Author: astherainandsnow

“When men fall, do they not rise again?
If one turns away, does he not return?
Why then has this people turned away
in perpetual backsliding?
They hold fast to deceit;
they refuse to return.
I have paid attention and listened,
but they have not spoken rightly;
no man relents of his evil,
saying, ‘What have I done?’
Everyone turns to his own course,
like a horse plunging headlong into battle…
My people know not
the rules of the Lord.

“How can you say, ‘We are wise,
and the law of the Lord is with us’?
But behold, the lying pen of the scribes
has made it into a lie.
The wise men… have rejected the word of the Lord,
so what wisdom is in them?..
From the least to the greatest
everyone is greedy for unjust gain;
from prophet to priest,
everyone deals falsely.
They have healed the wound of my people lightly,
saying, ‘Peace, peace,’
when there is no peace.
Were they ashamed when they committed abomination?
No, they were not at all ashamed;
they did not know how to blush.
Therefore they shall fall among the fallen..,
says the Lord.
When I would gather them, declares the Lord,
there are no grapes on the vine,
nor figs on the fig tree;
even the leaves are withered,
and what I gave them has passed away from them...

“The Lord our God… has given us poisoned water to drink,
    because we have sinned against the Lord.” Jeremiah 8:4-15

Rejecting the Word is a costly and causal choice, effecting great calamity and judgment on individuals and nations. Man is quick to blame people, circumstances, and institutional failures for difficulties and ruin, when often he is the one who’s ignored the Lord to his and others’ detriment. He deceives and is deceived, he spins in a perpetual sin spiral, he is gullible to lies and oblivious to his own folly. Willful ignorance and rebellion promulgate more of the same, and the Lord will not be mocked. No generosity, no shame, no fruit? The Lord will not stand for this abominable disregard of His good and life-giving gifts. (Galatians 6:7-8)

In our day we are most privileged with ready access to God’s Word, yet time and again we deliberately neglect it. We clamor for the latest word from an expert or influencer, for what is trending or ‘viral,’ and tune out the ancient Wisdom. We condone its banishment from society by complacency, bashing among ourselves without action, and an unwillingness to proclaim and defend it publicly. (Psalm 147:19-20; Jeremiah 7:2,23)

Personally, God calls us to return, get back to the Word, and repent. The Spirit convicts and quickens our hearts, and the Lord offers cleansing and peace. Collectively, we must implore God for His mercy on rebels who know not what they do. We need to pray for our leaders and communities and nations. (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 51:1-4,10; Daniel 9:3-19; Luke 23:34; 1 John 1:8-9)

How honestly do we live before God, and others? When are we steeping in God’s living word, and into what barrenness are we pouring it? When and how are we praying for those crushed by calamity? (Hebrews 4:12)

Lord, help me faithfully, zealously do my part to avert calamity by loving, living, and spreading your Word.

“Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel… And the Lord said to Joshua, ‘See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once… for six days. Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn,.. then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.^’So Joshua called the priests.., ‘Take up the ark of the covenant and let seven priests bear seven trumpets before the ark of the Lord… Go forward. March around the city and let the armed men pass on before the ark of the Lord.’

“And just as Joshua had commanded the people, the seven priests bearing the trumpets of rams’ horns before the Lord went forward, blowing the trumpets, with the ark of the covenant of the Lord following them…

“On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times… And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said, ‘Shout, for the Lord has given you the city’… So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.” Joshua 6:1-8,15-16,20

The plan sounded far-fetched, even unrealistic. Conquer an established, walled city ruled by a king and mighty men of valor by blowing trumpets? And in such strange manner? Why the intrigue of seven days of silent marching, and seven circumnavigations on the seventh day? The plan of the Lord seemed oddly curious, but the word of the Lord proved powerful. Joshua led Israel in a battle of faith. They defeated Jericho not by sword and spear but by obedience and confidence in the promise of God. (Psalm 20:7)

We live so much of our lives seeing through a mirror dimly, nit-picking at requirements we don’t understand, angry at this, worried about that. Our flesh vantage point fuzzies the possibilities of a transcendent, wonder-working God and we miss out on experiencing His marvels. We fear stepping out in faith because we lose desired control. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

But our Lord calls us to conquer these tendency-enemies, these squatters that take up space in our spirit land He wants to rule. Every mind- and control-grab is a rejection of surrender to Christ, a shrugging off of faith. We can’t serve two masters. (Matthew 6:24)

Will we continue in worldly practices, unwilling to test God’s promises, or take up the trumpet and set about God’s ways? What self-crafted tools of trade need we exchange for those of faith?

Lord, help me release my ways of thinking and doing to believe Yours, and so marvel at Your amazing glory.

“Hear and give ear; be not proud,
    for the Lord has spoken.
Give glory to the Lord your God
    before he brings darkness,
before your feet stumble
    on the twilight mountains,
and while you look for light
    he turns it into gloom
    and makes it deep darkness.
But if you will not listen,
    my soul will weep in secret for your pride;
my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears,
    because the Lord’s flock has been taken captive…
And if you say in your heart,
    ‘Why have these things come upon me?’
it is for the greatness of your iniquity
    that your skirts are lifted up
    and you suffer violence.
Can the Ethiopian change his skin
    or the leopard his spots?
Then also you can do good
    who are accustomed to do evil.
I will scatter you like chaff
    driven by the wind from the desert.
This is your lot,
    the portion I have measured out to you, declares the Lord,
because you have forgotten me
    and trusted in lies.
I myself will lift up your skirts over your face,
    and your shame will be seen.
I have seen your abominations,
    your adulteries and neighings, your lewd whorings,
    on the hills in the field.
Woe to you, O Jerusalem!
    How long will it be before you are made clean?” Jeremiah 13:15-17,22-27

“Though our iniquities testify against us,
    act, O Lord, for your name’s sake;
for our backslidings are many;
    we have sinned against you.
O you hope of Israel,
    its savior in time of trouble…
You, O Lord, are in the midst of us,
    and we are called by your name;
    do not leave us.” Jeremiah 14:7-8a,9b

Israel’s sin was a heinous affront to God’s holiness, goodness, and love, and its repugnance deserved God’s wrath. Yet, the very fact it was known, and identified as iniquity against Him, testified to His presence with them. His word elucidates and His Spirit convicts. Israel’s anguished appeal in light of their just punishment was that yet their covenant LORD was in their midst. Would He, could He, leave forever? (Psalm 119:105; John 16:8)

We, too, are an abhorrent people. We, too, have wickedly rebelled against God’s holy law and order. Our moral abominations and lewd whorings with strange gods are a repulsive affront to His righteousness. Yet He remains in the midst of His beloved children, and with God’s presence abides His mercy. With God’s presence abides His love. The very fact that He is nigh is proof of His promise never to leave or forsake us. We deserve His wrath, but Jesus in love bore the penalty on our behalf. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

What sins am I excusing? Where am I professing, promoting, or provoking lies by behavior I condone or falsehoods I let be repeated without correction? Are there attitudes I hold or express that are an abomination to my holy God? Have I fallen so far it feels impossible to repair? Would I bring these to His throne of grace and confess them one by one? He is faithful and just to forgive. (Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 1:9)

Gracious Father, in all things wrong and miserable, may I remember that yet You, my covenant God, are near, and You redeem. Allelujah! (Psalm 103:1-4)

“In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,  until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.  He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

“And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ‘you heard from me;  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…’

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’  And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” Acts 1:1-5,8-9

Biblically speaking, to give a charge was to bolster that charge with attending promise. The Lord did not command what He would not enable. Luke, writing after Jesus’s ascension, is reminding the disciples of His charge to witness and stoking their anticipation for the coming Spirit He had promised Who would empower this service. Time and again throughout the Scriptures, God’s people given God’s commands were fortified with the promises of God’s presence and power. Those who readily obeyed experienced the fulfillment. (Genesis 12:1-4; Exodus 3:1-17; Joshua 1:1-9; Matthew 28:18-20)

Jesus not only promised the Spirit’s help, but that they would meet opposition. The disciples went forth in bold obedience, believing that every promise would come true and Jesus would triumph. He worked through and blessed even their conflicts and persecution. As 19th century British missionary to China Hudson Taylor said, “Depend on it. God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply. He is too wise a God to frustrate His purposes for lack.” (Matthew 10:17-22; 24:9-11; Philippians 4:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Timothy 3:12)

How eagerly do we respond to God’s call to a new obedience- a work, relationship, or ministry? Are we reluctant because of insecurity in our abilities, or fear of being stretched, or of the unknown? Do we prefer to remain where things seem easy and without resistance? Would we give attention to search the Bible for confirmation, of both call and provision, then take Him at His word? What promises have we chosen to grip in challenging situations, to stand on when we would otherwise tremble?

The Bible is full of commands that teach us the way to walk as citizens, family members, in recreation, business, our spiritual and church life. It is also rife with promises of wisdom and guidance from God’s word, strength, comfort and help from the Spirit. If we ever feel alone, unable, or anxious, we can claim His pledges to us and in faith proceed. He is always present, able to give abounding grace and ample sustenance, and will see us through as we trust Him. (2 Corinthians 9:8; Colossians 3:12-24; Hebrews 13:5)

Lord, may I promptly take up Your charge, trusting the power of Your word as I give it out. Have Your way, to Your glory!

“Joshua said to all the people, ‘Thus says the Lord,.. “Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham..; and they served other gods.  Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many. I gave him Isaac. And to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau… Jacob and his children went down to Egypt. And I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt with what I did in the midst of it, and afterward I brought you out…

“'”Then I brought you to the land of the Amorites, who lived on the other side of the Jordan. They fought with you, and I gave them into your hand, and you took possession of their land…  And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you, the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow.  I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.”

“’Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord… Choose this day whom you will serve.’

“He said, ‘Put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel.’ And the people said to Joshua, ‘The Lord our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey.’” Joshua 24:2-5,8,12-15b,23-24

To close his charge to Israel before his death, Joshua reminded them of their long agos, the beautiful tracing of God’s hand from their life of idolatry beyond the River through their deliverance into the promised land they’d just conquered. At this inflection point, reviewing their national journey was to bring Him into clear focus and engender wholehearted trust and devotion.

When we look back and down into our years and consider what the Lord lovingly, strategically put in place long ago, how do we react? Are we bitter as victims of ugly circumstance, or regretful of idols we entertained? Do we fixate on all that’s been lost, difficult, painful, barren? Can we not shake bad memories, hurts, anger? Or do we trace the glory of sharing His sufferings, His merciful deliverances, deep lessons learned, His hand of grace to redeem and heal, and bow in gratitude? Can we see the cross come into focus between what has been and what we’ve become?

It is the enemy who would have us dwell in long ago with jaded, resentful eyes, and the Lord who says, ‘Up! You were there, and now you are here! Your were not mine, now you are Mine! I chose you, took you, led and made and gave and brought and blessed you! ‘ How will we translate His lifelong keeping into present fruitful living? (1 Peter 2:10)

“Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth;
shelters thee under his wings, yea so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been
granted in what he ordaineth?” ~Joachim Neander (1680)

Lord, thank You for ordering my long agos in affection and fulfilling their purpose by grace that I might glorify Your name.

“And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand…’

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues,  and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.  For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved… 

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known…  And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.  So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father..,  but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven…

“And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 7,16-22,26,28-33,38

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:12-13

There are times our walk and witness for Christ are not well received. When we meet opposition and rancor with temporal vision, we get agitated with angst or confusion, and want either to shrink back or retaliate. We castigate the ‘enemy’ and try to prove ourselves right, or better. But when we see opposition with a broader, higher perspective, we recognize it’s exactly what what we should expect, and have actually been prepared for.

When we are so enamored with ourselves and focused on our provincial, cozy living, we shrink at some hard obediences because of the prospect of conflict, rejection, or discomfort. We might even face persecution. But the Lord calls us to high, holy living. He commends that we stand firm against accusation and persecution. We must not recoil. We must not be ambivalent. We must not fear. We’re called to faithfulness. (Matthew 5:10-12)

How promptly do we heed God’s call to go wisely among the wolves? Would we turn our anxieties to Him and trust His Spirit to lead, speak, and triumph? Rejoice! A steady path of obedience leads to heights of faith and blessing.

Father, help me obey with a long view for Your grace and glory.

“Joshua summoned all Israel, its elders and heads, its judges and officers, and said to them, ‘I am now old and well advanced in years. And you have seen all that the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is the Lord your God who has fought for you… And you shall possess their land, just as the Lord your God promised you. Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day. For the Lord has driven out before you great and strong nations… One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you. Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God… 

“’And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed. But just as all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you have been fulfilled for you, so the Lord will bring upon you all the evil things, until he has destroyed you from off this good land that the Lord your God has given you, if you transgress the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them. Then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land that he has given to you.'” Joshua 23:2-3,5-9a,10-11,14

Joshua was the son of Nun, Moses’s assistant and successor, and Israel’s brilliant military commander who led them in conquering Canaan. He had crossed the Red Sea on dry ground to escape Egypt, climbed Sinai with Moses to receive the law, and traversed the Jordan River at flood stage on dry ground into the promised land. But most of all, he was the Lord’s. His identity was not in pedigree, successes, or experiences but in Whose he was, and his words to Israel at the end of his remarkable life all resounded with Him. Remembering, admonishing, encouraging, warning- everything he had to say related to his Lord and His power, His promises, His provision. (Exodus 24:12-18; Joshua 3:7-16; 4:23)

When we ponder the sum of our life, is it a list of accolades, adventures, influential people we have known? Does advice rendered center around us, or promote self-focus and following passions? Or are we so enthralled with Jesus that His grace, salvation, love, and power define our legacy? How will we speak of Him today?

Lord, may all my words be all about You, to Your praise and renown.

“So Joshua said to the people of Israel, ‘How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?..’

“So the men arose and went, and Joshua charged those who went to write the description of the land, saying, ‘Go up and down in the land and write a description and return to me...‘ So the men went and passed up and down in the land and wrote in a book a description of it by towns in seven divisions. Then they came to Joshua to the camp at Shiloh… And there Joshua apportioned the land to the people of Israel, to each his portion.” Joshua 18:3,8-10

More than half of Israel’s tribes had not yet been assigned land, and Joshua determined that they take responsibility for ownership. Get familiar with it, know its features and challenges, then I’ll guide you in possessing it. Don’t delay, rise from your waiting, and go! The Lord had brought them across the Jordan and would establish them there forever, but they needed to traverse it and settle in their portion.

To understand aspects of our personalities and character that need to be conquered, we need to be willing to assess their topography. It’s important for spiritual growth that we know the crevices where evil lurks, the plateaus that breed complacency, the breadth of potential as far as we can currently see. Describe them, own them, bring them to the Lord and turn them over to His authority to allot His order of conquest. He knows best what needs addressing first, He grants strength to battle pesky enemies, He matches task to ability and vice versa. (Joshua 17:17-18)

It’s also prudent to get acquainted with the riches and fruit of the Spirit we’ve been allotted in Christ so we can possess them to the full. As our days and unique identities, so is His strength. Searching out His treasury of wisdom, love, and spiritual power will avail us of our inheritance for application now and in the future. (Deuteronomy 33:25b; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 4:19; 2 Peter 1:3-4)

How well do we know ourselves? Do we gloss over character weaknesses and areas of grave temptation to put on a polished appearance? Have we fallen to Satan’s ruse of moral comparisons and dismissed sin habits as ‘just how I am and I’m not as bad as he’? Do we hurry through or neglect altogether time in thoughtful confession? To schedule and keep seasons of praise and earnest prayer does much to reveal and renew our heart inclinations.

And how familiar are we with our Savior? When are we going up and down in His word to take note of His attributes and comprehend His ways? Knowing who He is and all we own in Him exposes our needs and energizes spiritual vitality. How can we apply His choice and adoption to present identity insecurities, or riches of grace and wisdom to shame, fear, and confusion? We can delight in and cling to what we know. (Ephesians 1:4-12)

Lord, keep me rejoicing in all the land You’ve assigned, taking full possession of everything You have for me to understand, express, implement, share, and apply for fruitfulness to Your glory.

“Has a nation changed its gods,
even though they are no gods?
But my people have changed their glory
for that which does not profit.
Be appalled, O heavens, at this;
be shocked, be utterly desolate,
declares the Lord,
for my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
broken cisterns that can hold no water…

“Moreover, the men of Memphis and Tahpanhes
have shaved the crown of your head.
Have you not brought this upon yourself
by forsaking the Lord your God,
when he led you in the way?
And now what do you gain by going to Egypt
to drink the waters of the Nile?
Or what do you gain by going to Assyria
to drink the waters of the Euphrates?
Your evil will chastise you,
and your apostasy will reprove you.
Know and see that it is evil and bitter
for you to forsake the Lord your God;
the fear of me is not in you,
declares the Lord God of hosts…

“Though you wash yourself with lye
and use much soap,
the stain of your guilt is still before me,
declares the Lord God.” Jeremiah 2:11-13,16-19,22

“Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’” John 4:13-14

Thirst is a natural urge, yet we humans sample many liquids that never quench. Often we keep returning, foolishly thinking more of the same—- cheap entertainment, illicit or excessive substances, strange gods—- will finally satiate, but bad water never does. Thirst of soul will gnaw all life long until it is satisfied in the Lord alone.

What keeps us changing gods? Is it because we have dismissed the true One? Man is fickle and flirty beyond repair when he forsakes living water for devices of his own design and taste. A restless spirit remains so when it seeks everything but truth, yet the one who sets his mind on Christ will be kept in peace. Which strange and bitter rivers, whose cisterns, what false beliefs are keeping us from the water that truly quenches? (Isaiah 26:3)

It is vital to recognize the polluted rivers that attract us, and turn the other way. We need to name beliefs and attitudes that are apostasy, and return to the Lord. And when we take our guilt to Him and claim Christ’s substitutionary death for us, we are free to drink from Him life forever. Allelujah! (1 John 1:9)

“I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.

I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r
When Thou art nigh.

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Ev’ry hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.” ~Robert Lowry (1872)

Lord, lead me in my thirst to Your living water, and fill me to overflow so others may taste it too.

“Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?^’ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this^?’ They said, ‘Caesar’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.” Matthew 22:15-22

The trouble with the Pharisees is they couldn’t escape the truth. Their efforts to entangle Jesus were thwarted by the very claims they spoke: He was true and could not be tricked. No matter the vehemence of their sinister motive and strategy to ruin His influence, His majesty would stand immovable and incorruptible. Their plotting turned to marveling as He was simply Himself and upturned their ruse into bewilderment, ending the conversation with a hush.

And the beautiful thing about God is He always takes us higher and deeper than we ever imagined and leaves us in wonderment. He not only thwarts our ill intentions but furthers His redemptive ones. He not only upends our earthly thinking but elevates His eternal mindset. Dealing with Jesus will always restructure our outlook, reorder our longings, and enrich our souls. The paltry attempts we take to Him are transformed to magnify His wisdom, kindness, and grace.

Don’t we realize we cannot deter the Lord’s will and ways? That there is no plan of man that can succeed against Him? Finagling with Scripture’s moral standards and attempts to justify decisions and behavior abhorrent to Him will never succeed. We cannot trick Jesus into being or approving something He is not and does not. No amount of cultural pressure, threat of ruin, or intent for demise can overpower what God has spoken and ordained. (Job 5:12; 42:2; Psalm 119:89; Proverbs 21:30; Isaiah 14:24)

Where do we attempt to fool the all-knowing God? Have we entertained or ignored any taint of malice, deception, or pride within that needs to be reckoned with by naming and confession? What ignorance of His ways, or dismissing of His truth, causes callousness in our hearts? What ingrained tendencies to take false advantage or be conniving have distanced us from His grace? How will we pray, and when will we surrender and hush, so we can humbly fear and devotedly gaze in awe at the royal Jesus? (Matthew 22:29; 1 John 1:9)

Lord, purify me through and through to approach You always with pure motives. Keep me fearing You, ever dumbfounded and marveling at Your greatness and wisdom. Matthew 22:46