Author: astherainandsnow

“If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised.., of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;.. as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own… One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus…

“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.” Philippians 3:4-14,20-4:1

Paul had every reason for earthly confidence, every credential for worldly worth. But when the Spirit of God met him, He changed how he viewed the adornments of his flesh and captured his soul for Jesus. Now, to know and be like his Savior was his motivation, and to make Him known his aim. For the sake of Christ he counted his gains loss and rubbish, nothing compared to the greatness of knowing Him. Nothing surpassed the worth of identifying with Christ, the power of His resurrection and His sufferings. This consumed him, for this he strained forward and pressed on. (Acts 9:1-20)

So his Savior had done for him, and so he would live. What brought the realization of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus and living in His power was understanding what He had by grace done, and freely given. For the love of His own, Jesus counted everything as loss for surpassing worth of knowing and saving us. He gave up everything, willingly ‘counting as loss’ His own glory to humble Himself unto death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-11)

What does Christ’s surpassing worth mean for us in practical terms? Are there things and activities and dreams we treasure more, that prevent us from giving our all for Him? What do we idolize that we need count as rubbish, in order to know Him better? Have we applied the power of His resurrection so we can bear suffering with grace and gratitude? What entertainment and activities do we need leave behind in order to press on to maturity?

Lord Jesus, may Your worth ever captivate and amaze me. Identify and change what is needed that I might press on to know and praise You as You deserve.

“David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ And Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord also has put away your sin.'” 2 Samuel 12:13

“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
    and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
    my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. 

I acknowledged my sin to you,
    and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’
    and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” Psalm 32:1-5

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
    but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always,
    but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” Proverbs 28:13-14

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Concealing sin, pressing down to hardness the rebel attitude and unbridled affections, entangles us in the thorns and weeds of calamity: frustration, restlessness, harsh and hard hearts. Guilt, despondency, groaning of soul. Confession exposes the root, and opens the garden gate. God’s forgiveness ushers us through into all beauty and fragrance of a fruitful life, and grace addresses the briars’ sting and creeping, suffocating strangle.

Ah, keeping silent about our sin seems easier, for a while. We strangely think if we keep it hidden from sight it may go away- at least we wish this so, but to no avail. It saps, it drains, it weighs heavy, and begins to manifest itself in ugly outbursts and expressions. Anger, bitter words, deception, criticism, all darkness toward others and anything but exposure of ourselves. But our trying to conceal in the flesh brings drought to spiritual growth. It certainly is no match for the hiddenness of our sins in Christ.

When we respond to the conviction of the Spirit with ‘I have sinned against the Lord,’ we instantly open ourselves to healing light that floods in to apply mercy in every part. We leave at the cross all that we tried to cover up or ignore, all the waste that ensued, and hide under Jesus’s blood. Burdens are lifted, outlook changes, hope buds, and righteousness blossoms. What was too long covered up is instantly covered forever by Christ’s sacrifice, and we are free to flourish. (Colossians 3:3)

What keeps us from confessing our sins, and genuinely saying we are sorry? Pride, a hunger for vengeance, and fear too often upturn the way of pardon when “no condemnation” awaits. Do we offer open and ready forgiveness to those who have wronged us? In light of what our Savior suffered on our behalf, how will we act in kind? (Romans 8:1)

“Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.” ~Charles Wesley (1738)

Lord, may I apply the cross and resurrection in every offense and relationship, to the praise of Your glorious grace.

“Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.'”

“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’  Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’” John 4:34; 9:1-5

Jesus was about many things during His three year public ministry, and He fulfilled every plan and intention in His allotted time. He turned antagonism into fruitfulness by addressing what was true, then getting about the significance of the situation. As long as He was light here on earth, He would do God’s work and illuminate His eternal purposes to His praise. And when all was accomplished, He would walk willingly, decisively, toward His crowning achievement on the Cross. In His last hour, He closed that day in perfect, triumphant darkness. (Luke 23:44-45)

What about us? Do we drift from day to day, thinking and fussing and busying no further than our calendars and whim? Darkness will one day swallow our days here on earth. While it is day, would we work the works of Him who sent us here and numbered our breaths? (Psalm 139:16)

“So teach us to number our days
    that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16

When many things in the world press as urgent, would I pause to ask what is urgent to my Lord? What is the work He would have me accomplish this day? Does it require setting aside my own agenda, or my desires? Am I willing to please Him, no matter the cost, by shining gospel light as long as I have opportunity? In whose lives , and how, am I invested, and are there new frontiers the Lord has prepared for me? In what ways would He have me reorder my time to make a difference for others? (Matthew 5:16; Hebrews 3:13)

“Awake, my soul, and with the sun 
thy daily stage of duty run;
shake off dull sloth, and early rise
to pay thy morning sacrifice.

Direct, control, suggest, this day,
all I design or do or say,
that all my pow’rs, with all their might,
in Thy sole glory may unite.” ~Thomas Ken (1695)

“Work while it is today!
This was our Saviour’s rule;
With willing minds let us obey,
As learners in His school.

Lord, Christ, we humbly ask
Of Thee the power and will,
With fear and meekness, every task,
Of duty to fulfill.

At home, by word and deed,
Adorn redeeming grace;
And sow abroad the precious seed
Of truth in every place.” ~James Montgomery (1771-1854)

Lord God, keep me awake, and ready for all You have for me, walking and working in wisdom in the length and light of Your day. May my food be Your will, and Your glory my highest goal. (Colossians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6)

“I am the Lord your God. You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the Lord…

“Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these things, for by all these the nations I am driving out before you have become unclean…  So keep my charge never to practice any of these abominable customs that were practiced before you, and never to make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 18:1-5,24,30

“When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, ‘Are you for us, or for our adversaries?’  And he said, ‘No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.’ And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped.” Joshua 5:13-14

We are so prone to looking right and left to make our choices, determining the better (or lesser of evils) for me and always ready to jump, when the Lord tilts the chin and says ‘stop, stay in the middle and look to me. Where you are with me is right.’ He operates on a dimension that is other-worldly, and as His children, we need train ourselves to consider His spiritual ways and parameters instead of earthly ones.

When we compare heathen ways with heathen ways, we can always justify some worse or some less bad. Sometimes we can even make excuses for possible good. But the Lord is clear: ‘If I’ve declared it unclean, it’s not to be considered, flirted with, gazed upon, or stroked. Stay away, and follow Me.’ He faithfully, in the process of our sanctification, leads us out of certain habits and ways of thinking, transforming us by the renewal of our minds and will. Why would we return, or jump onto another lily pad with similar stain? The flesh is weak, and too often our will cannot hold its ground. (Matthew 26:41; Romans 12:2)

So, the middle place is actually the highest place, the safe center where faith blooms and Jesus is and we are held. The world teases, pulls, and presses, but secure in Christ we are untouched. We must always revere Him as Leader and Lord. Would we cling to Him, and cherish His truth above all? Would we say a flat loud No! to unrighteousness and Yes! to His commands? Would we throw off the sin that entangles and run with eyes on Him? (Hebrews 12:1-2)

When we toy with return to former ways, or the tease of anything ahead that would entice us from Jesus, walking steadily in the middle of the Lord’s commands directs and protects our lives in righteousness.

Father, fix me in the middle of Your will, bold not to return to past sins, nor venture ahead nor away. You and Your word are the place I want to stay.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior…

“I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;  likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire… Continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.” 1 Timothy 2:1-3,8-10,15b

“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves.” 1 Peter 3:3-5

So much is made about outward appearance. Dressed and fit, accessorized and posed, we want to be perfect for the screen, the banter, the acceptance and applause of those around us. We bear the burden of baring too much story and skin, all to gain attention that is fleeting. But then we’re arrested by the admonition to lift holy hands, or to cultivate a quiet spirit, and don’t know where and how to fit that into the dressing room of our day to day. How to reconcile the Lord’s call for modesty and measured living in His flow and flourish, when habits that are opposed are now exposed?

What to do? How to turn, and proceed? First of all, pray about all these things, confessing need, with commitment. Check motives in every choice, and repent toward a pure heart and eternal perspective. Do I dress to provoke, to draw attention to anything other than Christ? Whom do I aim to please? And what about modesty of speech? Do I have to tell all? Why do I clamor for notice? Are my words authentic? What do my words betray about the status of my spirit? What drives me to reveal what I do, and who does it glorify? What makes it so hard to keep my mouth closed? The Lord will answer, and help. He’s on our side. Psalm 19:7-8,10a,12-13a,14; Romans 8:31-34)

How much do we care about and tend to the inner self? What if we took as much time and attention to refine our inner strength and beauty as we do the external? What if we made deliberate changes to our schedules and actions to promote a gentle, quiet spirit, and good works? To soak in Christ so we reflect His grace and love? To invest in the good of another’s soul? The transformation God works inside is sure to show, and in ways that reveal Him.

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
    but a woman [or man] who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30)

Lord God, make me godly and dignified in every way, that my dress and words spoken are fitting for my King, and display the honor You deserve.

“May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12 

“We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

Love is an action, and action isn’t stagnant. Saying we love someone then not repeating it for years ‘ because nothing’s changed’ is no way to love. In Christ, and for Christ and others, our love should be constant, and constantly growing. It should continually thrive and increase as we grow up in spiritual maturity, in knowledge and understanding of our Lord and those He’s given us to love. If we are loving in His way and power, love will abound and multiply to spread His influence.

Love can grow when our heart soil is rich, aerated with grace, forgiveness, kindness, and courtesy. It must be cleared of stones of resentment, pebbles of hurt, nasty roots of bitterness, and weeds of remembered wrongs. Fertile soil can’t mingle with contamination and bear fruit- we must rid of the bad to make ready the good. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Hebrews 12:15; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:5-6).

Love also grows when we study and absorb the love of Christ. Learn His ways and methods of selfless asking, unrushed timing, patient discussion, speaking truth with love, humbly laying down His life. Bask in the limitless measure of His love, allowing it to sink deep, lift high, and hold tight, then begin to express that love in like measure. Acknowledge and thank Him for His tenderness, mercy, and lavish grace, then go and love likewise. (John 4:4-18; 13:1-5,14-15; 15:13; Ephesians 3:17-19; 4:15,32).

Loving brothers and sisters in Christ requires seeing them as God does, and genuinely desiring what is best for them. They are beloved and cherished, with a path marked out by God for His intended works. Loving others well calls me to prefer them over myself, and consider their interests as more important than my own. It can be transforming for both parties, eliciting transformation and promoting spiritual fruitfulness as we support one another to do God’s will. What am I doing or saying in love to encourage or free another to fulfill God’s calling and purpose? To pass along His counsel and wisdom? To refine in godliness and purity, or check error that could lead to harm? (Proverbs 27:6,9,17; Isaiah 43:4,7; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14,16-17)

What are specific ways I can love others as Christ has loved me? What one act of humble service, forgiveness, graciousness, consolation, burden-bearing, practical help, will I do this day in Christ’s name, for His sake? How can I contribute to building up the Body by multiplying my love for and among it?

Lord, root and ground me in love, striving with me to comprehend its vastness and power. Teach me to love You, and others, as I ought to love, abounding more and more in ever-increasing measure, to the glory of Your Name. (Philippians 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

“On the eighth day Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel,  and he said to Aaron, ‘Take for yourself a bull calf for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without blemish, and offer them before the LORD. Say to the people of Israel, “Take a male goat for a sin offering, and a calf and a lamb, both a year old without blemish, for a burnt offering, and an ox and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD, and a grain offering mixed with oil, for today the LORD will appear to you…”‘ And Moses said, ‘This is the thing that the LORD commanded you to do, that the glory of the LORD may appear to you…’

“Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and came down from offering the sin offering and burnt offering and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.” Leviticus 9:1-4,6,22-24

There is a holy hush in the order, detail, and earthiness of priests offering animal sacrifices. The exactness, the blood, the stench, and the careful process of each offering blends to rise with pleasing aroma to God, even as it stirs the deepest soul response in men. In the taking, in the offering, in the mixing, the LORD appears. In the obedience, His glory shines. Our LORD receives what we offer and blesses both it and us, to the awe and praise of His people.

What can we offer Him that begins to compare with what He offered us in Christ? He gave His life so our hearts can throb with gratitude in return. He gave forgiveness, freedom, salvation, abundant life, eternal riches. Our measly portion of obedience, honor, thanksgiving, and service pales in the shadow of His infinite gifts to us. We can never out-give God. Yet, upon opening our hands, our offering is blessed. Indeed, the Lord loves a cheerful giver. (Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Ephesians 1:3-14)

We no longer come by way of priestly sacrifice, for our Great High Priest gave Himself once for all. What will we offer the Worthy One of our days, means, talents, and lives? (Hebrews 7:27)

“Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” (Isaac Watts, 1707)

“Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee.

Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.” ~Frances R. Havergal (1874) 

Father, be glorified in my every offering. Amen.

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,  so that you became an example to all the believers… For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven,.. Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

Example begets example, when threaded by the Holy Spirit through willing hearts and hands. The Thessalonians betrayed no cursory mimic of Paul, but deep-rooted application of truth fleshed out in the most trying of circumstances. Paul’s shining example, including his very act of writing letters to build up the churches, rang true and abroad for every child of God as they imitated him and further spread God’s message of salvation.

Being an example has little to do with comparisons and watchers, and everything to do with the One you follow. Trying in self-effort to put on goodness and faith proves superficial. Words spoken merely to flatter or impress ring hollow. If we give or receive shallow example, all is in vain and nothing makes a lasting impression. Immersing ourselves in Christ with full surrender is the only way to be transformed, influential, and effectual. A life lived wholeheartedly for Him is one that attracts others to Him, and makes every sincere believer want to be like Jesus when we grow up. (1 Peter 1:16)

Note the noteworthy in Paul: He prays with substance and affection for his brothers loved by God, and commends them for their steadfastness and faith. His own application of God’s promises and sufficiency had been imitated by them and was bearing fruit. His bold ministry held no flattery or self-promotion, but was fueled by love and compassion for Christ’s church. They, in turn, were bold in imitation of his genuine faith and affection, theirs proving sincere and strong. (1 Thessalonians 2:1-12)

With shared focus on Jesus over self, we can all learn to press on and pass on with persistence and sincerity. What we see, we emulate; what we learn, we teach by both word and example. In the Body, we are all enriched by the examples of others, or serving as one ourselves; by observation, instruction, and implementation; by lessons learned through success and failure.

Who has influenced me in a life-giving way, and how can I imitate their example? What in me needs to be honed to reflect Christ with vibrancy and winsomeness? Am I honest about struggles, and quick to credit God for His mercies, way-making, and help? (Psalm 73:1-3,16-17,21-26,28)

Lord, make me grateful for every Christ-like example, and gracious to be one too.

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

“What a person desires is unfailing love…
The fear of the Lord leads to life;
    then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”

“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
    but one who has insight draws them out.”

“A person may think their own ways are right,
    but the Lord weighs the heart.” Proverbs 19:21-22a,23; 20:5; 21:2

“I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 49:3-7

“The Lord your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
    but will rejoice over you with singing...
At that time I will deal
    with all who oppressed you.
I will rescue the lame;
    I will gather the exiles.
I will give them praise and honor
    in every land where they have suffered shame.
At that time I will gather you;
    at that time I will bring you home.
I will give you honor and praise
    among all the peoples of the earth
when I restore your fortunes
    before your very eyes,’
says the Lord.” Zephaniah 3:17,19-20

We are designed to long to be cherished, bearing both the image of Infinite God and the flesh of temporal man. In our minds are many plans, in our heart is deep yearning and purpose. It is the Lord our Maker who made and weighs and understands what we can feel with passion but be unable to articulate or express with words. He is both Maker and Lover of our souls. (Genesis 1:26-27; Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Yet, we crave many other things, objects, stuff, and experiences that fail to satisfy inner longing. We eat and drink, buy and collect, tease loneliness and medicate hurt, but living still rings hollow. Bitter wounds lie open, misdirected passion turns stale, unrequited love grows cold. We attempt to placate, soothe, and satiate with all the wrong material and methods, to no lasting avail.

But turning our eyes and hopes to the Lord, we can rest in peace knowing that we are deeply loved, that our identity and value bears a divine imprint. He treasures us more than we can even imagine. We can also be God’s instruments in communicating this eternal worth to others.

Would we fix our security in God’s love and affection for us? Only He fulfills. And what care will we invest, what patience and selfless love will we expend, to draw out another’s deepest longings, then build them up in God-given purpose? (Colossians 4:17; 2 Timothy 1:6)

Jesus, satisfy my every craving in Thee alone.

“Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
‘Let us burst their bonds apart
    and cast away their cords from us.’

He who sits in the heavens laughs;
    the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,
‘As for me, I have set my King
    on Zion, my holy hill.’

I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
    and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron
    and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’

Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son,
    lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
    for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” Psalm 2

Quiet rage begets sinister plots, and insidiously, kings of earth set themselves against the Almighty. Drunk on pride and power, they scoff at God and lead people astray with every sort of immorality and greed. Eager to be their own Master, they are enslaved to idolatry of things both evil and good, and lead the nations to worship the same. Foundations are destroyed, and foolish man, riddled with self importance, no longer reveres, or even recognizes, the truth or power of God. Blinded and wayward, as Friedrich Nietzsche would describe, they “stray, as through infinite nothingness.” (Psalm 11:3-5; Matthew 22:29)

But in fact, God reigns as King on and from His holy hill, and looks down on the kings of man in derision. They who huff and bristle are doomed to face His fury, yet in mercy He calls them to account. He breaks the pride and plans of man, and offers both warning and promise if they would humbly avoid His just wrath. He invites them in for refuge from perishing, to serve and fear and rejoice in Him. He hears their earnest, needful cry. What grace! What wondrous love! One day they will bow and confess Him as Lord, and He gives them the option of tremble or praise. (Psalm 3:4; Philippians 2:8-11)

Are there ways, and areas of my personal life, where I shrug off my Maker to avoid His influence or escape His control? Do I behave like a spiritual adolescent, asserting my will against His, insisting I’m sufficiently smart and able? Do I really think the collective counsel of the spiritually ignorant is superior to the wisdom of God? Would I instead heed His warnings and the Spirit’s conviction against rebellion and idolatry?

Being broken by God is a gift when it leads to glad submission to His Sovereign rule. When we take refuge in Him who was broken for us to take the wrath we deserved, we are blessed forever. (Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 51:17; 1 Corinthians 11:24)

Gracious King, help me welcome Your breaking of my will and heart to make them wholly Yours.