Author: astherainandsnow

“Let me sing for my beloved
    my love song concerning his vineyard:
My beloved had a vineyard
    on a very fertile hill.
He dug it and cleared it of stones,
    and planted it with choice vines;
he built a watchtower in the midst of it,
    and hewed out a wine vat in it;
and he looked for it to yield grapes.” Isaiah 5:1-2

“In that day,
‘A pleasant vineyard, sing of it!
    I, the Lord, am its keeper;
    every moment I water it.
    Lest anyone punish it,
I keep it night and day…’

“In days to come Jacob shall take root,
    Israel shall blossom and put forth shoots
    and fill the whole world with fruit.” Isaiah 27:2-3,6

Vineyards are long in the making, cultivating, and tending, but once fruit is harvested, pleasantness flows and joy abounds. The years of wise care must be measured, thoughtful, and patient. Every effort at preparing, digging, culling, cutting, removing pests, pruning, and training, is toward a fruitful end that is always worth the effort and wait. (James 5:7-8)

It is the sure hope of God’s keeping that prompts us to send out shoots of risk and trust. It is the song of joy at the end that spurs us on through the tedium of required monotony. It is the promise of bountiful, delicious harvest that invites deepening faith through the detours, droughts, and impossibilities that loom in the present.

Our Lord has such wonderful intentions for His children, and provides all we need to live fruitfully, to understand and live in the flow of His will and to make a difference in our spheres of influence. If we would but remember His love songs and His care, His protective boundaries and ample nourishment, we would never wander out to strange fields. But the nasty little pests of pride and stubbornness and flesh, of self-will and preference for my way, can debilitate the best of good plans.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser… Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing… By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples… These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full…You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.” John 15:1,4-5,8,11,16

The secret of a pleasant and lush vineyard is our connectedness to the Vine. How closely are we abiding? In what ways do we take advantage of God’s prepared and cleared soil in our hearts, and take in His pleasant rains of truth to foster spiritual growth? How well disciplined are our efforts to move and stretch in HIs guided directions? Where do we need to yield to His pruning and reshaping?

Father, cause the vineyard of my life to bear sweet fruit for the good of others and the glory of Your name.

“Sing to him a new song;
    play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.”

“He put a new song in my mouth,
    a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
    and put their trust in the Lord.”

“Sing to him a new song;
    play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.” Psalm 33:3; 40:3; 96:1

“And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain… And he took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying,

“’Worthy are you to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
    from every tribe and language and people and nation…’

“Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 

“’Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!’

“And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 

“’To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’

“And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ and the elders fell down and worshiped.” Revelation 5:6-9,11-14

The scriptures are rich with much music, its pages laced with songs of praise, lament, and hope. Musical expression flowed from surrender, victory, desperate need, and certain confidence, all heart-felt examples for God’s people through the ages. (Numbers 21:17; Exodus 15:19-21; Psalm 42:5-8)

But we crunchy people get in ruts. We whine the same complaints, mimic media talking points, drone on about our woes and the evils of others. With self-consumed perception, we’ve limited our scope to what affects us, disregarding the broad care of the Almighty and His wondrous, mysterious ways in the world. If we sing at all, we get on the old-record-skip of stale refrains with trite words that neither grip nor mean anything.

Yet even the prickliest of cactuses can bloom exquisite flowers, and an open heart can learn to sing new songs. The Creator of all beauty is worthy of our melodies, and infuses them with color and robustness befitting His glory. Are we willing to be made willing to sing anew?

Would we ask God to increase our capacity for care and wonder? Would we explore the scriptures to gain new wisdom, a wider outlook, heightened expectancy, and learn to sing new songs of praise and thanksgiving? Would we commit to lofty language, to high thought and expression that reflects the glory of Christ and shines His light in this dark world?

Lord, teach my mind to so delight in You that daily my mouth is filled with new songs that exalt Your inestimable worth.

“When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua 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 and said to him, ‘What does my lord say to his servant?’  And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, ‘Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did so.” Joshua 5:13-15

“Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light… And Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.’  He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’ When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise, and have no fear.’  And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.” Matthew 17:1-2,4-8

Joshua had just begun his conquest of Canaan, and God intended to conquer his mindset and strategies first. He’d been anointed as Moses’s successor, but the Lord Himself would lead Israel’s armies, not he. When confronted, Joshua got it- his line of questioning was not germane to the Lord’s appearance and command. Peter had to be told to shush, as his verbal stream of consciousness ran full throttle. For him, chosen and taught by Jesus, there were impulses that needed restraint and discipline. Both men were earnestly ‘all in’ with their Lord, but riddled with snippets of pride, misunderstanding, and self-interest that had to be eliminated for God to fully have His way. (Deuteronomy 34:9; Joshua 1:1-9; Matthew 4:18-20)

In each case, a fall on the face, silent and listening, was the avenue to rectifying well-intended but wrong attitudes. Joshua’s attempt at discerning Israel’s defenses would be inverted, and Peter’s ‘it is good that we are here’ was actually true, but not for the reasons he thought. When God is in command, He persists to set our hearts and thinking aright. Once these men learned to know who was God and they were not, they were used in mighty ways. (Joshua 6:1-27; Acts 2:14-41)

Where has my eagerness to lead, drive, or serve run ahead of the Lord? Has any hint of thinking too highly of myself stained a clear understanding of Who’s in control and leading the charge? When I put my feet down every morning, do I claim that land as mine, or bow because it is God’s? What will I implement to listen more and speak less? (Romans 12:2-3)

LORD, remind me You have appointed my work and interactions, and You alone do I serve on holy ground . Unless You lead, build, and fight, my labor is in vain. (Psalm 127:1-2)

“In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea.” Isaiah 11:11

“Listen to me in silence, O coastlands;
    let the peoples renew their strength;
let them approach, then let them speak;
    let us together draw near for judgment.” Isaiah 41:1

“Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’” Jeremiah 31:10

The morning tiptoes in with breeze and current, awakening marine life, wild horses, and birds. Birds! Gulls sweep and swirl as a graceful strand of pearls, long-necked cranes and ibis strut and poke the marshes with searching beaks. Culls, twitters, cackles, mournful coos pepper the fresh air, hushed by an occasional close-by whisper of feathered wings in flight. Outer banks are the only barrier between here and the vast dark sea. Listening in silence exposes the life of a new day.

Coastlands define our lands, tracing the division of water and land, marking the edge of solid here and infinity there. We are drawn to coasts because we yearn for a visual savoring of the eternity in our hearts. What do we learn from the coastlands? Do we take time to listen? (Genesis 1:9-10; Job 38:8-11; Ecclesiastes 3:11)

God is God of the edges, tracing the outer reaches of our lives and experiences, fully aware and keeping watch over even those areas we would neglect, or hold back from His notice or touch. Are we prone to flirting with the coasts of our devotion, and skirt too close to slipping, or betrayal? What causes us to overstep the boundaries our merciful God has set for our good and protection, thus endangering fidelity or a whole heart? Would we identify the rebel spirit, and come clean in confession?

What if we invited the Lord to extend His hand over every life boundary? What if we endeavored to enlarge our borders into God’s greatness, wisdom, and love, and then outward in ministry? (1 Chronicles 4:10)

“My stubborn will at last hath yielded;
I would be Thine, and Thine alone;
And this the prayer my lips are bringing,
Lord, let in me Thy will be done. 

I’m tired of sin, footsore and weary,
The darksome path hath dreary grown;
But now a light has ris’n to cheer me;
I find in Thee my Star, my Sun.

Thy precious will, O conqu’ring Savior,
Doth now embrace and compass me;
All discords hushed, my peace a river,
My soul, a prisoned bird set free.

Shut in with Thee, O Lord, forever,
My wayward feet no more to roam;
What pow’r from Thee my soul can sever?
The center of God’s will my home.

Refrain:
Sweet will of God, still fold me closer,
Till I am wholly lost in Thee.” ~Leila Morris (1862-1929)

Lord of the coastlands, trace Your grace around the borders of my days. Order my will and have Your way with me, that many will enter Your kingdom, renew their strength, and bring glory to Your name.

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:

‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.'” Matthew 6:5-13

Jesus’s preface for the right kind of praying covers both Jewish and Gentile common practices that His people must not do. Each group had its own brand of pride in prayer: a penchant for impressing onlookers with their show of prayer, and a cocky repetition of flowery phrases intended to impress God with what was actually shallow prayer. Both were forbidden, both necessary to put away for genuine, humble communion with the Hallowed One to take place.

Once an attitude of ‘notice me’ is forsaken, a humble attitude of ‘notice and acknowledge Him’ can ensue. Don’t and don’t make way for do. Then the real praying begins. We don’t approach God to get His (and others’) attention, but to center our attention on Him, His place, His power. We don’t approach prayer to inform God (or those around us), but to exalt Him and declare our dependence on Him. An effective prayer life is topsy turvy from how the world thinks and the flesh naturally behaves. But then, it’s holy, other-worldly communication with One whom the heavens cannot contain. (1 Kings 8:27)

What about our prayer life needs revamping? What seeds of pride or puffery have taken root in our approach to the Almighty? What rote habits smack of self-promotion or superficiality over a hallowed hush of wonder and praise? If we come humbly, and are willing, the Lord can change what we seek. And seeking His highest and best ways will end up fulfilling every desire.

Beware expressing devotion with no love, and giving lip service to requests with no desperation. When we approach God Most High, reverently extolling Him, laying out our needs in the light of His bountiful grace, we can know He hears our requests and give good things in response. Our focus, our confidence, our hope, are in Him alone. (Matthew 7:7-8,11; 1 Corinthians 13:1)

Father, draw me to the secret place with You. Please purify the secret places within me, that I would hallow Your name, and seek Your name and will and sufficiency above any selfish passion. To You be the kingdom and power and glory forever, amen.

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

He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
    he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 121:1-8

“When he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.  And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing.’  And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.  And the men marveled, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?'” Matthew 8:23-27

Help and keeping come from the Lord, who does not slumber, yet sleeps. The omniscient One is always near, ever-watching, serene and in control, and when we stay our minds on Him, He keeps us in perfect peace. He is always vigilant, watching over us to support, strengthen, and preserve, yet He rests secure that His very providence rules wind and waves. We stumble and swoon, and sway in storms, but He reigns. (2 Chronicles 16:9a; Psalm 34:15; Isaiah 26:3)

The Lord who keeps our going out and coming in actually orders it. Sometimes He takes us right into storms of heartache, loss, or injustice, so we know Him better as guard and keeper. Sometimes He dictates hot strikes of evil to return us to His shade. If He has control in our life swamp of storms and is serene, then so can we be alongside our divine Keeper.

Am I trudging in the lowlands, aggravated or downtrodden at present discomforts and troubles, but unwilling to turn my attention skyward? What decisions, or threats, or disappointments, storm toss my peace of mind, engulfing me in worry or fear? Would I, in faith, go to Jesus who rides the storms with me, and take shelter in His protection and calm? (Deuteronomy 33:26)

“O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:

Under the shadow of your throne
your saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received its frame,
from everlasting Thou are God,
to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in your sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.

O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
be Thou our guard while life shall last,
and our eternal home!” ~Isaac Watts (1719)

Amen.

“The Lord came from Sinai
    and dawned from Seir upon us;
    he shone forth from Mount Paran;
he came from the ten thousands of holy ones,
    with flaming fire at his right hand.
Yes, he loved his people,
    all his holy ones were in his hand;
so they followed in your steps,
    receiving direction from you.” Deuteronomy 33:2-3a

“The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:25-27

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
    and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
    and his glory will be seen upon you.
And nations shall come to your light,
    and kings to the brightness of your rising.

“Lift up your eyes all around, and see;
    they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from afar,
    and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
    your heart shall thrill and exult…

“The sun shall be no more
    your light by day,
nor for brightness shall the moon
    give you light;
but the Lord will be your everlasting light,
    and your God will be your glory.
Your sun shall no more go down,
    nor your moon withdraw itself;
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
    and your days of mourning shall be ended.” Isaiah 60:1-5a,19-20

Most awaken each morning to a new day, before or after the sun cracks open the darkness. With many pressures and troubles in the world hanging their gloom all around, the glory of our celestial sun is a comforting balm. Conflict and war between nations, disruptions in commerce, threats to life and livelihood, dissension in relationships, all welcome the dissipation of shadows and promise of hope. Decisions loom where we have no direction, needs pile up where there seems no provision, antagonism and turmoil fracture homes and workplaces where reconciliation, agreement, or even compromise seems impossible. But the splendid Lord arises, and shines forth.

And come the end of the day, when weary hours have passed, and the coming of night threatens to unsettle once again, a similar glory shines, reflecting the setting sun. The loving Almighty reminds us again and again He is the light of the world at every turn, everywhere in and encompassing the world as it spins in orbit, eternally bright in the resplendence and glory of His sovereignty that knows no measure.

In uncertain days, would I seek His bright grace? In the dusk of doubt, will I welcome His shine? In shadows of soul, would I draw close to His flaming fire? The more time I spend in His light, I see light and all it illumines. Rather than poke in the grey for the world’s antidotes, as God’s child I can bask in His light, and soak in His countenance and peace. I can join the radiant throng (Psalm 36:9)

Lord, may I rise daily to Your radiant splendor, and ever thrill and exult in the glory that is You.

“Joshua commanded the officers.., ‘Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, “Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you…”’”

“And Joshua sent two men secretly as spies, saying, ‘Go, view the land, especially Jericho…'”

“Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out [and] came to the Jordan,.. and lodged there… At the end of three days the officers went through the camp  and commanded the people, ‘As soon as you see the ark of the covenant… being carried by the priests, then set out from your place and follow it…’ Then Joshua said to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.’ And Joshua said to the priests, ‘Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the people…’

“And Joshua said to the people, ‘Come and listen to the words of the Lord your God… Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive [the nations] out from before… Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan…’ 

“So when the people set out to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before [them], and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away,.. were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.” Joshua 1:10-11; 2:1; 3:1-3,5-6,9-11,14-16a,17

For any great task the Lord assigns, there is preparation to be made. There are practical instructions that must be communicated, people or provisions to be organized, and passions and shadows of the heart to be consecrated. In order to ready ourselves, we must seek the Lord and surrender to His revealed way. As a God of order, He will faithfully supply our needs and direct our steps according to His perfect will. (Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 14:33a)

Passing over from my place of competence to God’s place of promise takes courage and faith. I must be right before Him, and trust His ‘parting’ of every current of opposition, resistance, and fear. I must proceed in His strength alone, secure in His pledge, focused on His destination. (Deuteronomy 34:1-4,9; Joshua 1:1b-3)

To what new land, actual or figurative, is God calling me? What need I leave behind in order to cross from self-preservation to divine provision, from trusting in my deserts or abilities to claiming Christ’s sufficiency won for me on the cross? Only then can I take possession of the spiritual bounty that is mine in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

Father, guide my daily preparation with You, that I may fully enter Your promises and gladly participate in Your kingdom work, so all will know You are among me.

“But you, draw near,
    sons of the sorceress,
    offspring of the adulterer…
Whom are you mocking?
    Against whom do you open your mouth wide
    and stick out your tongue?
Are you not children of transgression,
    the offspring of deceit,
you who burn with lust among the oaks,
    under every green tree,
who slaughter your children in the valleys,
    under the clefts of the rocks?
Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion;..
to them you have poured out a drink offering,
    you have brought a grain offering.
    Shall I relent for these things?
On a high and lofty mountain
    you have set your bed,
    and there you went up to offer sacrifice…
You journeyed to the king with oil
    and multiplied your perfumes;
you sent your envoys far off,
    and sent down even to Sheol.
You were wearied with the length of your way,
    but you did not say, ‘It is hopeless’…

“Whom did you dread and fear,
    so that you lied,
and did not remember me,
    did not lay it to heart?
Have I not held my peace, even for a long time,
    and you do not fear me?..
When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you!
    The wind will carry them all off,
    a breath will take them away.
But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land
    and shall inherit my holy mountain…

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
    who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
‘I dwell in the high and holy place,
    and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
    and to revive the heart of the contrite…
I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
    I will lead him and restore comfort to him.'”

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,
    or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
but your iniquities have made a separation
    between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you
    so that he does not hear…

“A Redeemer will come..,
    to those who turn from transgression.” Isaiah 57:3-7,9-11,13,15,18; 59:1-2,20

Ah, what foolishness is tinkering with idols of this world! Flirting with the sorceress, the adulterer, the captivation with nature that attempts to channel and exults in its ‘high power.’ Any direction or affection or intimacy that comes between us and the Lord, any heaven that is not His dwelling place and throne, are idols. Dare we forget He alone is God! We wander, we repeat our false and empty sacrifices, we act from fear of man, thinking we will get somewhere, win some favor, earn some peace, and all for naught. Weary as we grow, we will not admit our hopelessness.

Yet the high and holy God does not weary in long-suffering and holding His peace. In loving mercy, He invites us to cross sin’s chasm to His refuge. He condescends to the contrite and lowly. If we would but turn from our idolatry, He heals, restores, and redeems lost, wasted years. (Joel 2:25)

What idols have stolen our hearts, allegiance, and devotion, and interfered with our communion with Jesus? Will we forsake them today?

Father, may I have and love no God but You. (Exodus 20:3-5a)

“‘She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

“’Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall call his name Immanuel’

(which means, God with us)….

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him…’ When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 1:21-23; 2:2,10-11

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.’ Then Abram fell on his face.” Genesis 17:1-3

“The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.’ And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.” Exodus 34:5-8

It is not in human nature to want to fall. A clumsy trip is embarrassing, painful, humiliating. But the Lord delights when we fall in worship. The difference between our horrifying trip and His desire is that one is involuntary and all about me, the other intentional and all about Him. He presents Himself in a variety of ways to magnify His holy splendor and adjust our willing, loving, awe-inspired submission as His children.

Our posture every day is determined by our view of God Almighty. If we set about our business consumed with self and agenda and do do do, we may strut upright with chin high, or forge forward in determined progress. If we take time to delve into God’s word, and kneel before him in humble prayer, reciting His attributes and thanking Him for His goodness and fresh mercies, aligning our mindset with His will, however we physically move will be fueled with a glad, surrendered heart. We will embrace everything as a privileged service unto Him, our words and actions graced with His countenance and measured wisdom. Which will it be? (Lamentations 3:22-23; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5-8; James 4:10)

What pride, or self-sufficient confidence, robs us of spiritual desire to fall before God? Would we ask Him to change our human driving to holy passion? When do we give lip service to worship, asserting swagger and control and trying to win favor with men, but never actually bow before the Almighty? What will it take to humble ourselves before the only worthy King of kings and Lord of lords? (Matthew 2:8,16; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14)

Lord, may I live my days on bended knee, ever submissive to Your righteous authority and worshiping You as You deserve.