Author: astherainandsnow

“Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
    the God of glory thunders,
    the Lord, over many waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is full of majesty...

In his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
    the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
May the Lord give strength to his people!
    May the Lord bless his people with peace!” Psalm 29:1-4,9-11

“After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10

Enthroned. Sovereign, bearing regal and perfect authority, in supreme control. Over the waters, over the flood. Watching, ordering volume and direction and force. Source and end. Unflappable, all powerful, the Lord sits vigilant and victorious above and upholding His own. Worship His strength and splendor!

Many are the waters in life, and varied their flow. We pant through dry spells, barely a trickle of inspiration, energy, hope. Strength diminishes, relationships dim, passion wanes. We choke in storms, overcome by rushing disappointments, hurt, regret. Fear overwhelms, perspective muddies, peace topples.

Yet there is One above the water, over the flood, whose voice is majestic and peace is sure. We must listen, look up, focus on His glory over the trouble and torrent. He fashions every drop. He displays holy purpose in the thunder. He proves His love and keeping. Do we trust Him enough to ascribe to Him worth and rest in His word?

What drought has spread its arid malaise at work, at home, in spiritual life? What thawing obstacles cause new interruptions or dread? What relentless pressing stresses, unanswered questions, relational difficulties threaten to drown us? Look to the Lord who is over the waters! Sing His might and majesty! Rejoice that He is King! Choose strength, rest secure in His peace! He rules and blesses forever!

“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in God’s excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.” ~R. Keen (1787)

Almighty Father, in every flood, keep me trusting and praising Your strength and glory.

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains [judge] the one who eats… It is before his own master that he stands or falls…

“One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord,.. while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord. None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord… 

“Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God…

“Each of us will give an account of himself to God.

“Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother… If your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died… Let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

“Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.”

“Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 14:1-3a,4b-8,10-13,15,20; 15:7

At first glance, Paul seems to be deciphering food and religious celebration practices with shoulds and dos and don’ts. But his real intent is to expose selfish indulgence, impure motives, and haughty judgment on weaker believers, and to redirect the church’s allegiance to a higher Master. Days and food and drink matter nothing compared to God who is worthy of honor. Their end in all things should be to build up the Body and exalt Christ. (Romans 15:1-3)

Every ‘not’ we impose, every disregard of another’s convictions, reveals whom we honor. Honor self, personal preference and fetishes, and we dishonor God, His word, and people. To mock and castigate people for following conscience or acting in ignorance is to serve my own appetites by criticizing theirs. When first priority and passion is to honor the Lord who surrendered His all for us, our choices show respect, grace, and compassion for others. (Psalm 1:1-2; Matthew 7:1-3; Romans 16:17-18)

Concerning those things we’re free in Christ to enjoy, will we extend grace to those who take issue with us, or those we dismiss because their issues are their problem? How willing are we to forego judgment, or pleasure, for their sake? Any new mindset begins with taking on God’s. Whose liberty does He care about more- mine to do as I please, or that of one struggling to discern, or enjoy his freedom? Do I care more about exercising my rights, or honoring God by surrendering them for another? All decisions must be filtered through the mercy of Calvary. (Romans 12:10)

Lord, help me honor You by welcoming and loving others well.

“I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.  For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.  They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.  To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.” Romans 9:1-5

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’—” Galatians 3:13

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7

Paul was raised as a Jew among Jews. Educated, trained, zealous, an exemplary religious Hebrew in every way, except he did not know Christ Jesus. Once His Savior broke through, his life was bound up in Christ, the gospel his passion. He wanted to be like Jesus. He lived and breathed and was willing to suffer and die that others would know the same Redeemer who saved him. Paul desired to give his all for the sake of the One who had given His. He loved that much. (Philippians 3:3-11)

The power of a life is measured by the cost of the life willing to be given. When we see Jesus, we see LOVE spelled out in daily and ultimate sacrifice. When we recognize who we were- sinners, enemies, accursed- and that the Lord Jesus gave His life to win us unto forgiveness and eternal freedom, we begin to understand the depth and width and length of His love for us. Humbled and overcome, we can receive His love sprinkled onto our brokenness and pouring into our hearts. And that love is intended to flow to others. (Ephesians 2:1-7; 3:14-19; Colossians 1:21-22)

How honest are we about our depravity apart from Christ? Have we acknowledged that left to our flesh, we are horrific spiritual rebels, estranged from God, who follow the prince of darkness? Can we testify to being enemies made friends by Christ’s blood? If so, how will we behave with His love now in our hearts?

Are we quicker to condemn those blind to truth, strangers and enemies to the ways of God, or to feel compassion for their lost estate and pray that their eyes be opened? How will we daily fill up with Christ’s Spirit of love? To whom will we spread it today? (Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:18)

Father, in gratitude for so great my salvation, may I exhibit and extend Your love so others might be Your friend also. (Hebrews 2:1-3)

“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb… 

“She turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?.. Mary.’ She turned and said..,’Rabboni!’.. 

“On the evening.., the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ He showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you… Receive the Holy Spirit.’

“Now Thomas… said, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark.., and my hand into his side, I will never believe.’

“Eight days later,.. Thomas was with the [disciples]. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!..’

“These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:1,14-16,19-22,24-28,31

The last the disciples knew was that Jesus had been crucified and sealed in a tomb. Stunned, saddened, they wrestled to understand the shock of these harrowing days. In asking Mary whom she was seeking at the empty tomb, Jesus invited her to know her Friend as much more than He’d been: the risen Savior who would impart resurrection power. To the fearful disciples His shocking presence brought otherworldly peace that would abide with them by His Spirit, security for this life and the next. For doubting Thomas His scars brought the personal proof needed to nurture his nascent faith. Jesus was alive, and appeared as promise of His changed but ongoing presence and lasting fruit.

Jesus appears personally and lovingly to meet our greatest needs. His presence is real, potent, whether or not we recognize its form or manner. In despair, doubt, or dearth, Jesus intrudes with renewed life and stokes faith. He vitally meets the downcast and lifts us above and out of each.

What causes our heads and hearts to hang? In what situations do we doubt the Lord’s goodness, His care, His power? Where have we questioned whether He is even near and knowing? Would we ask the mighty God to make Himself clear, and that His presence in the living word will transform our outlook? What despair needs His calming assurance that He knows what is best and walks the vale with us? What fears need His serene invasion and promise of an everlasting Comforter? What doubts will we bring to His pierced hands and riven side for plunging beneath His love-blood unto solid belief? (Psalm 90:1-2; Isaiah 50:4; Lamentations 3:22-23; John 14:16; 21:4-22)

Jesus’s aliveness today is present help and life-giving. In Him we can live and move and have being in great fullness. Would we welcome His glorious presence to dispel darkness today? (Acts 17:28; Revelation 21:3-7)

Lord, help me gratefully walk and grow in the power of Your very present life, to Your praise..

“I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
    and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
    and you have healed me.
O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
    you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
    and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment,
    and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.

As for me, I said in my prosperity,
    ‘I shall never be moved.’
By your favor, O Lord,
    you made my mountain stand strong…

 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
    you have loosed my sackcloth
    and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
    O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.” Psalm 30:1-7a,11-12

David’s mention of being drawn up is a vivid picture of the help of God. Surrounded by foes, consumed with depression and fear, nagged by seen and unseen battles all around, he proclaims that God has drawn him up. Up out of doubt to certainty, up out of anguish to the place of healing, up out of brokenness to restoration, up out of despair to hope. His response is praise, his acknowledgment that with weeping in the dark is the promise of joy in the morning. All these troubles are temporary when taken up to the Lord God who hears and helps.

Drawn up, we’re able to sense closeness to the God of heaven. Drawn up, we make distance between ourselves and worldly pressures and troubles. Drawn up, we gain broader perspective on the harsh and hustle of daily life. Drawn up, we catch fresh breath of holy air. The place of need and sorrow is real, but from above we can shed the sackcloth and begin to sing.

Are we disturbed by foes and negative speak? What problems snarl and keep us awake? What cares trip up our feet and keep us unsteady? What news glooms our hearts and sets us fretting? Seeking the Lord’s favor and claiming His help, we can stand strong. (Psalm 112:6-8; Philippians 4:6-8)

“I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Tho’ some may dwell where these abound,
My pray’r, my aim is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height,
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till Heav’n I’ve found,
Lord, lead me on to higher ground.

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land;
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” ~Johnson Oatman, Jr. (1898)

Father, draw me up in deeper faith and higher joy, to Your honor and praise.

“Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.”

“For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
    and I walk in your faithfulness.

I do not sit with men of falsehood,
    nor do I consort with hypocrites.
I hate the assembly of evildoers,
    and I will not sit with the wicked.

I wash my hands in innocence
    and go around your altar, O Lord,
proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,
    and telling all your wondrous deeds.

O Lord, I love the habitation of your house
    and the place where your glory dwells…

But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
    redeem me, and be gracious to me.
My foot stands on level ground;
    in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.” Psalm 1:1-4; 26:3-8,11-12

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20

The psalmists, themselves penning inspired words from God, highlight the supremacy of God’s word as the rule for life. A rhythm of fruitfulness is set by walking in faithfulness, the assembly of His people around His altar is the company of praise. Posture and place, including the company kept, matter.

Man was made to stand on two feet and to walk and work productively. Many are the warnings in Scripture against idleness. One can amble among sinners, busybodies, and hypocrites, and slouch sedentarily with scoffers, gossips, and complainers, or walk in step with the Spirit in wisdom and integrity. To walk Christ’s cadence along His paths is always the better choice. (Genesis 2:7-9,15; Galatians 5:16-17; 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13; 1 Timothy 5:13)

What is our spiritual posture? Are we complacent to sit and consort with scoffers and evildoers, or do we stand and serve courageously with the righteous? If we do not keep attuned and active in the word, we naturally settle into comfy malaise, sloth, and the contagion of corruption of idleness. What practices will we implement to get in stride with God’s word, and pursue fruitfulness?

“Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict,
in this His glorious day.
Ye that are brave now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger,
and strength to strength oppose.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in His strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor,
each piece put on with prayer;
where duty calls or danger,
be never wanting there.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the strife will not be long;
this day the noise of battle,
the next the victor’s song.
To him who over-cometh
a crown of life shall be;
they with the King of Glory
shall reign eternally.” ~George Duffield (1858)

Lord, make me bold to stand and walk with You.

“Now Moses… led his flock… and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet not consumed.  Moses said, ‘I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.’ When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’  Then he said, ‘Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’ And he said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

“Then the Lord said, ‘I have surely seen the affliction of my people in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings,  and I have come down to deliver them… and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land flowing with milk and honey… Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people… out of Egypt.’  But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?’ He said, ‘But I will be with you…’

“Then Moses said to God, ‘If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they, “What is his name?” what shall I say to them?’  God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: “I am has sent me to you.”’ Exodus 3:1-8,10-14

Moses was confounded by the entrance of God into his mundane routine. The Lord waited to see his first inquiring move, then spoke. Though eager to interact, Moses was reticent to accept God’s command because he was consumed with unknowns, inadequacies, and fear. God’s answer to every reluctance and doubt was, ‘I am.’ Who was Moses? A murderer. But God, He calls and redeems. Who was Moses? A reluctant stutterer. But the Lord, He gives purpose and enables. (Exodus 2:11-12; 4:10-13)

Sometimes we get stuck in ‘I am who I am, weak and unable.’ But God retorts with, ‘I am who I am, sufficient and mighty. I have bigger plans for you that you can’t conceive. I’m sending you on a new errand. I will be with you. Start to live in Me, not you.’ What grandeur the Lord opens wide we can fail to enter because we’re afraid to step forward in faith.

How and in what areas are we self-consumed? With ambitions, belongings, busyness, family? The past, regrets, shame, unfulfilled dreams? We might constantly measure ourselves against others and come up short on looks, energy, popularity, success. Anything that takes precedence over the burning bush, that causes resistance to removing our sandals rather than embracing a new call from God, will impede spiritual progress.

What inadequacies and insecurities occupy our attention? How can we think not less of ourselves, but of ourselves less, and more of God? The greater He is in us, the more we can effect for His kingdom. (John 3:30)

Less of me, more of Thee, to Your glory, Lord.

“All the people said to Samuel, ‘Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.’  And Samuel said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.  And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver…  For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.  Moreover, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and right way.  Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.'” 1 Samuel 12:19-25

The Israelites had rejected God’s lordship by insisting on a king as the surrounding nations had. They’d been warned, and now that they had their way, they were warned again. The prophet Samuel repeatedly reminded them who God was, what He’d done for them, and to serve Him only. Their fickle faith had invited consequences, yet would not negate God’s faithfulness. (1 Samuel 8:4-20; 12:14-18)

And so it goes with us. The Lord is constant in love and care, and we flit about following fleeting wants and pleasures. He stands stable as benevolent Sovereign and we idolize lesser, transient gods. He is upright, holy, and wholly other, and we choose to be like others of the world. Willfully disregarding consequent mayhem, we are driven by selfishness until we’re beggars for mercy.

Our Lord abounds in mercy. Again and again He calls. He convicts. He comes to offer forgiveness and a renewed heart. His Spirit brings to mind His words and sparks fresh faith. And He constantly prays for us. (Ezekiel 36:26; Zechariah 1:3; Luke 22:32; John 14:26; 17:11-17)

What causes our grace-bought hearts to stray? Where have we exchanged God’s loving lordship for the tyranny of performance or attempted perfection? What good things have we elevated to ultimate things? When will we bring our stubbornness, idols, pride, to the cross? When will we ask Jesus to apply His mercy and free us to serve Him faithfully with all our heart? (Hebrews 4:15-16)

“What love could remember no wrongs we have done 
Omniscient, all knowing, He counts not their sum 
Thrown into a sea without bottom or shore 
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

What patience would wait as we constantly roam 
What Father, so tender, is calling us home 
He welcomes the weakest, the vilest, the poor 
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

What riches of kindness He lavished on us 
His blood was the payment, His life was the cost 
We stood ‘neath a debt we could never afford 
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

Praise the Lord, His mercy is more 
Stronger than darkness, new every morn 
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more” ~ Matt Boswell, Matt Papa (2020)

Lord, help me live vitally in Your mercy, to Your praise.

“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
    let me not be put to shame…

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all the day long.

Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,
    for they have been from of old.
Remember not… my transgressions;
    according to your steadfast love remember me,.. O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
    and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
    for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

For your name’s sake, O Lord,
    pardon my guilt, for it is great.
Who is the man who fears the Lord?
    Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose…
The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,
    and he makes known to them his covenant.
My eyes are ever toward the Lord…

Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
    Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
    for I wait for you.” Psalm 25:1-2a,4-12,14-15,20-21

David lifts his soul to the Lord, his source, hope, and help. He wants for much and spells that out: no shame for his life, clarity on God’s path and way, His truth and teaching and guarding of soul and integrity. For all these he earnestly yearns, and is patient- for God’s answers he is content to wait. Waiting for answers, he has learned, is waiting on his Lord. The longer he waits, the more he meditates and communes, all to enriching a deeper trust relationship.

In the flesh, we are very good at wanting, but not so much with waiting. The Lord works in and through our longings and needs and asking to conform us to His image. He knows what He is doing, though we think we know better. According to us, our paths should be instantly clear and we should be able to work and do according to our timetable, no obstacles. According to Him, time elapsed between prayer and fulfillment works to convict of sin, humble us, teach us to fear Him and to deepen our friendship. We demand the immediate and temporal, He is interested in the lasting and eternal.

What is it that we want most? Are plans and accomplishments more important than to know Christ better? How much do we value purity, patience, the ability to hear His voice and sense His Spirit’s nudging? What kind of progress matters most? Reading through David’s psalm as a personal prayer helps us to lift our souls and sights to the One who hears, knows, and is always working to sanctify. We can trust His designs and timing.

“Before I move
Before I speak
Perfect wisdom I will seek
And I will wait
As long as it takes
I will wait on the Lord.” ~Twila Paris (1990)

Lord, help me love and keep Your word as I want and wait, and with lifted soul, lift You high. (Psalm 27:14)

“Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God… 

“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation…

“For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many… If, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1-2,8-11,15,17

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” “If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:11,31-32

Paul never ceased to be amazed at the riches he’d received by grace from his Savior. As his fluid writing illustrates, he could go on and on about all Jesus had done and continued to do for Him. His life aim was to declare the whole gospel, not only unto salvation but to produce a thriving, fruitful life in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3-12)

We might be grateful for Jesus’s death for our sins, and rightly so. Yet that is not all that should fill our marveling hearts. The Lord intends we delight in and take advantage of the ‘much more’ His death produced. If it is true we’ve been justified, the door has been opened to a wealth of visible and invisible riches. Salvation, peace, access by faith into grace, full reconciliation, union with Christ in resurrection reality and power. Life, and all things.

Can we help but be captivated by and responsive to His eternal riches and promises? The Holy Spirit pouring love into arid hearts. multiplied purposefulness. Victory over pesky besetting sins. Peace that passes all understanding and guards our hearts and minds from fear and anxiety. Eternal security, abounding hope. His Spirit’s comfort, counsel, advocacy, and deposit for future inheritance. Joy, patience, self-control. (Luke 6:38; John 14:16,26; Romans 5:5; 15:13; 2 Corinthians 1:20-22; Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 4:6-7)

How do our lives demonstrate the much more of salvation? Would others describe us with nouns or verbs when describing our faith? What love, what encouragement, what beauty, vitality, forgiveness, service, or generosity flow from our lives to exhibit the ‘more than we can imagine’ of Jesus? How will we tap into the riches of salvation in new, vibrant fruitfulness? (Philippians 3:20-21)

Lord, may I flourish in and with Your bounty, to Your constant praise.