing
    without revealing his secret
    to his servants the prophets.
The lion has roared;
    who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken;
    who can but prophesy?” Amos 3:3-8

Amos the prophet was a recipient of messages from God. As the Lord spoke to him, so he would proclaim. What occurred in nature was at God’s behest and in His rhythms of cause and effect. All men did would cause a result, and all God said would come to pass. Amos announced judgment on Israel’s neighbors for their transgressions, proving holy God’s necessary response to their apostasy, and in doing so admonished them for their own straying from God’s covenant into indulgence, injustice, and insincere worship. The Lord had reached out in the mercies of blessing and miseries to call them back to Himself, but they refused to turn. Unless they returned to Him, He would reject them. (Amos 4:6-13; 5:12-15)

God’s word is practical and instructive, a goad for our hearts. In creating the heavens and earth, He implemented cause and effect. Action begets reaction, and sin begets consequence. From gravity to spinning planets to orbits to tides and the stages of the moon and seasons, push and pull, up and down, cold and shivering, heat and sweating, all are created by God to show forth His grand design. Just as His own word never goes forth without accomplishing its purpose, all we do and say has effect. (Isaiah 55:10-11)

The Lord speaks, not in a vacuum, but to unfold His character and purpose. How seriously do we hear and heed His warnings about the consequences of our choices? What are we contemplating, doing, and saying without considering the effect it has on our own souls, others, God’s reputation? How might assessing the effect of our words, tone of voice, procrastination, impatience, indulgences, spiritual disciplines, bear out in changed priorities and decisions?

What has the Lord spoken, allowed, or done that causes us to resist His intended purpose? What suffering are we wasting? What truth do we avoid, or conviction ignore? How welcoming and open am I to the change the Lord’s word can effect in me, and the glorious, redemptive fruit it can bear?

“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in God’s excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.” ~R. Keen (1787)

Father, keep me alert to my actions so every consequence magnifies You.

“I will extol you, my God and King,
    and bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you
    and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
    and his greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall commend your works to another,
    and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
    and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
    and I will declare your greatness.
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
    and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and merciful,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
    and his mercy over all he has made.

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
    and all your saints shall bless you!
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
    and tell of your power,
to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures throughout all generations…

My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
    and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.” Psalm 145:1-13,21

David’s sense of God’s magnificent greatness lifted his will to extol His name. The infinite King was worthy of ongoing praise, forever and ever and every day. The measure of His mighty acts and splendor of His glory filled David’s meditations and spilled forth in unceasing declaration. His fame and righteousness, active and unchanging, elicited commendation then and through generations. If His kingdom and dominion endure, so would His praise.

Are we so taken with the Lord? Every day presents a myriad of things to ponder, choices to make, interactions to manage, activities to render. Where does the Lord fit in? How can we pause to ponder? The gracious Lord is active, interested, abounding in love and involved in every aspect of our lives, yet we often disregard His invisible work out of preference for what we can see and feel.

In the flurry of busy, where do we see His splendor? In challenges and strife, where do we see His goodness? In ugliness or dark despair, where can we trace His mercy? If we would commit to regularly blessing His name, and considering His works in the midst of ours, His evident eternal power and kindness would begin to pluck our heart strings to gratitude and wonder. It takes practice to make a habit of praise, and that habit can be contagious to people after us.

What is it we want to pass on? Is it gripes about the way things are, or were? Is it earthly wisdom and expertise that may benefit only for a while? Or is it a lifetime attitude of amazement at the Almighty, a mindset of praise in all things now and forever?

“O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
in you do we trust, nor find you to fail.
Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!” ~Robert Grant (1833)

Worthy God, may I praise You now and forever.

“Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. Isaiah the prophet said to him, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed.., ‘Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.’ And Hezekiah wept bitterly. And before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: ‘Turn back, and say to Hezekiah..: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you… I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David’s sake.’ And Isaiah said, ‘Bring a cake of figs. And let them take and lay it on the boil, that he may recover…’

“At that time… the king of Babylon sent envoys with letters and a present, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. Hezekiah welcomed them, and showed them all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory… Then Isaiah… said to him, ‘What did these men say? From where did they come?.. What have they seen in your house?’ Hezekiah answered, ‘They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.’

“Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah,.. ‘ Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house,.. shall be carried to Babylon.., says the Lord. And some of your own sons… shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, ‘The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.’ For he thought, ‘Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?'” 2 Kings 20:1-7,12-19

Godly Hezekiah had been the recipient of God’s abundance. He followed his Lord steadfastly, led Judah with alacrity and devotion, and his heart was tender toward Him… until it was not. Upon learning he faced imminent death, he wept before God. The Lord responded immediately in lavish mercy, restoring his body. Something about the miraculous turn of events turned his heart sour to allow pride and self-absorption to bloom and disguise the blessing of God as his own. He flaunted his bounty and callously dismissed mercifully-deferred judgment. His poor choices tarnished his reputation and brought about great evil through his wicked son. (2 Kings 18:1-8; 21:1-9)

We must never forget that while the Lord’s shower of mercy is of great benefit to us, it is for His sake and to magnify His glory, not ours. His character, not our bounty or special favor, should be on display. We must never touch His glory. (Isaiah 42:8; 48:11; Hosea 13:1-2)

How sinister the temptation, when we’re exalted by men, to then exalt ourselves. We express desperate need, but when God answers, we smugly take credit. How will we resist making life about us? Regularly thanking God and recounting His wondrous grace to others keeps Him our focus. How will we magnify His wondrous ways, His gifts of salvation and life, today?

Lord, may I never take Your mercies for granted, but live to make them known.

“I thank God whom I serve,.. as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day... I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” 2 Timothy 1:3,5-9

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

“It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

Paul reminds Timothy repeatedly that he has a special place and role in God’s mission. Personal and particular, he expresses great gratitude for this young protégé and urges him to exercise the faith and gifts he’s been given to fulfill his holy calling. Life and days for God’s stewards are to be spent in an eternal mindset and cadence.

The Scriptures are replete with the message that we were made in purpose as God’s image-bearers, on purpose with our specific gifts and according to His eternal will at our time and place, and for the divine purpose of living, suffering, and giving for Jesus’s sake and kingdom, to God’s glory. Yet often in the gnarl of the immediate, banal, and earthly, we don’t sense a high or holy aspect to anything. The world has its way of choking out and blinding to what is significant and lasting. (Genesis 1:26-28; Esther 4:14; Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 43:1,7,10; 49:1-6; Acts 17:24-28; Philippians 1:6)

It’s important to take time to consider the layers beyond what we see and feel at the moment. Pausing from the press of input and the tyranny of the urgent, we need to think about what is truly important and lasting. Why am I here, and now? For what has the Lord situated me in this position, these relationships, this neighborhood, with these difficulties? What resources has He entrusted to me, and how can I step into and fulfill His purpose here?

As the Lord God works His will into and through me, how readily do I cooperate? Do I aim for holy ends in earthly chores and responsibilities? Do I anticipate with heightened awareness the heavenly being accomplished through the earthly?

How closely do my desires align with His? How will I synch the rhythms of my days with His purposes and ways? A daily practice of offering ourselves to the Lord and trusting Him to teach and lead assures the right path. (Psalm 25:4-5; Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 12:1-2)

Lord teach me to live with purpose, on purpose, for You, Your purposes and glory.

“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and… keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach…

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:3-12,14,17-19

Paul describes what causes pangs of angst and turmoil of soul with clear warning. He understood the urges of flesh and spirit and steered Timothy to align his pangs with godliness. Here should be his focus of passion, hunger, and yearning: to know the Lord and grow increasingly like Him. Misplaced affections and ungodly cravings would lead only to ruin and friction, but wanting godliness and pursuing righteousness would assure the joys of eternal life.

Our world is rife with false doctrine, controversy, and idols. Everywhere we look and listen we are confronted with pomposity, quarreling, ugly residue from depraved minds, and messages emphasizing what we must have. Often these temptations are disguised to intrigue at first, and they awaken hunger that then becomes disordered. The desire for goodness and satisfaction and niceties becomes distorted into a warped reality of how we should spend resources and effort.

In Christ, with the guidance and conviction of His Spirit, we can keep our pangs directed aright. He trains us to recognize where we have skewed what is true and gone after fruitless, even dangerous pursuits. He gives discernment and fortitude to realign our desires with His and set out with holy hunger toward godliness, steadfastness, generosity, and love.

What do we crave that leads us adrift from Jesus? Money or things- more and better and bigger? Attention, applause, to be seen as important or successful? That one elusive item, or dream, or person, that we think will finally bring happiness? How has this disordered love snared and pierced us?

What will we do to develop pangs to know Christ better and be transformed into His likeness? What do we need to flee, and pursue, to set our hope on God alone?

Lord, may I hunger only for You.

“The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion outside!
    I shall be killed in the streets!..’

“Do not toil to acquire wealth;
    be discerning enough to desist.
When your eyes light on it, it is gone,
    for suddenly it sprouts wings,
    flying like an eagle toward heaven…
Do not withhold discipline from a child;
    if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
If you strike him with the rod,
    you will save his soul from Sheol…
Let not your heart envy sinners,
    but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day…

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers,..
for the evil man has no future;
    the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

My son, fear the Lord and the king.” Proverbs 22:13; 23:4-5,13-14,17; 24:19-21

Solomon wanted his son to be wise. It was vital to be saturated in the truths of God and fear Him over man and what-ifs. The world would tempt otherwise, but he always had a choice.

Often we allow what we know to be dwarfed by the threat of what could transpire, and we tremble. We fear if we don’t amass wealth, or give lavishly to the Lord and others, we won’t have enough. If we don’t skirt the rules like everybody else, we can’t get or stay ahead. That our children won’t like us if we withhold what they want or inflict discipline. We fear losing face or being ridiculed if we stand for truth. If we fess up to an old sin, or try to make amends when much time has passed, we’ll be criticized or rejected. It’s always appropriate and never too late to set to work, do the right thing, honor God, admonish and edify our children, confess sin, and focus on and revere the Lord. Fear God and experience His redemption, forgiveness, and peace, regardless of any other person’s reaction. (Ecclesiastes 11:1; Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 6:38; Hebrews 12:7-11; 1 Peter 3:15

God’s truth is far more sure than our what-ifs. Do we know His promises well?

When will we, with an act of the will, set aside what we fear in favor of what we know? What could change in long-held habits, resentment, unresolved relational issues, delayed decisions, if we took His truths to heart? Where could fresh healing occur, soothing peace seep in, new light shine, burdens be released? When will we stop trembling in the unknown of ‘what might happen’ and instead step forward in solid faith in what is known- the Lord and His word to us? It’s in deliberately taking the next step, away from fear, worry, and doubt, and toward the Lord, that we experience the fullness of His presence and promises.

“My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Tho’ some may dwell where these abound,
My pray’r, my aim is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land;
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” ~ Johnson Oatman Jr. (1898)

Lord, lead me in truth and keep me living by all You have made known, to Your honor.

“All the ends of the earth shall remember
    and turn to the Lord,
and all the… nations
    shall worship before you.
For kingship belongs to the Lord,
    and he rules over the nations…

Before him shall bow all who go down to the dust…
Posterity shall serve him.”

“Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord, strong and mighty,
    the Lord, mighty in battle!..
Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord of hosts,
    he is the King of glory!” Psalm 22:27-30a; 24:8,10

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11

“The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings.” Daniel 2:47

“[He] is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.” 1 Timothy 6:15

“Jesus Christ… the ruler of kings on earth… On his robe and his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” Revelation 1:5; 19:16

Many kings in Scripture recognized Who was really king. Anointed, crowned, ruling lands and kingdoms, they exercised their regal positions but knew their authority was subservient to the Lord on high. Any royalty owned was endowed by His sovereign hand, and they were in place to serve at His behest.

Most earthly kings do not think this way. Even with no royal arms, we want to be kings. Oh, how we want to be kings… of my universe, my plans, my time. Manager of my schedule, ruler of my health, dictator of my loved ones’ choices. We want the weather and circumstances and other people to serve our interests. We want to control the actions and responses and emotions of those around us to our comfort and convenience. So is the ugly Eden-bit flesh. (Genesis 3:16-19)

As much as we desire and press, this is not and shall not be so. The more we try to exert our authority and demand our rights, the more frustrated we will be. God is King, I am not. He orders responsibilities to teach wise management, but not supreme control. He came not to be served but to serve, and demands the same of His children. (Proverbs 21:1; Matthew 20:28; Galatians 5:13)

How different life’s revolution and unfolding is when we consider and exalt King Jesus: “Being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,.. and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:8-11

In what situations is the Lord prompting us to humble ourselves under His hand and rule? Where will we determine to serve others rather than ourselves? How can our stewardship of God-appointed positions emulate the grace, loveliness, and holiness of Jesus, so He is revered as King?

“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17

And amen.