Author: astherainandsnow

“These things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.  I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” John 17:13-18

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned… ‘For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:14,16

When the dark deep of water is your home, you avoid light and air. Think fish, who might tickle the surface or occasionally slice through the unlined barrier in a flip of other-worldly exertion. Their nature always dominates, and back to the wet they return. In contrast, the dolphin, a mammal needing air, breaks the water’s surface in smooth, regular arcs, silent save for the gentle whoof of a blow before intake of fresh breath. The necessary, life-sustaining rhythm is serene and certain.

As mammal sinners, we can do everything possible to remain in the world’s depths and often prefer the anonymity of darkness. We flit about in places we can hide, unwilling to have habits exposed, and flirting with shame. But we’ll never know full life as God intended without regularly breathing out the old and in the new. We must come to the light and partake of His Spirit to live.

While in the world, we will not escape its pull. But as Jesus prayed, we are not of the world, and can resist the evil one. We have every freedom (and urgent admonition) to break the surface of its mania and drink deeply the air of the heavenly Christ. Regularly carry the oxygen of His countenance and truth and loveliness to the madding realm of darkness. (Philippians 2:15)

What do we love and coddle too much in the present world, and so desert, or even recoil from, the things and people and ways of God? Addictive or sultry habits in entertainment? Mindsets of angst, resentment, or catty complaining? Indulgences of the flesh, wallet, tongue, or mind? When will we take the necessary escape and exhale in order to inhale the purity, wisdom, and inspiration of the Lord?

While destined for this world’s water in our numbered days, take and delight in God’s precepts and have life. Bask in His light, and there we see light. Drink regular deep draughts of Jesus and be refreshed. The longer we linger in the murk of unsound teaching and unchecked passions without taking heavenly air, the harder it will be to make surfacing and remaining in Christ a practice. (Psalm 36:9; 119:92-93; 2 Timothy 4:3-4)

Father, having assigned me to this world for now, keep me coming up for You often and rhythmically. So sate me with Your way, truth, and life that I can spread it here below. (John 14:6)

“At that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews….

“Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king.  Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, ‘Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?  Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?’

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.  If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.’” Daniel 3:8,13-18

Because God was able to deliver them, the brave young Jewish exiles were readily willing to trust Him and their lives to His keeping, and were steadfastly unwilling to sin. Their allegiance was fixed and would not be shaken, no matter how maliciously threatened or tested. Since God was willing to be their God, they were willing to say a wholehearted yes to Him over any demand.

Nebuchadnezzar’s rage escalated when they did not relent, and he ordered the determined young men be bound and thrown into an even hotter furnace. Fury turned to fear when he witnessed a fourth walking in the fire with them, and all unbound and unhurt. “Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, ‘Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.'” (Daniel 3:19-28)

Many situations we encounter will test what we are willing or unwilling to do. Each choice is grounded in what we believe about God, and how much we trust Him to be who He says He is. When we worship, fear, and serve only Him as supreme and sovereign King, He will come first before any threat, temptation, or idol.

How well do we know God and all He’s willing to do for us? How willing are we to know Him better? Do we trust Him enough above our fears, doubts, and outside pressures that we’re unwilling to betray Him? He is able to make all grace abound to us so we have sufficiency in all things! He is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before His glory! His willingness to defend and supply for us should engender hearty willingness to stand with Him! (Romans 8:31-34; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Jude 1:24)

Lord on high, keep me ever willing to trust You above any other. Willing to give Your all for me, You are worthy of my sole devotion.

“Hear the word of the Lord, O children of Israel,
    for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land.
There is no faithfulness or steadfast love,
    and no knowledge of God in the land;
there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery;
    they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
Therefore the land mourns,
    and all who dwell in it languish…
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;
    because you have rejected knowledge,
    I reject you from being a priest to me.
And since you have forgotten the law of your God,
    I also will forget your children.

The more they increased,
    the more they sinned against me;
    I will change their glory into shame.
They feed on the sin of my people;
    they are greedy for their iniquity.
And it shall be like people, like priest;
    I will punish them for their ways
    and repay them for their deeds.
They shall eat, but not be satisfied;
    they shall play the whore, but not multiply,
because they have forsaken the Lord
    to cherish whoredom, wine, and new wine,
    which take away the understanding.
My people inquire of a piece of wood,
    and their walking staff gives them oracles.
For a spirit of whoredom has led them astray,
    and they have left their God to play the whore…
I will not punish your daughters when they play the whore,
    nor your brides when they commit adultery;
for the men themselves go aside with prostitutes
    and sacrifice with cult prostitutes,
and a people without understanding shall come to ruin.”

“The spirit of whoredom is within them,
    and they know not the Lord.” Hosea 4:1-3a,6-12,14c; 5:4

Judgment is pronounced on the nation for its slack and what that slack does back to their life choices. Like a slap in God’s face is the lack of godly behavior of His people. No steeping in His law, no glorious expression of its beauties. Slack in grappling and applying leads to sloppy living, loose filters, chasing after idols, mistreatment of others, and disordered affections. Overall, a lack of righteousness. Rejection of God and His ways portends His rejection in return.

The more we whore with the world and are influenced by godless opinions, caustic sound bites, and morally vacuous ‘expertise’, the less we will think like Jesus. The more profound our lack of knowledge, the looser our conscience and self-control. The closer we skirt toward boundaries of the profane, the more likely to push through them into riotous living- of the heart, or outward. Slack in spiritual discipline renders us unable to perceive the world with a biblical mindset and therefore impotent to interact with others and do business with pure godly intent and expression. (Matthew 22:29)

The only remedy is transformation: Worshiping God to fear God to gain wisdom and understanding. Girding up our loins with the knowledge of God, and getting to work to put truth to practice. Tightening up the slackness in our tether to the Lord. (Hosea 5:15; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 1:13)

Where do we evidence a lack of knowing the Lord’s character, or the tested vigor of spiritual life? What slack in attitude, willingness, or zeal need we confess? How will we hone life-altering knowledge of the Lord?

Father, keep me tight with You, pressing on to know You better so I can think and live fruitfully, reflecting Your light. (Hosea 6:3)

“Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
    for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am godly;
    save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.
Be gracious to me, O Lord,
    for to you do I cry all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
    for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
    abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
    listen to my plea for grace.
In the day of my trouble I call upon you,
    for you answer me.

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
    nor are there any works like yours…
For you are great and do wondrous things;
    you alone are God…
For great is your steadfast love toward me;
    you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol…
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Turn to me and be gracious to me;
    give your strength to your servant,
    and save the son of your maidservant.
Show me a sign of your favor,
    that those who hate me may see and be put to shame
    because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.” Psalm 86:1-8,10,13,15-17

David’s desperation is ingrained in dependence, his cry borne out of personal communion with His Savior. The infinite God of life and of the soul is the only One who knows and can remedy his trouble. He is not alone in his struggle, but wrestles with the very God who hears and answers prayer. Every need is tethered to an attribute, every outpouring an opening to be filled.

Nurturing a relationship with the Lord maintains ongoing communion, trust, dependence, and an indelible sense that He is our God. We grow in knowledge of Him, and of ourselves, and remain intricately connected in mind and emotion. We know He has delivered us from the depths, we know by experience His ongoing love and mercy, strength and comfort. Therefore we can plead boldly for needs we know He supplies and hurts He assuages.

Do I see how my abundant need is matched by God’s abounding faithfulness? Do I confess my sin based on His mercy and grace, and plead based on His long-suffering? Is my trust based on the fidelity of His word, my confidence in His goodness? All these are true, and are ours for the practicing. (Philippians 4:19)

How committed are we to constant prayer? To the consistent exercise of abiding? A regular, specific time in private quiet is vital, but so is the ongoing conversation of the heart. What are we learning that affects our introspection, meditation, and pleading? What are the results: greater peace, growing patience, increasing boldness, deeper worship, multiplied thanks? (John 15:5; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

God of all bounty, keep me abiding in prayer always, maintaining both vigorous communion and a quiet trusting heart. And for all Your answers, I give You glory, thanks, and praise.

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition [or] the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.  For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,  and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.  In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.  And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:6-14

The whole fullness of deity dwells in Jesus. His condescension to become our Savior brings His life to us in a personal, intimate, and supernatural way. If we are by grace sealed in His Spirit, we have been filled with Him, the ruler of all authority. Our heart has been circumcised in Him, our old life buried with Him, and we have been raised with Him in resurrection power. We are alive with Him, forgiven and free to say no to worldliness and wayward affections and to walk in His ways. (Romans 2:28-29; Philippians 2:2-8)

The more we understand who He is, and all that dwells in us in Him, the more we’re motivated and empowered to walk as He walks. With every spiritual blessing ours, we have every reason and resource to conduct our lives in His life here below. Rooted and built up in Him, we have His mind to recognize the wrong thinking and distorted reason of the world, and to think rightly. We have abiding peace that enables us to make peace with others. We have grace and power to say no to ungodliness and to bear the fruit of the Spirit. (Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 4:7; Titus 2:11-12)

How distinctly am I living out what He is in and with me?

“May the mind of Christ, my Savior, 
Live in me from day to day,
By his love and pow’r controlling 
All I do and say.

May the word of God dwell richly 
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph 
Only through his pow’r.

May the peace of God, my Father, 
Rule my life in ev’rything,
That I may be calm to comfort 
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me 
As the waters fill the sea.
Him exalting, self abasing:
This is victory.

May I run the race before me, 
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus 
As we onward go.” ~Kate B. Wilkinson (1925)

Lord, so establish me in You that I live out Jesus in every way, to the thanksgiving and praise of Your grace and glory.

“The Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, ‘Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their figured stones and destroy all their metal images and demolish all their high places.  And you shall take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given the land to you to possess it.'” Numbers 33:50-53

“The Lord said to Joshua,.. ‘Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them… Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.'” Joshua 1:1-3

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

“The Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you,.. was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” 2 Corinthians 1:19-20

When the LORD speaks, His word counts. It is clear. It carries power. It is true, real, and accomplished in the heavens where there is only eternal time. The future and present are equal in God’s divine economy, as are promises uttered and fulfilled. He is the beginning and the end, the first and last. Throughout the Bible and history we see heroes of faith stepping out, moving on, conquering people and lands and sin habits, believing that God’s I will is the same as have done. (Romans 4:19-25; Hebrews 11:7-21,24-27; Revelation 21:6a)

This grand and hope-filled truth should drive expectancy, obedience, and zeal in our day to day. The temptations and irritations that eat away at devotion have been borne on the cross! The bitterness, sloth, and disdain we coddle and carry have been crucified! Jesus conquered all these so we can live in the yes and amen, free to be and love and serve as He intends! If God has pledged fruitfulness and victory, why do we live in spiritual barrenness and defeat?(Romans 6:1-8,12-14; 1 Corinthians 15:55-58)

What do my attitudes and actions reveal about my belief- or doubt- in God’s ability to fulfill His word? If all His plans are formed of old, and faithful and sure, how intently am I doing my part to bring them to fruition and completion? In what good works, intended for me from the beginning, am I currently invested? How wholeheartedly do I invest my attention, time, and resources? Are there distractions I need put away in order to focus more on God’s specific commands to me? What adjustments are needed in personal confession, priorities, or transparency, for me to take new territories in faith? (Ephesians 2:10)

Lord, help me live in the confident amen of Your promises and purposes for me, to the blessing of many and exaltation of Your glory.

“My soul clings to the dust;
    give me life according to your word!
When I told of my ways, you answered me;
    teach me your statutes!
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
    and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
My soul melts away for sorrow;
    strengthen me according to your word!
Put false ways far from me
    and graciously teach me your law!
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I set your rules before me.
I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
    let me not be put to shame!
I will run in the way of your commandments
    when you enlarge my heart!

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
    and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in it.
Incline my heart to your testimonies,
    and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
    and give me life in your ways.” Psalm 119:25-37

The psalmist’s cry is born of wrangling with God’s word. The more he saw of its truth, the more clearly he saw the truth about himself. The brighter its light on its perfect Author, the more personal dark spots it revealed. The more closely it was held in forward focus, the greater his desire to put old ways distantly behind and away. For the earnest believer, God’s ways revealed in His word are a delight to behold and a magnet toward Him. They attract and compel, convict and cleanse.

With His word readily accessible, and God’s Spirit active to enlighten and inspire, how would we define our wrangle? How measures our passion to know and follow? What are we investing to comprehend God’s marvelous and mysterious ways, and then to apply them personally so we’re on their path and in their flow? (John 16:8,13)

The imploring to understand is matched by commitment to meditate. A choice for faithfulness is a choice to keep God’s precepts before us and in charge. We must fling off the dust we once clung to in order to cling to His truth. A divided heart must be re-inclined to be whole for the Lord. Eyes can be directed only one place, and must divert from worthless distractions to focus on His way.

What will it take for me to get off my way and get on His high best way?

“Have thine own way, Lord! 
Have thine own way! 
Thou art the potter, 
I am the clay. 
Mold me and make me 
after thy will, 
while I am waiting, 
yielded and still. 

Have thine own way, Lord! 
Have thine own way! 
Search me and try me, 
Savior today! 
Wash me just now, Lord, 
wash me just now, 
as in thy presence 
humbly I bow. 

Have thine own way, Lord! 
Have thine own way! 
Hold o’er my being 
absolute sway. 
Fill with thy Spirit 
till all shall see 
Christ only, always, 
living in me!” ~Adelaide Pollard (1906)

Lord, overtake my every inclination and effort so my delight is Your word and my ways become Yours. May I hasten and not delay to build Your kingdom and honor Your name. (Psalm 119:59-60)

“Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. The Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman’s wife.  She said to her mistress, ‘Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy…’ 

“[Namaan’s] servants said to him, ‘My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said, “Wash, and be clean”?’ So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored, and he was clean.

“Then [Namaan] returned to the man of God… and said, ‘Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.’ But [Elisha] said, ‘As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.’ And he urged him to take it, but he refused…  

“When Naaman had gone.., Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, said, ‘I will run after him and get something from him.’ So Gehazi followed Naaman… and said, ‘My master has sent me to say,.. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’ And Naaman said, ‘Be pleased to accept two talents.’ And he put them in [his] house… Elisha said to him,.. ‘Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants?'” 2 Kings 5:1-3,13-16,19b-21,22b-24,26

Servanthood reveals true colors. Taken from her family and homeland, the little girl sought only the good of her Syrian mistress and her important husband. She eagerly convinced her of Elisha’s power to cure. Namaan’s personal servants, likely influenced by this young girl’s faith, boldly persuaded him to set aside his arrogant stubbornness and heed the prophet’s instructions to be cured. The bold confidence and other-centeredness of these unnamed servants turned the course of their master’s life and future.

No so with Gehazi, the named and privileged servant to Elisha. He’d had every advantage of serving in the shadow of this great prophet and witnessed God’s power through him in manifold ways. Yet, stroking self-importance and covetousness, which in turn stoked the embers of greed, he wanted more. Serving his own interests, he was undeterred by Elisha’s utter dependence on the Lord. After Elisha turned down the lucrative reward offered by the newly-healed Namaan, Gehazi sought it for himself. It was deserved, wasn’t it? If his master turned it down, didn’t he have the right to take it? (2 Kings 2:9; 3:14-18; 4:8-17,25-36,42-44)

Wherever we’re placed by God, we’re called to serve Him first, and to work for others as unto Him. How willing are we to stay in the background, open our hands, and serve and use our words for others’ benefit alone? Where has self snuck to the forefront and tickled our greed? After confessing, would we deliberately ask how we might serve for other’s gain and good? (Mark 10:45; Colossians 3:23)

Father, help me embrace every opportunity to serve others in Your name, for their good, and to Your glory. (John 3:30)

“But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and livestock with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided.  The fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, and the waters receded from the earth. At the end of 150 days the waters had abated, and… the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.” Genesis 8:1-4

“He spread a cloud for a covering,
    and fire to give light by night.
They asked, and he brought quail,
    and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.
He opened the rock, and water gushed out;
    it flowed through the desert like a river.
For he remembered his holy promise,
    and Abraham, his servant.

So he brought his people out with joy,
    his chosen ones with singing.
He gave them the lands of the nations,
    and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples’ toil,
that they might keep his statutes
    and observe his laws.
Praise the Lord!” Psalm 105:39-45

Through years of obedient ark construction and days and weeks of rain, reeling in floodwaters, God watched over Noah and his family vigilantly. Through early traveling, settling, and building a family, and years of desert wandering and murmuring, then conquest of the promised land, God watched over the Israelites, from Abraham to multiplied millions. He remembered His love, His plan, His promises to His children. (Genesis 1:26-28; 12:1-3; Joshua 21:43-44)

When God remembers, we must not infer that He forgot. His remembering is an active, intricate fulfillment of all He is, has promised, and delights to do. He is never confused or unable to recall, but is infinitely perfect in omniscience and the ability to execute with precision every plan and purpose. (Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 14:24; 2 Corinthians 1:20)

Though life confronts us with times of destitution, when we wonder if He sees our helpless estate, understands our trouble, or has forgotten us altogether, God remembers. Calling this to mind brings hope, because His very nature to remember affirms we’re in His sight and heart constantly. When we are exhausted, spent from spending ourselves on others, giving to the last drop of energy, means, will, and mercy, He remembers. He neither overlooks nor forgets our love and work for the saints. (Psalm 42:6-11; 139:7-12; Galatians 6:9-10; Hebrews 6:10; 1 John 3:2)

What difference does God’s remembrance make in my fatigue, my morning and nightly outlook, my willingness to get up and obey, again? Whom can I encourage that he or she is deeply loved, known, and remembered by Jesus, and that all His good plans come to fruition? When God remembers, we hope, and keep on.

“Loved with everlasting love,
drawn by grace that love to know,
Spirit sent from Christ above,
thou dost witness it is so.
O this full and precious peace
from his presence all divine;
in a love that cannot cease,
I am his and he is mine.

His forever, only his–
who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart.
Heav’n and earth may fade and flee,
firstborn light in gloom decline,
but while God and I shall be,
I am his and he is mine.” ~Wade Robinson (1890)

Lord, help me remember that You remember, and live out my gratitude with unending joy.

“Praise the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
    who greatly delights in his commandments!..
Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;
    he is gracious, merciful, and righteous…
For the righteous will never be moved;
    he will be remembered forever.
He is not afraid of bad news;
    his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,
    until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
    his righteousness endures forever;
    his horn is exalted in honor.” Psalm 112:1,4,6-9

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” Proverbs 9:10

Proper fear of God wards off improper, inordinate fear of man, events, and unknowns. Proper fear of God rises like light from a right understanding of who He is and the power He holds, and dispels the darkness of anxiety and dread. The God who rules over storms also rules over their aftermath. Fearing Him then guards our minds and emotions going forward, establishing them in spiritual wisdom and fixing them in certainty on what is above, not on earth. (Colossians 3:1-2)

“The Lord is high above all nations,
    and his glory above the heavens!
Who is like the Lord our God,
    who is seated on high,
who looks far down
    on the heavens and the earth?” Psalm 113:4-6

“Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,
    at the presence of the God of Jacob,
who turns the rock into a pool of water,
    the flint into a spring of water.” Psalm 114:7-8

The drone of bad news in media and culture can mesmerize us by angst and despair. Fears of this, and that, and what-if make every sinister attempt to hold us in their grip. When we deliberately change our focus to fear God instead, and the music in our head from a drumbeat dirge of doom to delight in His attributes and promises, our outlook will change. When we look at adversaries of temptation, hardship, health, or a tenuous future through the lens of His triumph, we will grow in trust and make it contagious. (2 Timothy 4:18)

What unsteadies us and causes fear in our day to day? An exorbitant expense or unexpected diagnosis? The threat of natural, national, or international disaster? Do we recognize how the input we absorb is both smart and successful at dictating thought-links and fomenting irrational responses of fear and anger? What would change within me if I changed my input, and for a day, or days, ingested only God’s true word, allowing it a long soak into my heart? How could emotional frenzy be calmed if I put to memory for ready recall some verses or passages on hope? Would I humbly revere the omnipotent God who transcends every care, and turn each anxious impulse to thankful, expectant prayer and meditation on what is true and lofty? (Philippians 4:6-8)

Fearing God and nothing else is obeying God. He enables us to do all He commands by providing His presence and Spirit. To fear and trust Him only is to honor His power and name. (Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 41:10; 2 Timothy 1:7)

Lord, may I ever fear You and steadily trust Your supremacy over all, and so bring You the glory You deserve.