Author: astherainandsnow

“Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold,
and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.
Egypt was glad when they departed,
for dread of them had fallen upon it.

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

So he brought his people out with joy,
his chosen ones with singing.
And he gave them the lands of the nations,
and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples’ toil,
that they might keep his statutes
and observe his laws.
Praise the Lord!” Psalm 105:37-45

“He made water flow for them from the rock;
    he split the rock and the water gushed out.” Isaiah 48:21b

God’s deliverance is a sparkling theme that flows through scripture into the advent of Jesus, and culminates in the promise of His return. The Lord opened Abraham’s heart to faith in His call. Generations later He opened Egypt’s doors for Israel to depart, and with great plunder. He opened the rock for Moses to give water to assuage their thirst in the desert. Every opening was a picture of His rent side on the cross, making a way for His people to believe, come out of sin’s captivity, and enter eternal life and satisfaction. (Genesis 12:1-4; Exodus 14:21-29; 17:6; John 4:13-14; Revelation 22:12)

The opening of our Rock Jesus is the way of deliverance yet today. He covers, protects, and provides, always our light, always remembering His promises and watching over us in love. Our Savior was struck, crucified, and speared to let flow water and blood, and His rent side still offers deliverance from the sin that presently entangles us with all its attending maladies- fear, anxiety, bitterness, pride, greed. (1 Samuel 2:2; John 19:33-34)

He with the riven side beckons us to open ourselves to Him for cleansing and transformation. In what particular areas are we rock hard? Are our heels dug in, always insisting we are right, or rightly excused? Have we lost the warmth of unselfish love toward family members, or do we refuse to love enemies? Where have we calloused to Scripture’s commands, or allowed sin to take root, creep, and poison? (Matthew 5:43-44; Hebrews 10:22; 12:15)

“Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 
let me hide myself in thee; 
let the water and the blood, 
from thy wounded side which flowed, 
be of sin the double cure; 
save from wrath and make me pure.

Nothing in my hand I bring, 
simply to the cross I cling; 
naked, come to thee for dress; 
helpless, look to thee for grace; 
foul, I to the fountain fly; 
wash me, Savior, or I die.” ~Augustus Toplady (1776)

Lord, crack the rock in me that resists Your touch and rebels against Your ways. Apply Your living water and cause it to flow anew in and through me, so I sing and praise You forever.

“O you who hear prayer,
    to you shall all flesh come.
When iniquities prevail against me,
    you atone for our transgressions.
Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,
    to dwell in your courts!
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
    the holiness of your temple!

By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,
    O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
    and of the farthest seas;
the one who by his strength established the mountains,
    being girded with might;
who stills the roaring of the seas,
    the roaring of their waves,
    the tumult of the peoples,
so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.
You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.

You visit the earth and water it;
    you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water;
    you provide their grain,
    for so you have prepared it.
You water its furrows abundantly,
    settling its ridges,
softening it with showers,
    and blessing its growth.
You crown the year with your bounty;
    your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.
The pastures of the wilderness overflow,
    the hills gird themselves with joy,
the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
    the valleys deck themselves with grain,
    they shout and sing together for joy.” Psalm 65:2-13

“Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'” John 4:13-14

The problem with ‘getting no satisfaction’ is that we look for it in all the wrong places. We get agitated when people connections do not get us ahead as we’d hoped, when a raise isn’t enough to quench our thirst for the next better thing, when the dream home or job turns into a nightmare of maintenance or pressure. We think a life partner, a shiny new item, or a unique experience will finally put to bed our longing, and hunger hibernates temporarily, but never for long.

Jesus told the woman that she was looking for the wrong kind of water. Hers was a soul thirst, yet trapped in horizontal living, she failed to recognize it as such. True satisfaction is found only in Jesus, and swells as we exalt and rejoice in Him. He is our soul’s abiding glory, joy, and crown. He is our hope and sure foundation and unchanging companion. He alone gives deep soul rest, and quenches our deepest longing to be understood, and cherished, and loved.(Matthew 11:28-30)

When we try lesser things to placate our passions, we will be disappointed. Will we set aside empty affections, meaningless activity, wasted calories and minutes we thoughtlessly expend, and come as flesh to God’s holy temple? Would we draw close to know Him, to wonder at His vast and mighty deeds? Would we drink long enough in His presence that we are sated and ready for each day, to offer others His wellspring of life?

Lord, satisfy me in the morning with your steadfast love, that I may rejoice and be glad all my days. (Psalm 90:14)

“Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness 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 it was not consumed. And 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.'” Exodus 3:1-5

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

A place of new calling. A life transition. A fresh beginning. Anointing for leadership. The point of embarking on new territory, taking a new assignment, preparing to conquer. Each is a pivotal moment and place with God, holy ground where He meets with us to undo any dependence on ourselves, any tie to self-interest, and any prejudice about what’s ahead.

Our God calls us to consecration. He knows and meets us as we are- unmasked, honest, free from device, pretense, and manipulation. He delights in confessed sin that He forgives, and broken and contrite hearts that He restores. (Exodus 19:10-11; Psalm 32:5; 51:1-10,17)

The Lord uses those who come unadorned, unfettered to old ways, ingrained habits, and stubborn mindsets. He disdains rebels who shrug Him off, who think themselves holy, too important for Him. He invites our “Here I am” in acknowledgement of His holiness and surrender to His sovereign authority. (Isaiah 65:2,5)

When we approach empty-handed, barefooted, clean and willing, He can fill us with His Spirit, our hands with divine bounty, our mouths with life-giving truth. He will direct our steps in the way we should go, bless our gifts and effort, and empower our will and courage to proceed. (Psalm 32:8; 81:10; Proverbs 3:5-7)

Are there crossroads in my life where I insist on my own way? Where am I unwilling to change, or redirect my endeavors when He calls me to do so? To what patterns and securities am I clinging, and where might He intend to reorient or retrain me?

Lord, may I remove my sandals of self-sufficiency to worship daily at Your footstool, rejoice in all You are, and get in step with Your program, all to the praise of Your glory. (Psalm 132:7-9)

“If some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.” Romans 11:17-24

‘Remember who you were, and from where you came,’ Paul reminds the Gentiles, lest they forget their inclusion in Christ is all of Him, and grow pompous. Their ingrafting, their spiritual nourishment, and their identity in the Vine leave no room for pride, and room only for reverent fear and gratitude.

Once we are in Christ, it’s not healthy to dwell on our past, or detail former sins in a way that makes much of or exaggerates them. As new creatures, we are to live fully immersed in the new life Jesus grants. But any time we inch toward smug self-righteousness, or any inkling of desert of God’s favor, we must remember we were wild shoots, grafted into Christ by grace alone, through God-given faith alone. We own no superiority over those who do not believe, and are His through no personal effort. Remembering our wildness, our foreignness, our not-belonging, always magnifies God’s incredible grace and glory in salvation. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:8-9)

Though we were formerly wild rebels and enemies, the Spirit has regenerated our souls and ingrafted us to Christ the Vine. He infuses living sap into our veins and calls us presently to bear fruit, much and lasting fruit. As we abide in Him, our fruit adorns the Vine and His renown. It feeds hungry souls looking for significance and hope in this dark world. It displays the wonders of His mercies toward His children. It furthers and spreads wide His love and kindness. (John 15:4-8,16; Romans 5:8-10; Ephesians 2:1-6)

When and how did I last recount God’s sternness and kindness and overwhelming grace to me? Do I make daily choices according to my former wild nature, or dependent on God’s cultivation of my new nature? Where am I bearing spiritual fruit to bring attention to His power and love?

Father, ever tame and purify my heart. Let me never forget, and always marvel at, Your awesome grace to me. May I cling to You, my Vine, and bear the bountiful fruit of grace toward others so You receive the glory forever. (Romans 11:36)

“Samuel said to all the house of Israel, ‘If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.’ So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the Lord only.

“Then Samuel said, ‘Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.’ So they gathered and drew water and poured it out before the Lord and fasted on that day and said there, ‘We have sinned against the Lord…’ Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when [they] heard of it, they were afraid… And the people of Israel said to Samuel, ‘Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines…’ And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car.

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, ‘Till now the Lord has helped us.'” 1 Samuel 7:3-8,9b-12

“God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth… You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17

Over and over through their history, Israel made poor choices and got into trouble, and the LORD of Israel helped them. His nature is holy, compassionate, and merciful. He always hovered, and again and again came to their aid when they repented. Samuel thoughtfully, intentionally set up a stone to memorialize the Lord’s great deliverance, to remind His people that it was not their strength or smarts that routed the enemy, but He alone. (Deuteronomy 33:26-29; Psalm 20:7; 103:4,8)

We must remember that our resolve will weaken, our strength will fail, our wits left to themselves are foolishness, our might is naught compared with Almighty God’s. Our first stone of help is acknowledging our addiction to idolatry and desperation before Jesus. He hears our cries and delights to answer. Throughout our days we remain needy, and erect other stones along the way of repentance, worship, dependence, the pledge of obedience, thankfulness, and victory. (2 Chronicles 20:12; Proverbs 16:1,9; Romans 5:6-8; 1 Corinthians 3:18-20)

Where in my life are significant signposts to the gracious work of God’s Spirit- His capture of my heart, conviction of sin, repair of broken relationships, gifts of insight or appropriate words? What stones mark significant pivoting? In what temptation has He given freedom, depression- hope, confusion- clarity, or self-will- surrender? Where am I recording, who am I telling, how am I recalling, my Ebenezers?

Father, may I faithfully remember and gratefully mark Your daily and very present help to me, that Your mercies be known and Your name praised. (Matthew 5:16)

“If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
    O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
    that you may be feared.” Psalm 130:3-4

“Who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.” Malachi 3:2-3a

“He who handles the bow shall not stand,
    and he who is swift of foot shall not save himself,
    nor shall he who rides the horse save his life.” Amos 2:15

“Who can stand before his indignation?
    Who can endure the heat of his anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire,
    and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.” Nahum 1:6

“When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?'” Revelation 6:12-17

Under the weight of our sin, and before God’s judgment, none can stand. Before His holiness, we are all crippled, bowed down- guilty, vile, and helpless. Every deed is polluted, every pulse unclean, every effort tainted and self-serving. Yet Jesus broke through to atone for our pitiful state, the spotless Lamb for marred sheep gone astray. He alone makes the sin-disabled to stand erect and walk. (Psalm 14:2-3; Isaiah 64:5-7; Jeremiah 17:9)

It is vital that we recognize our impossible posture before Christ Jesus, our marred stature that is unable to approach apart from His astounding grace. He alone handles the refiner’s fire, and the judgments we deserve fell on Him at Calvary. Only in His atoning blood is our forgiveness, only when we are clad in Christ’s righteousness can we stand before Him, and victoriously withstand the onslaught of the enemy in this life. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10; 1 Peter 3:18)

“Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:13

Do we rely on self-effort to propel us into daily activities, or humbly trust the Lord’s guidance and help? When troubles or doubts threaten and blow, our only true stability is in the Lord, our confidence to stand unshaken is in His sovereign mercy. Would we boldly approach and courageously stand? (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Lord, help me stand firm in awe of You, and boldly withstand the devil in Your victory and grace.

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

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

Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.” Psalm 2:1-6,10-11

There are many earthly kings, and one Heavenly King, and the psalmist takes a heavenly perspective on both. The contrast in description is vivid. The earthly attitude is almost humorous, if it were not so prevalent and stubbornly held. On our human plane, kings and leaders confer and gather, strutting their (limited) power and (temporal) authority as though they actually were sovereign, and think they can shake off any higher power or influence. Their positions may be high here below, but God’s throne is higher, and He rules supreme.

Any time we have authority, or are in a position of decision-making or influence over people and processes, we are still under the King of kings. Whenever we are called to lead, or put ourselves in a place to manage others who would serve our bidding, we are still under the Lord of lords. Any such role comes from God alone. He has entrusted to us dominion over His earth, and we are accountable to Him alone for how we exercise that stewardship. (Genesis 1:26; Psalm 8:4-6; 1 Timothy 6:15-16; Revelation 17:14; 19:16)

For us to be wise, we must be warned. Rather than connive and attempt to manipulate, to maneuver ourselves to better advantage or a more important title, we would do best as ‘kings of our world’ to worship the One who reigns over all. It is on our knees before Him, in fear, dependence, and rejoicing, that we learn best how to handle wisely and graciously any authority He has conferred on us.

“Worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness; the nourishment of mind with His truth; the purifying of imagination by His Beauty; the opening of the heart to His love; the surrender of will to His purpose – and all of this gathered up in adoration, the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable and therefore the chief remedy for that self-centeredness which is our original sin.” ~William Temple (1939)

Whether we rage and live in vain, or serve the Lord reverently and joyfully, is determined by the height of our view of God, and the depth of our submission to His Lordship. Where do I stand? When do I kneel? And how fully do I bow?

“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17)

“Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles… But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,  ‘Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.’ And… they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

“Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, ‘We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.’ They were greatly perplexed… Someone came and told them, ‘Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people…’

“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them, ‘We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching…’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him…’

“When they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.” Acts 5:12a,17-25,27-32,40-42

The activities and wonders of the early apostles wondrously displayed the Lord’s supernatural power, but God compelled them to speak for Him with words of life as well. And boldly speak they did.

Neither unjust imprisonment fueled by jealousy, nor government charge not to teach about Jesus, nor cruel beating, could keep them from talking about their Savior. They counted it an honor to proclaim what He had done to forgive sinners, and a privilege to suffer for it. Are we so compelled? (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

How passionate am I to tell all the words of this Life, eternal abundant life bound up in Christ that includes prison and marvelous deliverance, chaos and opposition and unfettered joy? What opportunities will I seize to do so? In discussions and chatter, are my words full of me and my deeds, or my Savior and His life-giving accomplishments? (1 Samuel 25:29; John 10:10)

Lord, infuse me with You. May I be a bold and faithful ambassador for You and all the words of Life everywhere, every day. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

“The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard: ‘Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it—the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. For thus says the Lord,.. concerning the houses of this city and the houses of the kings of Judah that were torn down to make a defense against the siege mounds and against the sword: They are coming in to fight against the Chaldeans and to fill them with the dead bodies of men whom I shall strike down in my anger and my wrath, for I have hidden my face from this city because of all their evil. Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first. I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it.

“Thus says the Lord: In this place,.. in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man or inhabitant or beast, there shall be heard again the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord.” Jeremiah 33:1-11

There’s something about this first verse that grips and squeezes the heart. While Jeremiah was still shut up in the court of the guard for speaking truth in obedience to his call, in the very place of restraint and loneliness and suffering, the Lord addressed him personally with an invitation to commune and hope. He would reveal secrets, restore, and rebuild, all promises that bring light to the darkest places. (Jeremiah 32:1-3)

God’s word comes with assurance into our doubt, pledges renewal in our depletion, and hope in our despair. Jeremiah had seen devastation in his beloved Jerusalem, and God proclaimed it would be a name of joy, a praise and a glory. Only His Word offers such substance from ruin, backed by God who will certainly bring it to pass. (Psalm 18:30)

The Living Word, Jesus Christ, came to free us from captivity to sin, announcing victory. When we are hemmed in by grief, pain, and fear, His promises are a palpable comfort. His vibrant message of hope and light penetrates our every dark place, beckoning us to lift our heads and cling to His promises. (Psalm 3:3; 139:5; John 1:1-4)

Are we ‘shut up’ in body, circumstance, or mindset, in need of healing, gladness, or song? Would we cry out to God who has great and hidden things in store, if not for this life, the next?

Lord, help me always take You at Your word, with thankfulness and expectancy.

“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
    I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
    I will sing praise to your name, O Most High...

For you have maintained my just cause;
    you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment…

The Lord sits enthroned forever;
    he has established his throne for justice,
and he judges the world with righteousness;
    he judges the peoples with uprightness.

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
    a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you,
    for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion!
    Tell among the peoples his deeds!
For he who avenges blood is mindful of them;
    he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

Be gracious to me, O Lord!..
   that I may recount all your praises,
that in the gates of the daughter of Zion
    I may rejoice in your salvation.” Psalm 9:1-2,4,7-13a,14

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
    make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
    tell of all his wondrous works!..
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
    his miracles, and the judgments he uttered…
He remembers his covenant forever,
    the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations.” Psalm 105:1-2,5,8

Nature, nations, history- all are in God’s hands to hold and manage with might, omnipotence, and perfect knowledge. Justice, personal guidance, protection, consolation, and blessing- all are His to create and disseminate in love and grace, with wisdom and at His bidding. Were we to count His amazing deeds, we could not approach the sum of them! (Psalm 104:1-24; John 21:25)

But like the psalmist, we can count, and recount, God’s wonders to His praise. Each work is distinct, each attribute adds to His multi-faceted beauty, each deed reflects His glory, and every one we voice lifts high His renown in our hearts and for a world desperate for Him. How will we begin to count? And how often repeat the refrain?

Use the alphabet in prayer of attributes: ‘You are awesome, beautiful, compassionate, divine, excellent, faithful, gracious, holy, immutable, just, kind, loving, merciful, near, omnipresent, pure’… Count, and recount!

Use the alphabet in praise of His deeds: ‘You atoned for my sins, bless bountifully, create from nothing, do all things well, energize the flagging, and forgive all my sins… Count, and recount!

Recite a psalm… Count, and recount! (Psalm 103)

List and tell of God’s faithfulness and lovingkindness through a chronological history of your own life, the years of a child, marriage, or family, education, career, moves… Count, and recount!

Go deeper in ongoing communion throughout your hours: I am awake; I breathe; my mind thinks; He’s given senses to take in the colors of sunrise and painted canoes, the softness of cotton, the sounds of birds, music that moves the soul to tears; rapturous delight at birds wing across the sky; a mouth that sings…. Count, and recount!

Lord on high, may I continually meditate on, marvel, and sing of Your wonderful deeds. May my recounting bring joy to those who hear, and glory to Your majestic name. (Psalm 104:30-34)