Author: astherainandsnow

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast that the Lord God had made.

“He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”?’ And the woman said, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.”’ But the serpent said, ‘You will not surely die. God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

“And… the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said, ‘Where are you?’ And he said, ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.’  He said, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?’ The man said, ‘The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.’ Then the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this that you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’” Genesis 3:1-13

While the temptation process through conversation and sensual consideration may take its steady time, the effects of sin committed are immediate and stark. At once, the couple who’d enjoyed complete delight, unhindered intimacy, and freedom from self-consciousness were stricken with a shroud of shame. Guilt, urgency to cover up and hide, quickness to blame- none had existed just moments before, but sin’s stain was instant, and by grace, instantly set in motion the now unfolding eternal plan for redemption. The curse, the announcement, the animal skin covering would hint at salvation to come. (Genesis 3:14-21)

The enemy eschews God’s merciful boundaries as restrictive. Media, experts, and even friends entice with all things sensual: trust feelings for guidance, and indulge for pleasure, comfort, and vital care. Sin distorts our understanding and weakens our defenses and will to deflect the cruel deceiver’s wily deceptions. (John 8:44; 10:10)

Where focus and heart are attached, such will direct our course. Under what and whose influence do we begin each day? How do we discern truth from lies about God? Which mantras and ingrained habits dull our ability to know and obey God’s ways? What excuses are we so accustomed to hiding behind that we no longer recognize our sin? (Matthew 6:21)

The only way out of sin is to confront it, confess it, and repent of it, then take on Christ’s robe of righteousness. Will we deal with it today? (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Father, guide my affections and attention away from willful sin, and wholly to hear and heed and glorify You.

“Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.  Peter said, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

“Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, do you have any fish?’ They answered, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.  That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were… about a hundred yards off.

“When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.  Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.  Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord.  Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.” John 21:2-14

One of the ways Jesus revealed himself to his dumbfounded disciples after the resurrection was to bring to mind His previous interactions with them. They had participated in the feeding of the 5000, the 4000, and most recently, the intimate last supper. Here He entered their everyday world and reminded them in an ordinary yet spectacular meal that He was their ongoing companion and provision. Going forward, they could live with expectant faith energized by the soul nourishment He would give. (Matthew 14:13-21; 15:32-39; 26:17-30)

Although we do not always recognize it is He who’s at work, the Lord involves Himself in our daily lives to test our faith and confidence in His supernatural ability and power to perform His Word. He appears and provides; we participate and are blessed and nourished through obedience: taking, eating, and distributing. (Exodus 16:2-21; John 6:3-14)

How keen are we to recognize the ways Jesus appears and provides in our ordinary- through individuals, circumstances, small miracles? When do we partake of Him and then trust Him to abide as we go about responsibilities? What regular, meaningful time do we invest to dine on heavenly provision from His word, prayer, communion, and Christian fellowship? His manna and living water always feed, heal, satisfy, and multiply strength and fruitfulness. (Revelation 22:1-2)

Where are we casting nets? Who at home, work, or in our community hungers for more than the world offers? When are we extending hospitality to welcome the needy, sharing the bread of truth and living water? (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2; John 4:14; 7:38; Romans 12:13)

Lord, keep me ever eager to dine with You and share Your goodness with the needy around me.

“Blessed be the Lord!
    For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart triumphs,
    and with my song I give thanks to him.

The Lord is the strength of his people;
he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.” Psalm 28:6-8

“I the Lord do not change, therefore you, O children, are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16-17

There are innumerable attributes of God that result in therefores for His children. He is, therefore I am and I will. And living life in that order, with that mindset of who He is first, will continually keep our outlook and needs in proper perspective and hold us secure.

He is the Creator, worthy of fear, and wonderful, therefore I am fearfully and wonderfully made and exist with eternal purpose. He is Spirit, creative, and wise, therefore I am inspired and can discern His will. He is immovable, a sure foundation, almighty, so I am secure and strong. He is omniscient and love itself, therefore I am known and loved. He is Savior and Victor over sin, therefore I am saved and free. He is all-sufficient, therefore I am content. He is compassionate and gracious, therefore I can approach Him in need and find mercy and help. (Genesis 2:7; Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21; Luke 24:2-6; John 8:32,36; ; 1 Corinthians 15:55-58; 1 John 4:4,8)

How much do we know about who God really is? Are our beliefs shaped by opinions, hearsay, authors, programs, sessions, or the Lord Himself? When do we regularly go to the Source firsthand and inquire, listen, abide? What new has He revealed of Himself that has made a difference recently? His word is alive, His mercies and teaching new every morning, His sustenance sufficient for the day thereof. (Isaiah 50:4; Lamentations 3:22-23; Matthew 6:33-34; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12)

If we commit to genuine pursuit, we should be learning new aspects of His character and ways. We will be freshly sensitized to and enlightened by His working. These truths will alter how we perceive situations and our part in them. Deeper comprehension of God’s attributes will engage our faith and compel us to move forward, take risks, test new opportunities.

Lord, daily increase my knowledge and understanding of You and my application of Your truth, so You are brilliantly glorified as Source and End.

“Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel. For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had broken down, and he erected altars to the Baals, and made Asheroth, and worshiped the host of heaven and served them. He built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, ‘In Jerusalem shall my name be forever…’ And he burned his sons as an offering in the Valley… of Hinnom, and used fortune-telling and omens and sorcery, and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger. And the carved image of the idol that he had made he set in the house of God… Manasseh led Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem astray, to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the people of Israel.

“The Lord spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they paid no attention. Therefore the Lord brought upon them the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria, who captured Manasseh with hooks and bound him with chains of bronze and brought him to Babylon. And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.  He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God…

“And he took away the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built on the mountain of the house of the Lord and in Jerusalem, and he threw them outside of the city. He also restored the altar of the Lord and offered sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving, and he commanded Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel.” 2 Chronicles 33:1-4,6-7a, 9-13,15-16

Following the mostly righteous 29-year reign of his father Hezekiah, Manasseh took the throne as a rebel. Five decades of subversive rule, wickedness, and entrenched idolatry hardened Judah seemingly beyond repair. But God is long-suffering and abounds in steadfast love and mercy. The tenderness of His heart kneads and softens the hardest spiritual callouses unto His grand purposes. Manasseh’s was no fake turn-around-when-times-are-tough, but a genuine coming to his spiritual senses and knowing the Lord was God. He was supernaturally humbled. The proof was in his complete turnaround in behavior, heart affection, and direction of leadership. (Psalm 103:8-14)

Personalities and proclivities get deeply entrenched over years of practiced habits. Over time, we hone our preferences until they become ingrained, and develop ugly default reactions of heart and mind. Unknowingly we lose the sensitivity needed to recognize spiritual waywardness. But when the Spirit makes us aware, we mustn’t deem ourselves beyond change or repair. He has power to convict, deliver, and transform.

What personal areas is He revealing that are not fully yielded, sanctified? Would we ask for open minds and malleable hearts, and increasing hunger for righteousness? Might this be a year of tremendous growth into His likeness?

Lord, apply Your Spirit’s perfect timing and ways to my full sanctification, for Your glory.

“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you… The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.”

“When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”

“It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment...

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” John 14:16-18,26-28; 15:26; 16:7-8,12-14

As Jesus prepared His disciples for His death and departure, He comforted them with the promise of His coming indwelling Holy Spirit. While they did not understand every aspect of this heavenly gift, they had known of the Spirit descending on Jesus at the onset of His public ministry and experienced His power with them. The Spirit himself would unveil fuller understanding when this promise was fulfilled and He was in them. After the shock of the crucifixion, these words would grip and guide them until Pentecost. (Matthew 3:16-17; Luke 24:49; John 7:39; 12:16; 20:9; Acts 1:4-5; 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 2:14)

The gift and ministry of the Holy Spirit is a boon to our lives like nothing else. A constant Helper, a Counselor of truth to teach and remind us what we’ve been taught and give spiritual discernment, a palpable Comfort, a constant Peace. What trouble is not met by His help, what turbulence not soothed by His otherworldly calm? He is real and lives within us forever! His abiding presence should make a difference in countenance, outlook, and how we handle stress and challenging circumstances.

What areas need His special touch? How might His power transform perturbing irritation, bitterness, regret, anxiety, stubbornness? What specifically in my demeanor or mind habits would I like to be overhauled forever? Would I welcome His abiding, and surrender to all the strength and help He brings?

Spirit, abide in unseen and obvious ways and have complete sway with all of me. Fill me and help me reflect Your glory for others to see and desire.

“Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God.  And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.

“After these things and these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah and encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them for himself…

“And [Hezekiah] set combat commanders over the people and gathered them together to him in the square at the gate of the city and spoke encouragingly to them, saying, ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.’ And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” 2 Chronicles 31:20-32:1,6-8

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

Hezekiah knew the Source of true strength and security. He knew his God, worthy of all praise and trust, and practiced walking with Him. So he was not surprised when the enemy attacked, for the enemy does not like faithfulness and uprightness. He saw this threatening plot as an opportunity for God to shine, and encouraged his people accordingly. When the Lord is God, our Helper in battle, we must not fear or be dismayed. Hezekiah’s confidence inspired confidence in his people, and God was exalted. Neither taunting nor tempted terror could unsettle those settled in the Lord. (2 Chronicles 32:9-21)

When life hums along with little conflict, we hum too. We find it easy to obey and do good. But when the enemy sets his teeth against us, and attacks emotions, pride, confidence, or security, we may be tempted to set ourselves against him in our own strength. Immediate flesh reaction is adrenalin-fueled and visceral: put up the fist, elbow our way through, arm ourselves with self-prescribed protection, push ahead with all our might. But we soon find we’ve expended empty effort.

The way to victory is to trust the One who sees every visible and invisible force against us and whose armies are mighty and able to save. He alone can vanquish any enemy threat and conquer any horde of fear, anxiety, doubt, and temptation. Will we let go of fretting and dismay, and take courage in Him?(Joshua 23:3; 2 Chronicles 20:17; Isaiah 41:10; Ephesians 6:10-18)

What attacks are we facing? In what situations do we feel overwhelmed and without hope? Where are we trusting the arm of flesh, our savvy and strength to solve and succeed? Would we ask God for faith to see His heavenly troops at ready defense, and confront temptation and despair head-on in His power? He is with us to help and fight our battles. (1 Samuel 17:47; Psalm 20:7; Zechariah 4:6; Romans 8:31-39)

Divine Victor, may I face every battle raising my arms only in surrender and praise to You.

“Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

“’I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were,.. and they have kept your word… I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you… All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them… They are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name… that they may be one, even as we are one… that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves… The world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world… Keep them from the evil one… Sanctify them in the truth… As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world…

“‘Father, I desire that they… may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.'” John 17:1-6,8,10-11,13-15,17-18,24

The pinnacle of Jesus’s final words before His crucifixion is His high priestly prayer. In this beautiful intercession, anticipating a heinous death, Jesus’s passion is glory. Not anguish, nor self-pity, blame, anger, hatred, or fear, but glory. Every hour, from birth in a crude manger through childhood years in a family, working as a carpenter, travels and teaching and healing, Jesus lived here on earth for glory. His life work was to glorify His Father by bringing His own to the glory of eternal life. (Luke 2:41-52; John 4:34)

What is my life purpose? What races my heart, ignites my affections, consumes my attention: work, ministry, learning, adventure, accomplishment, new thrills, a challenge, relationships, gastronomical satisfaction, luxury, leisure, worldly success? Do or can we see any or all of these as a gateway to glory? What if my highest passion was to bring glory to my God and Savior with every plan, every effort, every word? What difference would this lofty aim make to daily responsibilities and interactions? How can I envelop the necessary temporal within the glorious eternal?

What specifically will I do to glorify God? How will I receive and apply His word in obedience? Promote Christian unity and peace? Remain in and help others abide in His name? Engender joy? Guard vigilantly against the evil one? Remain faithful when hated, ridiculed, persecuted? Cooperate in sanctification, honed by God’s hands to reflect His glory? Behold His glory in worship so it infuses my every impulse and expression?

My Lord, may my daily motivation and work be to glorify You who are worthy of honor and glory and praise. (Revelation 4:11; 5:12)

“[John] said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said…’

“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!  This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.” I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel… I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.  I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.’

“The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, ‘What are you seeking?’ And they said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and you will see.’ So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day… He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which means Christ)…

“Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph…’ Nathanael answered him, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’” John 1:23,29-39,41,45,49

John announced and introduced Jesus as the Light, the promised Lord, and the Savior of the world. He proficiently and humbly fulfilled his purpose of making the Lamb known, then stepped back for the disciples to see Him only. They would follow Jesus, learn of and from Him, join Him at the cross, and follow His example after He was gone. He became a sheep Himself to shepherd them to eternal life. (Isaiah 53:4-7; John 10:14-15,27-28; 13:15)

We have many challenges and distractions that vie for our ‘follow.’ Voices in social media, prescribed strategies for personal fulfillment and worldly success, both well- and ill-intended opinions for structuring our days and patterns, health and thinking. The way of a humble lamb does not always excite or entice or even draw notice. The way of self-sacrifice seems counter-intuitive compared to worldly mantras. But to follow the Lamb is the way to rich life now and forever.

What pulls our attention and affections elsewhere? Where do we succumb to temporal pleasures and forsake what is lasting? What makes us give in to instant glitz and satiation and forego the Lord’s richer fare? Would we ask Jesus to draw our whole heart toward Him and His ways, and follow? (Matthew 6:19-21; Hebrews 11:24-26)

Lord my King, help me see the supremacy of following You at every turn, in every way, for Your renown.

“Hezekiah began to reign… In the first year, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. He brought in the priests… and said, ‘Hear me, Levites! Now consecrate yourselves, and consecrate the house of the Lord, and carry out the filth from the Holy Place. For our fathers have been unfaithful and have done what was evil in the sight of the Lord our God. They have forsaken him and turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord and turned their backs. They also shut the doors of the vestibule and put out the lamps and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings… My sons, do not now be negligent, for the Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him and to be his ministers and make offerings to him…’

“The priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord to cleanse it, and they brought out all the uncleanness that they found… and carried it out… Then they… said [to Hezekiah], ‘We have cleansed all the house of the Lord, the altar and all its utensils… All that King Ahaz discarded when he was faithless, we have made ready and consecrated, and behold, they are before the altar of the Lord.’

“Then Hezekiah the king rose early and gathered the officials and went up to the house of the Lord… [He] commanded that the burnt offering be offered on the altar. And when the offering began, the song to the Lord began also, and the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel.  The whole assembly worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded…  When the offering was finished, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped.  And Hezekiah the king and the officials commanded the Levites to sing praises to the Lord… They sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped.” 2 Chronicles 29:1a,3-7,11,16,18-20,27-30

For Hezekiah, doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord began with the temple of the Lord. In the first year, his first priority was to reopen the house of the Lord. He immediately set to repair all that had been neglected and reestablish proper sacrifice and worship to exalt his true King.

Tending the temple is an ongoing discipline. Hinges get rusty and stiff with lack of use, and utensils get misplaced. Apathy and laziness in our spiritual life yield nothing good or lofty, and breed only more self-interest, introspection, and ultimate misery. We have to let in light to see uncleanness, and exert effort to remove it and to prepare for and maintain pure, orderly worship. (Psalm 51:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

It takes care to tend to spiritual temples. What causes us to shut off our hearts to the Lord’s beckoning hand? What preferences and habits make us stiff-necked toward His grace and Word? Has specific rebellion rebuffed His fidelity? When we determine instead to open ourselves to His light, repair our relationship by genuine repentance and recommitment, and reinstate true Christ-centered worship, we will know gladness in fresh, astounding ways. Our vision and passions will be purified, our living renewed with eternal purpose, and He will receive the praise. (30:8-9,12,23-27)

Lord, may I daily open wide the door of my heart for Thee. Enter, reside, and rule to Your good ends and glory.

“Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and he built cities for defense in Judah. He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,… and Hebron, fortified cities that are in Judah and Benjamin. He made the fortresses strong, and put commanders in them, and stores of food, oil, and wine.  And he put shields and spears in all the cities and made them very strong. So he held Judah and Benjamin.

“And the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel presented themselves to him from all places where they lived. For the Levites left their common lands and their holdings and came to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons cast them out from serving as priests of the Lord,  and he appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat idols and for the calves that he had made.  And those who had set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel came after them from all the tribes of Israel to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the Lord, the God of their fathers.  They strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and for three years they made Rehoboam the son of Solomon secure, for they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon.”

“But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him. We have priests ministering to the Lord who are sons of Aaron, and Levites for their service. They offer to the Lord every morning and every evening burnt offerings and incense of sweet spices, set out the showbread.., and care for the golden lampstand that its lamps may burn every evening. For we keep the charge of the Lord our God, but you have forsaken him. Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with their battle trumpets to sound the call to battle against you. O sons of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God of your fathers, for you cannot succeed.” 2 Chronicles 11:5-6,10-17; 13:10-12

The time had come, with Israel’s divided kingdom after Solomon, for the priests to take a stand. They had faithfully set their hearts on the Lord, and when Jeroboam king of Israel introduced strange gods, they knew they had to put this heart into action and move to Jerusalem. While Jerusalem was not perfect, and Judah’s leader Rehoboam not fixed on seeking the Lord, they were able there to fulfill their call from God. (2 Chronicles 13:6-9)

While we live in this world, we will always meet opposition, and God does not waste it. Sometimes there are lessons to be learned in staying where we are, but there may come times when a heart set on God must translate into setting our feet in a new direction. The Lord God calls us to fear and faithfully serve Him, and if our situation makes that impossible or untenable, He may be calling us to move elsewhere.

Are there self-imposed limitations on what we are willing to do, even if God clearly calls elsewhere, in position or place? To what comforts or familiarities are we clinging? Whose will are we daily seeking, so we know what God’s clear direction is, higher and irrespective of worldly pressures or prohibitions? (Psalm 32:8; Proverbs 3:5-6)

Lord, may my call to serve and honor You reside and take precedence above all else. Compel me to follow and lead for You, to Your glory always.