Author: astherainandsnow

“Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles.  When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them,  they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country,  and there they continued to preach the gospel.” Acts 14:1-7

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:6

It’s hard to imagine the swells of new believers in the region. The disciples, scattered by persecution following Pentecost, lived and spoke and served and loved in such a way that many were confronted with the life-changing gospel and great numbers believed unto salvation. This ancient ‘revival’ also brought divisiveness and criticism. None were lukewarm to the powerful message spoken and lived. (Acts 2:37-47; 8:1-8; 10:42-43; 12:24-25; 13:43)

Who made the difference? The Holy Spirit. What made a difference? The way He worked in His people to compel, counsel, and awaken compassion, and through them to teach and perform miraculous works. The Spirit regenerated, the Word saved, and the disciples were the instruments by which He transformed lives and the world.

As Jesus’s present day disciples, we are emissaries of this gospel message. How clearly and attractively is it seen and heard through us? Are we behaving and loving and serving with intention, by God’s grace, to point people to Christ and make an eternal difference? What impatience, busyness, aloofness, or tone of voice dulls our light or muffles our message?

How willing are we to step away from our agenda to serve the Lord’s, to step out from under human glory to point to His, even if this means meeting complaint, rejection, or even harm? Are we more driven to do our work, or God’s works (which can be through our work)? How willing are we to speak His truth, in love, no matter the pushback, resistance, or consequences? What difference would it make, and could He make, if we offered ourselves each day to live in such a way that is His way: wherever He would have us go, to whomever He appoints, to do whatever He wants, to bring about His salvific ends? (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 14:11-23; Ephesians 4:15)

“Where you go, I’ll go
Where you stay, I’ll stay
When you move, I’ll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I’ll love
How you serve I’ll serve
If this life I lose,
I will follow you.” ~Chris Tomlin (2010)

Lord, have full sway over me so I live Your way, to fulfill Your purposes, for Your glory.

“Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel.  He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim that Asa his father had captured.  The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments… Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. All Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor.  His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord. Furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.

“In the third year of his reign he sent officials… to teach in the cities of Judah.., having the Book of the Law of the Lord with them. They went about through all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.”

“Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor, and he made a marriage alliance with Ahab… Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, ‘Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?’ He answered him, ‘I am as you are, my people as your people. We will be with you in the war... Inquire first for the word of the Lord…’ And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.'” 2 Chronicles 17:1-7,9; 18:1,3-4,29

So many strengths. Jehoshaphat seemed to have it all: godliness, wholehearted obedience, favor from the Lord. He cleansed the kingdom of idols and made sure God’s law was taught and understood throughout. He was prudent, capable, and fortified Judah militarily.

Then he did the unthinkable. Bowing to the culture of the day, he made a marriage alliance with the wicked King Ahab of Israel, arranging for his son to marry Ahab’s daughter. Pride weakens good sense, and this one significant slip introduced corroding wickedness that threatened all the good that had been established. Falling for Ahab’s ruse, he failed to seek God directly, was nearly killed in battle, then 16 years later almost repeated that folly with Ahab’s son. Though God mercifully provided wise prophets and intervened to save him, and he later exercised sound and righteous judgment, his sloppy choices bred sloppy living as his son repeated his father’s folly. (2 Kings 3:5-8,11; 8:16-18; 2 Chronicles 19:4-10)

We may be strong in many ways, graced by God with firm commitment, a hunger for Him, His word and glory, and get along well with others. He may have granted a measure of worldly success in work, relationships, or responsibility. But one weakness, one slip of self-control, one crack of self-will, one drip of pride can seep and spread to undermine the good that seems established.

Where have I relaxed in spiritual vigilance? Failed to pray, sought another’s advice before the Lord’s, jumped in or spent or decided without thought?

“Oh, be careful little eyes what you see. 
Oh, be careful little ears what you hear. 
Oh, be careful little hands what you do.  
Oh, be careful little feet where you go. 
Oh, be careful little heart whom you trust. 
Oh, be careful little mind what you think.” ~Zondervan Music Publishers (1956)

Lord, keep me alert to weak areas and diligent to guard against falling, for Your honor above all.

“Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews… Tobiah the Ammonite said, ‘Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!’ Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads... Do not cover their guilt,.. for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.

“So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

“But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it.  And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

“In Judah it was said, ‘The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.’ And our enemies said, ‘They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work…’ So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, spears, and bows. And I arose and said to the nobles and officials and the rest of the people, ‘Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.’

“When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work… Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other.” Nehemiah 4:1,3-11,13-15,17

Nehemiah was bent on rebuilding as the Lord had led and was providing for, no matter the opposition. Yet persistent opposition came, and wore away at his co-laborers. A half-height wall was good progress, but incomplete- just where the enemy took delight to undermine, discourage, and halt momentum. Nehemiah dealt with these opponents by countering their attacks with specific prayer, dependence on God, practical defenses, and outdoing their persistence with his own in the work. And so he succeeded.

It can be easy to start a good work, then flag in zeal out of weariness or difficulty. We cease listening to God and tune in to naysayers, or lose sight of the goal for the rubble of hard work that remains. Verve gets quashed by criticism, doubt, and fatigue.

But the God who calls also enables. What here below causes anxiety, insecurity, or distraction? Would we look to our awesome God and seize His higher purposes? Will we exchange fear for faith? Will we honor Him by finishing His work? (Philippians 4:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Father, give me a mind and will to work to completion and for Your glory all You assign, trusting You are greater than any enemy taunt or temptation. (1 John 4:4)

“Before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, and who was related to Tobiah, prepared for Tobiah a large chamber where they had previously put the grain offering, frankincense, vessels, and tithes of grain, wine, and oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests. While this was taking place, I was not in Jerusalem… I then discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, preparing for him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. And I was very angry, and I threw all the household furniture of Tobiah out of the chamber. Then I gave orders, and they cleansed the chambers, and I brought back there the vessels of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.

“I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them, so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled each to his field.  So I confronted the officials and said, ‘Why is the house of God forsaken?’ And I gathered them together and set them in their stations.  Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses… 

“In those days I saw in Judah people treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys, and also wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of loads, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned them on the day when they sold food. Tyrians who lived in the city brought in fish and goods and sold them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah, in Jerusalem itself! Then I confronted the nobles of Judah and said, ‘What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day?'” Nehemiah 13:4-6a,7-12,15-17

Nehemiah was a man of earnestness, thoughtfulness, and action. What he learned and observed he assessed with measured consideration and prayer. Then, as the Lord directed and without caprice or temper, he took care of each incident and challenge with thoroughness. (Nehemiah 2:11-18; 5:6-7)

What situations or assignments has God presented me with that I’ve neglected to act on? Have I allowed ease and sloth to keep me from moving forward with Him and others? Have I procrastinated so long with certain issues that I wrongly no longer deem them important? What written note, task, or conversation have I put off? Would I accept the hard work it takes to make changes and begin to serve, commend, fix, stretch to make a difference for God’s kingdom?

Are there areas where I thoughtlessly jump in without aligning my reactions with God’s word? Am I diligent to seek His best way of resolving issues or dealing with sin?

When we take care of what God has put before us, we honor Him in obedience, set an example for others, and free the way for Him to assign us more. We clear our consciences and pathways of all that distracts and hold us back so we can progress in faith and help others do the same. (Luke 12:48b)

Lord, keep me pressing on to glorify You by taking care of Your every request.

“Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You have permission to speak for yourself.’ Then Paul stretched out his hand..:

“’I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews…

“’In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.  At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun… And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me.., ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?..’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you… to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you  to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

“’Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance… To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass…’

“And Agrippa said to Paul, ‘In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?’ And Paul said,’Whether short or long, I would love to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am – except for these chains.’” Acts 26:1-3,12-20,22,28-29

Paul was giving his defense before King Agrippa for false accusations that he’d been inciting violence. What seemed on the surface simply a personal defense for baseless allegations was actually the gospel. He sought and seized every opportunity to proclaim it. (Acts 25:7-25)

Into every morning, every work day, every encounter with another person and every interaction in commerce or friendship, we carry the hope we have in Christ. Is the gospel at the forefront of heart and mind and passion? What can we do to know it so well that in peace or conflict, when asked or when bumped into, we spill over with the truth of the gospel?

Do we pray for opportunities to spell out the hope of Christ, to exhibit His mercy, forgiveness, justice, and love? Do we speak against Satan’s power and in confidence of God’s? Do we exhibit a life of steady faith, choices made depending on the promises of God, present and future?

Gracious Lord, please help me tuck the light and freedom of your gospel into every part of my day. May your excellencies and the beauties of your heavenly gifts adorn my speech and actions so that others may turn to you and be saved.

“When Isaac was old and… could not see, he called Esau his older son and said,.. ‘Go out and hunt game for me, and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love.., that my soul may bless you before I die.’

“Now Rebekah was listening… So when Esau went to the field.., Rebekah said to Jacob,.. ‘Bring me two young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food for your father, such as he loves… so that he may bless you before he dies.’ But Jacob said, ‘My brother Esau is hairy, and I am smooth… Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse… and not a blessing.’

“Then Rebekah took the garments of Esau,.. and put them on Jacob… And she put the delicious food, which she had prepared, into the hand of Jacob.

“So he went in to his father… And he said, ‘Who are you, my son?’  Jacob said, ‘I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me…’ Then Isaac said to Jacob, ‘Please come near, that I may feel you, to know whether you are really my son Esau or not… The voice is Jacob’s, but the hands are of Esau.” And he did not recognize him… So he blessed him…

“As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, when Jacob had scarcely gone out from [his] presence.., Esau came in from his hunting… And he said to his father, ‘Let my father arise and eat of his son’s game, that you may bless me.’ His father Isaac said to him, ‘Who are you?’ He answered, ‘I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.’ Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, ‘Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me,.. and I have blessed him?..’ As soon as Esau heard [this], he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry and said, ‘Bless me, even me also, O my father!’ But he said, ‘Your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing.’  Esau said, ‘Is he not rightly named Jacob? [Jacob means He cheats] For he… took away my birthright, and now he has taken away my blessing.’” Genesis 27:1,3-6,9-12,15,17-19,21-23

“The heart is deceitful above all things,
    and desperately sick;
    who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9

From the womb, Jacob was marked as a deceiver. His name and early actions proved that earnest intention never made its way into prayerful or honest effort. Tangled in family manipulation, he fell to the lowest common denominator of conniving, impulsive action. While it was not wrong to desire the birthright or blessing he’d been promised by God, it was misguided to add sin to sin and mix it with self-effort and deception. (Genesis 25:21-34)

Where do we manipulate and mislead? When do we answer mischief or lies with the same? How might the Lord intervene if we stop finagling people and circumstances to get our way? Will we trust Him to right the wrongs we suffer? How can we honor Him anew by ceasing dishonest deception altogether? (Romans 12:16-19,21)

Father, search me and cleanse me from any deceptive impulses. May my whole desire pure and my life surrendered to Your truth, ways, and glory.

“Though the fig tree should not blossom,
    nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
    and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
    and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
    I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the deer’s;
    he makes me tread on my high places.” Habakkuk 3:17-19

“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
    my glory, and the lifter of my head.” Psalm 3:3

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.  To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:10-11

The winter scape is monochromatic, shades of grey mottled beyond bare silhouetted trees. The threat of snow layers heaviness upon cold in the air, no color now or in the forecast. It is a long way till green or bloom.

Life goes that way at times, in dreary soul seasons of wintry sorrow, of dull living and aspiration. Weighty curtains of disappointment or grief block out light and color, press down weak efforts to raise the head and breathe fresh air. Brokenness chills the heart, freezing out joy, and bleakness of future shadows today with desolation, even despair. But the divinely-instilled indomitable spirit still hopes enough to ask, Where shall we look? To whom shall we go? (2 Chronicles 20:12)

“I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:1-4

The Lord who made heaven and earth is He who saves and is our strength. He walks beside us and takes us on the heights. He surrounds us and strengthens us. God’s glory encircles the ugly and lifts the head up and out. God’s image bearers know this mourning has a morning beyond, that the cross and grave are prerequisites for resurrection, restoration, and ascension. Little while suffering will be swallowed in eternal rejoicing.

What causes despondency that our Lord has not known and understood? What weight is He not strong enough to carry, what ill can He not heal? What fracture can He not repair, what gloom can He not cast away, what temptation has He not conquered? (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Though we tarry in hard times, sadness, no answers, weighty circumstances, the Lord promises joy in the morning. His call to eternal glory carries us through transient troubles. Will we faithfully walk that shadowed path in assurance that it is His way of ultimate triumph? (Psalm 30:5)

“This is my Father’s world:
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!” ~Maltbie D. Babcock (1901)

Lord, keep me trusting Your dominion to create color, life, and joy where there is none, that You be glorified.

Habakkuk’s Complaint

“O Lord, how long shall I cry for help,
    and you will not hear?
Or cry to you ‘Violence!’
    and you will not save?..”

The Lord’s Answer

“Look among the nations, and see;
    wonder and be astounded.
For I am doing a work in your days
    that you would not believe if told.”

Habakkuk’s Second Complaint

“Are you not from everlasting,
    O Lord my God, my Holy One?..

“I will take my stand at my watchpost
    and station myself on the tower,
and look out to see what he will say to me,
    and what I will answer concerning my complaint.

“And the Lord answered me:

“‘Write the vision;
    make it plain on tablets,
    so he may run who reads it.
For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
    it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
    it will surely come; it will not delay.

“’Behold,.. the righteous shall live by his faith.'” Habakkuk 1:2,5,12; 2:1-4

“My soul waits for the Lord
    more than watchmen for the morning,
    more than watchmen for the morning.” Psalm 130:6

“Thus the Lord said to me:
‘Go, set a watchman;
let him announce what he sees.
When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs,
riders on donkeys, riders on camels,
let him listen diligently,
very diligently.’
Then he who saw cried out:
‘Upon a watchtower I stand, O Lord,
continually by day,
and at my post I am stationed
whole nights.'” Isaiah 21:6-8

A quick or cursory glance around us can bring confusion and unrest at what God is doing. Violence, tragedy, chaos, and sadness hold captive our emotions and distort vision, preventing us from seeing life as God sees. To take on His view, we must rise above our circumstances and the world’s view and climb up to the watchpost, to the heavenlies where an eternal perspective is possible. There we can adjust our eyes to His light and long view, settle our hearts, and wait for His perception in His time. Faith gets and keeps us there.

To assess the whole order of things in a singular moment is to deprive an occasion of setting and context. To make sweeping decisions based on immediate strain or ecstasy is to neglect reasoning for the long term. While it’s appropriate to bring current complaint to the Lord, it is resolved by listening keenly to His response, tracing His hand that’s always guided by His infallible character, and choosing an eternal perspective. He is faithful to answer over time.

When have I jumped to conclusions in a situation, claiming it wasted or without possible remedy? Where have I given up working and praying, exasperated at setbacks and deeming someone or something beyond redemption? Where am I blaming God, questioning His goodness, condemning His actions, or feeling chafed He’s not answering my way and immediately? Would I choose to articulate my angst, then patiently be still and know, by faith in who He is and how He works, that God is God, good, and will be exalted in every circumstance? (Psalm 46:1-3,8-11)

Gracious Lord, help me see life as You do with an eternal perspective, wholly trust that You are working all for Your ultimate glory and good. (Romans 8:28)

“At the dedication of the wall they sought the Levites, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres.  The sons of the singers gathered together from the district surrounding Jerusalem and from the villages…

“Then I brought the leaders of Judah up onto the wall and appointed two great choirs that gave thanks. One went to the south on the wall… After them went Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah… and certain of the priests’ sons with trumpets..; with the musical instruments of David the man of God. And Ezra the scribe went before them.  At the Fountain Gate they went up straight before them by the stairs of the city of David, at the ascent of the wall, above the house of David, to the Water Gate on the east.

“The other choir of those who gave thanks went to the north, and I followed them with half of the people, on the wall, above the Tower of the Ovens, to the Broad Wall,  and above the Gate of Ephraim, and by the Gate of Yeshanah, and by the Fish Gate and the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred, to the Sheep Gate; and they came to a halt at the Gate of the Guard.  So both choirs of those who gave thanks stood in the house of God… And the singers sang with Jezrahiah as their leader.  And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.” Nehemiah 12:27-28,31-32,35-40a,42c-43

The rebuilding of the wall under great duress and opposition was finally complete. The Lord had provided supplies, protection, and stamina. There was much reason to give thanks, so leaders Nehemiah and Ezra made it happen in a grand, meaningful way. The joy at all God had done welled up to melodious, unrestrained praise.

Giving thanks with deliberation, attention, and responsive joy is a vital part of spiritual life. We own innumerable spiritual riches, and receive new morning mercies and blessing upon blessing every day. God provides ongoing, generous wisdom, inspiration, and peace. What selfishness causes complaint instead? How will we make praise to this good and gracious Lord a daily rhythm? (Psalm 34:3; Lamentations 3:22-23; Ephesians 1:3; 5:19-20)

“Joyful, joyful, we adore You,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before You,
Op’ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!

Mortals, join the mighty chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
God’s own love is reigning o’er us,
Joining people hand in hand.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life.” ~Henry Van Dyke (1907)

How infectious is our praise? How far will our song be heard?

“Thou that hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more, a grateful heart.

Not thankful, when it pleaseth me;
As if thy blessings had spare days:
But such a heart, whose pulse may be
Thy praise.” ~George Herbert (1593- 1633)

Worthy Lord, with whole soul and voice may I ever sing Your thanks and praise.

“Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.  And when they came to him, he said to them:

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,  serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;  how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.  And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there,  except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.  But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God… I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God… 

“‘And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified… ‘ And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

“Paul answered, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’  And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, ‘Let the will of the Lord be done.’” Acts 20:17-24,27, 32,36; 21:13-14

When Paul was drastically saved, a testimony he repeatedly recounted, his mindset and passions were completely reoriented. The Lord had revealed that he would suffer much for the sake of His name, and a humbled, grateful Paul embraced that call wholeheartedly. His every breath was spent to finish the work God had saved him and sent him to do: preach the gospel. Even when fellow believers attempted to persuade him to avoid impending harm, it was important to him that they take note of and take up this passion to fix their eyes on Christ and finish His race. (Acts 9:10–16; 21:7-12; 2 Timothy 4:7)

Where has the Lord nudged us to serve and we have rebuffed His Spirit’s promptings due to ease and personal preference? Even when we say we are all in, are we prone to flagging in zeal and giving up when things get difficult? Where have we focused more on the risks and roadblocks than the promises of God? How many projects do we start and not finish? (Romans 12:11)

How might the Lord change our motivations to welcome His call with eagerness and faith? Maybe we list His promises, and memorize them. Could we match His word to every doubt and fear in order to face obstacles head-on? Would we pray for reoriented passions and bold courage?

It is an amazing gift to be saved by the relentless love of God. And it is an indescribable privilege to serve Him in response. Are we committed to finishing the course He marks for us?

Lord, may I finish all You’ve called me to do with zeal and for Your glory.