Author: astherainandsnow

“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do…

“’I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world… For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me… While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them… I have given them your word… I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them.'” John 16:1-4,6,8,12,14,26

Jesus, in His seemingly young and short life, persisted in every particular of the work He had been sent to do. He was timely, measured, and focused, and knew as His earthly ministry drew to a close that He was right on schedule. Being continually about His Father’s business, He wearied Himself with long days, but never tired of doing the work. Intent on God’s will, He was never frustrated or over-burdened, but in fact knew He had glorified Him in carrying out His assignment. (Mark 6:31-32; Luke 5:16; John 4:6)

As we close a year, it is wise to look back and consider how we have handled the time God has given. Over the months, have we worked His work or our own? Are there things undone that we can tend to this day? Are there missed opportunities that weigh heavy, but that we need to confess, leave with Him, and leave behind?

Looking ahead, what new vistas for His glory might the Lord have in store? What would it take for us to be able to rest each night knowing we have accomplished the work God had for us to do that day? If every morning we committed every hour to Him in prayer, that we might manifest Him and His truth, He would direct and ordain our steps. If our intent is to glorify Him with the authority He has entrusted to us, and honor His name above and in spite of our own, His Spirit will guide our decisions. He will honor an earnest desire to guard His causes, His people, and His work, for His glory. (Psalm 32:8)

How wholeheartedly am I working the Lord’s work? Do I grow weary in doing good, or of doing good? When God calls me to a certain task, where does my focus- on my audience, my motive, or my desire- need adjusting, so that I am doing all as unto Him? (Galatians 6:9-10; Ephesians 6:7-8; Colossians 3:23)

Lord, may my work be wholehearted and complete in every way, so that the world may know that You sent me, and love them. (John 17:23)

“Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign…  And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.  He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper…

“God helped him against the Philistines and the Arabians and the Meunites. The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread.., for he became very strong. Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem… and fortified them. He built towers in the wilderness and cut out many cisterns, for he had large herds,.. and he had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil. Moreover, Uzziah had an army of soldiers, fit for war… In Jerusalem he made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. And his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong.

“But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar. Azariah the priest went in after him, with eighty priests of the Lord who were men of valor, and they withstood King Uzziah and said, ‘It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests… Go out of the sanctuary, for you have done wrong, and it will bring you no honor from the Lord God.’ Then Uzziah was angry.” 2 Chronicles 26:3-5,7-10a,11,15-19a

The Lord is generous and gracious in favor to His children. At an early age, king Uzziah sought Him, following his father’s example. With God’s help, he prospered with his military and bolstered his defenses, skills, and reputation. His fame spread throughout the region but began to seep its stain on his heart. It’s hard to know what exactly made him turn- a famous victory? An accolade or tribute? The ease of prosperity? A sense of having arrived, or being indispensable, or singularly important? Maybe it was a slow growing belief that he had done this himself.

His heart was not whole. The constant drip of success brought a trickle of pride that, unstopped, made its insidious way in and saturated his instincts and reason. He dabbled in what he had no right to touch, and his thickening callouses refused God-sent correction.

The Lord has His eye on mankind and our individual hearts. He delights to help, but will not share His glory. He recognizes the slow spread of pride, and goes after us in mercy and love. He longs to set us free from encroaching self-sufficiency so we are free indeed to keep Him first. (Isaiah 42:8; Zechariah 9:1b; John 2:24-25; 8:34,36)

Have I crept into that hideous and dangerous place of thinking too highly of myself, or that I own those things over which I am merely a steward? Where am I ignoring God’s warnings, His kind checks of conscience? Would I regularly practice gratitude, and state my insufficiency before His all-sufficiency? (Romans 12:3)

Lord, may I remember daily that every success is yours. May I trust wholly in Your help, and give You praise for every goodness from Your hand. May others always see and say that You have done it. (Psalm 22:30-31)

“And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.  And he went and 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,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
    and they shall reign on the earth.’

“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 5:6-14

“And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.” Revelation 8:3-4

This mysterious and glorious picture of the throne of the Lamb shines forth in a unison of praise. Elders, living creatures and myriads of angels surround the Worthy One, with new and ongoing songs of honor and blessing to the divine and majestic Regent. Bowls full of prayers- the hopes and fears and longings and praises of numerable saints through the ages- are offered at the altar. Their pleasing aroma satisfies the One who satisfied our redemption and satisfies the human heart and personality. He who sits on the throne victorious is rightful owner of honor and power.

Filling moments with praise gives days of vision and joy. Yielding to Christ’s rightful place in and over us enriches the meaning of every pursuit.

Would we approach the throne? Would we set aside the sideways glance at differences to gaze at the Holy One, slain for us and all our pettiness, and lift high His might and worth? Would we bring a new song of gratitude and trust, awakened insight and fresh praises for all He is and has done? Would we join the worship of thousands times ten thousands in exalting the only true King of kings and Lord of lords? (Revelation 19:16)

Lord, may I boldly set aside lesser occupations to worship You as the only Sovereign, whose honor and eternal dominion are worthy of my praise, and life. (1 Timothy 5:15-16)

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered…  And Joseph went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'” Luke 2:1,4-14

When asked a favorite thing that made Christmas special, a friend said, “I awaken every day so thankful for Jesus, and His grace and gift of salvation, that He would come for me… that I celebrate Christmas every day.” In other words, everything about Jesus makes Christmas not only Christmas, but special, and daily. Journeying to Bethlehem, bowing over the Christ child, standing in awe at the heavenly hosts, marveling at their shout of Glory, hushing at the Savior’s peace, all keep Christmas in our hearts. When we contemplate Christ-mas, mas from the Latin missa– ‘dismissal,’ we celebrate Christ’s giving of Himself for us and sending us out to be His body in the world. Indeed, Christmas every day!

Christmas is pregnant with wonder and joy, yet Jesus came for so much more than His earthly birth. We marvel at Christmas every day when we see God in the manger of daily doldrums; the Carpenter calling fishermen and discipling a chosen few, including our ordinary selves; the Divine touching and healing untouchables and our hurts, and with those same hands washing His disciples’ feet and our heinous hearts; Jesus praying for His own, and in Gethsemane agony, and over us; and the Savior of the world giving up His spirit on a cross for sinners across time. He lives in and for us, pours out eternal life, and is coming again. Christ is worthy of every day merry. Lift high our voice! (Matthew 4:18-22; 26:36-42; Mark 1:40-45; John 13:4-5; 14:16-18; 17:6-18; 19:28-30; Romans 8:27,34; Revelation 22:20)

How can we celebrate Christmas anew? With what fresh wonder will we walk the road to Bethlehem, hover at the manger, or stand in reverent fear in the God-lit fields? With what new melody will we praise the Highest, and how with that same voice spread His peace in our homes and circles of influence?

Lord Jesus, instill in me the wonder and joy of Your coming and giving, and be exalted in Christmas glory every day.

“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha… So the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was… Then Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’

“Jesus said to [Martha], ‘Your brother will rise again… I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world…’ Jesus wept. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’

“Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb… [and] said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha said, ‘Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.’ Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone…. He cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.’ The man who had died came out… Many of the Jews therefore believed in him.” John 11:1,3-6,14-15,17,21,23,25-27,35-36,38-41,43-45

This is a love story between Jesus and His friends, us included. As is true with much of life, intense love means intense pain, and sadness. But from the start, Jesus saw (and procured) the glory in it. He saw the lessons, He saw the important picture they needed in their minds to prepare them for what was ahead. So in His love, He stayed, and waited. That’s what He does with and for His friends. (John 15:15)

Jesus had His disciples wait so they observed His serenity in a larger purpose. He stayed to give everyone time to contemplate deeper things, to agonize over Lazarus’s death and to long for life, restoration, and heaven. He allowed suffering that identifies us with Him as we share in His succor. He allowed time to relinquish the ability to do anything, to cast themselves helpless on Him, to turn their eyes from the present situation to the Lord, from whom comes all help. Salvation’s meaning shines and faith flourishes as they rise from death and decay. (Psalm 121:1-2; Philippians 3:10-11)

What is our undefinable place of pain and waiting and uncertain future? Our current urgency? Our present grief? Do we believe Jesus is interceding for us and actively working? He hears our spoken and unspoken, and orders the clock and circumstances as long as it takes to set up and unfold His glory. Will we trust His timing and mysterious ways, knowing He loves us to death, and back? (Romans 8:28,34)

“He comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found.” ~Isaac Watts (1719)

Lord, teach me learn the lessons You teach while I long for Your coming. May I see and promote Your glory in every circumstance.

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
    Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
    righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
    and the war horse from Jerusalem;
and the battle bow shall be cut off,
    and he shall speak peace to the nations;
his rule shall be from sea to sea,
    and from the River to the ends of the earth.
As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you,
    I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.
Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope;
    today I declare that I will restore to you double…

Then the Lord will appear over them,
    and his arrow will go forth like lightning;
the Lord God will sound the trumpet
    and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south.
The Lord of hosts will protect them…

On that day the Lord their God will save them,
    as the flock of his people;
for like the jewels of a crown
    they shall shine on his land.
For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!” Zechariah 9:9-12,14-15a,16-17a

Rejoice! Shout aloud! Behold the coming Christmas King and be glad! He comes bearing gifts to His children that are ours to enjoy now and forever!

See Him? He is humble, and comes not in pomp and tinsel and loud festivities, but in the quiet- slowly and humble, gaze-able, with loving eyes on our level. What flurry of do-lists and frenzy block Him from sight? What urgent tasks stress and distract as though more important?

And see what He brings, right into our busyness and mess? Righteousness. Salvation. PEACE. Because of His atoning blood we are free from all that binds and worries and weighs on us. Free indeed! He is the covenant- keeping King, regent over every circumstance and detail and concern. He comes with the key to release us from imprisonment to bitterness, discord, and lies. He fills our waterless places with springs of living water. He replaces our angst with hope of restoration, of becoming all He made us to be. (John 7:38; 8:36)

See Him appearing in the whirlwind? He’s right here with us in our suffering, gentle, calm, controlled, strong. He marches forth into our uncertainties. He protects His own in every new snip of dissension, sting of criticism, and pull of temptation.

See His beauty in the grace He extends, the love and saving He pours out over His wandering sheep? Feel His delight, hear His song, relish the grace and affection of His sanctifying hand? (Zephaniah 3:17)

What rearranging need we do in our minds and schedules to behold our Savior? What can we turn off, put aside, or say no to in order to see Jesus? He is coming, and He is nigh. If we would look, we will not be able to stifle the glad praising shout. Our King appears, and rules, and abides. His resplendent beauty should bear in our praises and on our every expression.

My King, keep me beholding You with a still heart, and rejoicing with a full one. May I ever proclaim and shine Your beauties and peace in all my world.

“And the word of the Lord came to me:  ‘Take from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon, and go the same day to the house of Josiah, the son of Zephaniah. Take from them silver and gold, and make a crown, and set it on the head of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. And say to him, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord. It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.’” And the crown shall be in the temple of the Lord.” Zechariah 6:9,11-14a

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Branches come from trunks come from roots, bearing their sap and strength as they reach skyward, growing stable enough to hold weight yet always stretching higher. Temples are sanctuaries of worship, yet in God’s divine ordinance, also the seat of His government. These apparent dichotomies are exquisitely unified in the Person of Jesus, our royal King and Great High Priest. (Hebrews 4:14-16; Revelation 17:14; 19:16)

Only this Ruler, only in God’s kingdom, reigns and mediates the Perfect One, uniting both roles in peaceful counsel to His own. The grace of peace. The peace of reconciliation between sinner and Savior, between men and men. Indeed, the supernatural union of God and man in the incarnated Christ is a picture of reconciliation in itself: humanly impossible, yet gloriously and irrefutably manifested. (1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:5)

What bearing does Christ’s counsel of peace have in us? Into what cavity of angst, what barrenness of love, what nest of dread or dissension need we welcome His coming? What control need we relinquish in order to prepare room and rein for Him who arrives bearing royal honor?

And how can I multiply grace and peace to others in His name? (2 Peter 1:2-4)

“Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King:
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!’
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic hosts proclaim,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’

Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin’s womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King'” ~Charles Wesley (1739)

Lord, hone in me Your divine nature, that Your counsel of peace become mine. Compel me to bring grace and peace and joy to others in Your name. (2 Peter 1:2-4)

“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
    let the many coastlands be glad!” Psalm 97:1

“The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!
    He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!” Psalm 99:1

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.’ And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying,

“’We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
    who is and who was,
for you have taken your great power
    and begun to reign.
 The nations raged,
    but your wrath came,
    and the time for the dead to be judged,
and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints,
    and those who fear your name,
    both small and great,
and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.’

“Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.” Revelation 11:15-19

Nations rage, factions fight, and God reigns. He has reigned from the beginning, over His plan of salvation from first to last, from the fall to Christ’s birth and death and resurrection to the here and now, and will forevermore. When we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we rejoice that He was and is and will be King yesterday, today, and forever. (Genesis 3:14-15; Isaiah 7:14; Hebrews 13:8)

Our Savior has reigned from the beginning of time. He knew us before we were conceived, formed our personalities and particular gifting, and has never taken His eye off of us. So what about my past can I not accept? Where do I still chafe with what has happened, or not happened, when I know that the Lord reigns in perfect love and fulfills all His plans for me? (Genesis 1:1; Job 36:7; Psalm 139:1-6,13-15; Jeremiah 29:11; John 1:1-2)

Jesus reigns over the whole earth today, ordering times and authorities, places and nations. So in the daily mess of life, and the wreck of broken relationships and bodies and cities and governments, what is it we think His hand does not rule? We may feel out of control, yet why do we doubt His control? Do we behave as though we believe He is working all together for good for His own? (Exodus 15:18; Acts 17:26; Romans 8:28-34)

And Jesus reigns forever. Hallelujah! What fears, unknowns, and insecurities will we today tuck under the irrefutable, glorious promise that He will one day reconcile and restore all things? (Revelation 21:1-7,22-27; 22:12-13,20-21)

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
let ev’ry heart prepare him room
and heav’n and nature sing…

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
repeat the sounding joy…

He rules the world with truth and grace
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love.” ~Isaac Watts (1719)

Eternal God, may I rest and rejoice in Your forever reign today and always.

“Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
    shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
    O daughter of Jerusalem!
 The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;
    he has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
    you shall never again fear evil.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
‘Fear not, O Zion;
    let not your hands grow weak.
The Lord your God is in your midst,
    a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
    he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival,
    so that you will no longer suffer reproach.
Behold, at that time I will deal
    with all your oppressors.
And I will save the lame
    and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
    and renown in all the earth.
At that time I will bring you in,
    at the time when I gather you together;
for I will make you renowned and praised
    among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
    before your eyes,’ says the Lord.” Zephaniah 3:14-20

Cares of this world pull to divide our hearts, but as God’s children, we are to have whole ones. The presence and promises of God are enough to fill them to the brim with gladness and joy, keeping no room for anxiousness or dread. When we rejoice and exult with all our hearts, there is no qualifying ‘but’ or ‘if only’ to pepper our praises or straggle behind.

It takes intent to have a whole heart for God, involving both what we believe and how we behave in response. When we accept that the Lord has forgiven our sin, removed the enemies of shame and fear, and that we bear no condemnation or judgment, we will trust wholly His great salvation. When we believe in Christ’s personal, pursuing love, we will rest in His presence and His delight over us. When we believe His promises are true, and for restoration and redemption, we will wholeheartedly trust He works in our hardships for ultimate good. (Psalm 103:11-13; Romans 8:1,28)

What if we banked on growth, encouragement, and God’s glory coming through hardship? What if, instead of complaint, we wholly believed God’s word and turned it to praise?

“O for a heart to praise my God,
a heart from sin set free;
a heart that’s sprinkled with the blood
so freely shed for me:

A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
my great Redeemer’s throne;
where only Christ is heard to speak,
where Jesus reigns alone:

A humble, lowly, contrite heart,
believing, true, and clean,
which neither life nor death can part
from him that dwells within:

A heart in every thought renewed,
and full of love divine;
perfect and right and pure and good —
a copy, Lord, of thine.

Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart,
come quickly from above;
write thy new name upon my heart,
thy new best name of Love.” ~Charles Wesley (1742)

Father God, please give me an undivided heart to rejoice in You always. In everything may I never abandon You as my first and supreme love. (Psalm 86:11; Revelation 2:4)

“I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever;
    with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations…

“Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,
    your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD?
    Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD,
a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones,
    and awesome above all who are around him?
O LORD God of hosts,
    who is mighty as you are, O LORD,
    with your faithfulness all around you?
You rule the raging of the sea;
    when its waves rise, you still them…
The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours;
    the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.
The north and the south, you have created them;
    Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.
You have a mighty arm;
    strong is your hand, high your right hand.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
    steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
    who walk, O LORD, in the light of your face,
who exult in your name all the day
    and in your righteousness are exalted.
For you are the glory of their strength;
    by your favor our horn is exalted.
For our shield belongs to the Lord,
    our king to the Holy One of Israel.” Psalm 89:1,5-9,11-18

When we consider the great covenant LORD, His faithfulness abounds, and is all around what we observe in His creation and deeds. It is the hallmark and watermark of His world. We see, we marvel, we begin to sing and cannot stop. Where might this song of faithfulness reach?

We see His order, how do we implement such? We are held in His love, will we extend it? Secure in His constant keeping, do we rest peacefully in it? Beholding His power and might, will we fight the enemy with Him, and stand firm? Confident in His rule, do we submit to it? We observe the foundation His word has established, do we remain unshaken by shifting sands of culture? Beholding His light, do we walk in it? (Psalm 119:105)

“Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father.
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not.
As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow;
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hath provided.
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!” ~Thomas O. Chisolm (1923)

God’s faithfulness is ever with us as our Rock. It extends to the heavens, envelops our hearts and minds, and never fails. By it we have peace, hope, and joy for each day. (Psalm 36:5; 89:24-26,33; Lamentations 3:22-24)

Father, in light of your faithfulness to me, fix firm my faithfulness to You. May I be unshaken in trust and unceasing in praise, for You are worthy of both, forever.