Author: astherainandsnow

“We have thought on your steadfast love, O God,
    in the midst of your temple.
As your name, O God,
    so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth.
Your right hand is filled with righteousness…
Tell the next generation
     that this is God,
our God forever and ever.
    He will guide us forever.” Psalm 48:9-10,13-14

“From the rising of the sun to its setting,
    the name of the Lord is to be praised!” Psalm 113:3

In the temple of God’s creation, the sanctuary of firmament with ceiling of endless sky, we think on God’s steadfast love. He didn’t have to make His world so beautiful- the limitless textures, temperatures, hues of color, and all the sounds- we would never have known differently. But in infinite love He designed this world for us, so we could glimpse His glory through it, His power in it, and exercise our wills in working and experiencing all He made. (Romans 1:20)

Contemplating God’s love in His world, we see His signature imprinted everywhere on earth and proclaimed in the skies. The name that identifies Him and His eternal attributes is known and resplendent in all He has made, and its praise spreads as far as its renown. (Psalm 19:1-4)

Who can we tell? Who will we tell, of the infinite greatness of our God? To whom in the next generation can we point to both age-old structures and transient life and explain that God is God from everlasting to everlasting, and is their God forever? Let us proclaim these great truths, and praise His name! “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90:1-2)

“The love of God is greater far
than tongue or pen can ever tell;
it goes beyond the highest star,
and reaches to the lowest hell.
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled
And pardoned from his sin.

When ancient time shall pass away,
and human thrones and kingdoms fall;
when those who here refuse to pray
on rocks and hills and mountains call;
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
all measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
and were the skies of parchment made;
were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill,
and ev’ry man a scribe by trade;
to write the love of God above
would drain the ocean dry;
nor could the scroll contain the whole,
though stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
the saints’ and angels’ song.” ~Frederick M. Lehman (1868-1953)

Lord, tune my voice with the angels’ to sing unending praise. From the rising of the sun to its setting, and to every generation I can, may my life- every thought, action, and word- proclaim that You are God.

“Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
    sing the glory of his name;
    give to him glorious praise!
Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds!
    So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
All the earth worships you
    and sings praises to you;
    they sing praises to your name.’

Come and see what God has done:
    he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.
He turned the sea into dry land;
    they passed through the river on foot.
There did we rejoice in him,
    who rules by his might forever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations—

Bless our God, O peoples;
    let the sound of his praise be heard,
who has kept our soul among the living
    and has not let our feet slip.
For you, O God, have tested us;
    you have tried us as silver is tried.
You brought us into the net;
    you laid a crushing burden on our backs;
you let men ride over our heads;
    we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance…

Come and hear, all you who fear God,
    and I will tell what he has done for my soul.
I cried to him with my mouth,
    and high praise was on my tongue.
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened.
But truly God has listened;
    he has attended to the voice of my prayer.

Blessed be God,
    because he has not rejected my prayer
    or removed his steadfast love from me!” Psalm 66:1-7a,8-12,16-20

Where is the place of rejoicing? Where God has done great things. Awesome are His deeds, great is His power. Heaven and earth sing His praises, as He controls them for His purpose and glory. He rules by might forever over peoples and nations and history. He guards our souls safely in salvation, blessing with fellowship and protecting from evil. He brings us into troubles, walks with us through fire and water, and delivers us from want and need into abundance. He is a God who redeems. He has saved our souls and kept them well. He hears our confession and forgives our sins. Blessed be His name!

Cairn: A mound of stones erected as a memorial or marker. Each cairn on a path was erected to remind of a specific time, or accomplishment, or place of rest, each a prompt to remember the Guide who led us there. There, where He met us in darkness; there, when He answered specific prayer; there, when He came palpably in our grief and carried us mysteriously on invisible wings; there, when we intimately knew Him as our closest friend and confidante; there did we rejoice.

And now here, along life’s journey and every steep incline, may we stop often to rejoice. Come and see what He has done for my soul! Here, where He daily greets me with mercy and steadfast love; here, where He makes the improbable way; here, where He keeps my feet from slipping; here, where He opens places of abundance and opportunity; here may I rejoice.

Lord, may I ever join heaven and earth in praising You, and blessing Your name for the great things You have done. In every moment, may I rejoice. (Psalm 103:1-8)

“By wisdom a house is built,
    and by understanding it is established;
by knowledge the rooms are filled
    with all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3-4

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” Romans 11:33

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight… In the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 1:3-8;2:7

A house established in divine wisdom is filled with spiritual treasure, its rooms awash with light to showcase the lovely graces and pleasant knowledge there. So are individuals rooted and grounded in Christ. The source is always Jesus, the Creator and Giver of every good and perfect gift, and we bear the responsibility of building on His foundation and filling our rooms with the rich and every and immeasurable spiritual blessings He bestows. Established in Him, our lives become bright, welcoming structures for many and all to taste and see those blessings. (James 1:17)

It is as impossible to fathom “every” spiritual blessing as it is to grasp being known from eternity past, predestined to become His child, and that Jesus came to make us holy and blameless to the praise of His glory. But these all are true, and real, and sure for us from the moment we were adopted to be His children and into eternity. Have we taken inventory of our deep and heavenly riches?

Are we hungering after the wisdom and knowledge of God, seeking and savoring it as treasure for our souls? Do we apply it to guard our integrity, supply discretion, direct our paths, and clarify right choices when tempted? (Proverbs 2:1-15)

Is the gift of full forgiveness making a daily difference in our response to the Spirit’s personal conviction? Do we hide sin away, excuse it, ignore its offense, or bring it deliberately to the cross that sets us free? And do we value the forgiveness extended to us enough that it transforms how we see and treat others- their bad choices, their hurtful actions against us? (John 8:32; Ephesians 4:32)

Are we secure in the steadfast love of the Beloved, believing no one can snatch us from His hand? And whom do we envelop in that love that is patient and kind, not jealous or self-seeking or remembering wrongs? Are we expectant for God’s redeeming of ugly and impossible situations, trusting with sure hope that He will complete the good work of redemption He has begun? (John 10:28-29; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Philippians 1:6; 1 John 4:19)

Innumerable, unfathomable riches are ours forever and to enjoy. Are we living as paupers, or taking full advantage?

Good Father, my Benefactor, help me seize, treasure, and utilize Your bountiful and gracious riches, by faith, and for Your glory.

“For you have rejected your people,
    the house of Jacob,
because they are full of things from the east
    and of fortune-tellers like the Philistines,
    and they strike hands with the children of foreigners.
Their land is filled with silver and gold,
    and there is no end to their treasures;
their land is filled with horses,
    and there is no end to their chariots.
 Their land is filled with idols;
    they bow down to the work of their hands,
    to what their own fingers have made.
So man is humbled,
    and each one is brought low—
    do not forgive them!
Enter into the rock
    and hide in the dust
from before the terror of the Lord,
    and from the splendor of his majesty.
The haughty looks of man shall be brought low,
    and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled,
and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

For the LORD of hosts has a day
    against all that is proud and lofty,
    against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low;
against all the cedars of Lebanon,
    lofty and lifted up;
    and against all the oaks of Bashan;
against all the lofty mountains,
    and against all the uplifted hills;
against every high tower,
    and against every fortified wall;
 against all the ships of Tarshish,
    and against all the beautiful craft.
And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled,
    and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low,
    and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
And the idols shall utterly pass away.” Isaiah 2:6-18

If the LORD alone will be exalted in that day, why do we not exalt Him alone today?

Ah, the things we exalt and craft into our gods! The pedestals we erect, the shrines before which we bow! An object, a commendation of approval, a wink or tease, an ideal of what we wish would be but is not. Maybe it is an individual we love or admire or compete with or resent- any can morph our heart affection into idolatry. There is much we accumulate- material, experience, or credential- that we hold too high but will one day topple before our Lord.

Consider collected trinkets, savored predictions, unholy alliances, and unstable securities. What notoriety do we relish, or accomplishment do we trust? One day, the Lord will surely humble us. His terror will swallow our fear of man, and His splendor bring every thought and deed to light. His radiance will expose our depravity, His perfection our supposed greatness. He who reigns far above the heavens and condescends to save us will bring us to our knees, to account, and to wonder and praise. (Psalm 113:4; Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ephesians 4:10; Philippians 2:6-8)

Would we learn the Isaiah secret today! Would we gaze at Him who is high and lifted up, our King of kings and Great High Priest who intercedes for our foolish pride! Would He reorient our vision, touch us with holy fire, cleanse us of pomp and swagger, and transform our every affection! (Isaiah 6:1-8; Revelation 17:14; 19:16)

Lord of lords, train me to exalt You in every thought, every effort, every endeavor, every day. I offer You all I hold dear so I can offer You the rightful, exclusive, supreme worship You merit.

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted…

“‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
    nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and chastises every son whom he receives…’

“For [earthly fathers] disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive… for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:1-3,6,10-14

Life is a long race, God our trainer, and holiness (and heaven) our goal. Without good physical, mental, and spiritual posture, we are hindered from running it well. Between the cloud of witnesses (who have completed the race) to encourage us at the start, and the finish line that yields the fruit and crown of righteousness, our heavenly coach tends to us personally for our good. His instruction, His example, and His tools are useful and effective in accomplishing His purposes.

The first thing He says is, ‘let go.’ Let loose of everything that weighs us down, excesses and charms that slow us by distraction, confusion, or insecurity. Next, shake off the sin habits, with their attending guilt, shame, regret, and anger, that catch us in their sticky web. Now set our eyes on Jesus, our perfect role model who set His eyes (with joy) on the finish line of our salvation. Once unencumbered, and adjusted to winning posture, strive and endure. Remember Him who endured to the end, without indulging temptation to detour or quit, especially when feeling faint.

Along life’s route, our Trainer disciplines us, checking our wayward affections and side-trails to worldly enticements. He proves sufficient in our weakness, graciously heals and redeems our injuries through consequence, and steers us to spiritual health. When we bow in humility, He lifts our faces aright. (2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 5:6)

What possessions, expectations, and practices am I unwilling to release in order to run with freedom? Am I clinging to old props of empty security? Unrealistic fantasies? Stubborn pride that I can do this myself, my way, in my strength? Do I value the temporal glamor of worldly success more than the eternal glory of a heavenly crown? (2 Corinthians 4:17-18; 2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Alongside whom do I train? What instigation, or weariness, pushes me to flag in holy resolve? What in my disposition or stance needs straightening and setting aright? (Proverbs 27:17; Hebrews 10:23-25)

Author and Perfecter of faith, keep me keeping on and on Your path, in right posture with You as my Guide and glorious Goal.

“In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
    let me never be put to shame!
In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
    incline your ear to me, and save me!
Be to me a rock of refuge,
    to which I may continually come;..
    for you are my rock and my fortress.

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
    from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
For you, O Lord, are my hope,
    my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;
    you are he who took me from my mother’s womb.
My praise is continually of you.

I have been as a portent to many,
    but you are my strong refuge.
My mouth is filled with your praise,
    and with your glory all the day…

O God, be not far from me;
    O my God, make haste to help me!
May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
    with scorn and disgrace may they be covered
    who seek my hurt.
But I will hope continually
    and will praise you yet more and more.
My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
    of your deeds of salvation all the day,
    for their number is past my knowledge.
With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come;
    I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.

O God, from my youth you have taught me,
    and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
So even to old age and gray hairs,
    O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
    your power to all those to come.
Your righteousness, O God,
    reaches the high heavens.
You who have done great things,
    O God, who is like you?
You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
    will revive me again…
You will increase my greatness
    and comfort me again.

I will also praise you with the harp
    for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre,
    O Holy One…
My lips will shout for joy,
    when I sing praises to you;
    my soul also, which you have redeemed.
And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long.” Psalm 71:1-8,12-24a

The continuals of mighty God, and our experience and interaction with Him, expand our vision, secure our hope, and inspire our praise. Continually come to the rock. Continually praise. Continually hope. Give glory all the day. Praise yet more and more. From before my birth, from my youth, and I still, all the day long, to old age and gray hairs, to another generation, again, and again.

Our God is measureless, limitless, an immovable rock, and we can come to Him again and again in every season of need. He hears our cries, and He delivers. He knows our suffering, and He rescues. From wickedness, injustice, cruelty, accusation, hurt, and calamity, He saves us into hope, trust, praise, revival, comfort, and joy. There is none like Him!

What cares have we that He cannot hold, what fears over which He cannot triumph? What troubles will we bring for Him to solve, what harm for Him to heal? (Psalm 55:22; Matthew 11:28; John 16:33; 1 Peter 5:7)

O my God, keep me continually close, and continually proclaiming Your wondrous deeds of might, salvation, and faithfulness. You alone are worthy of vibrant, ongoing trust, hope, and praise.

“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

“For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach… To the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” Titus 1:10-11,15b-16

Paul’s aim, and charge, was that everyone possible hear the life-changing gospel, and he had strong words for those who denied its gracious invitation and power. It was one thing to be unable to discern spiritual things because of a hard heart. But to resist them altogether through willful stubbornness and sin, or to profess to know Christ and deny Him and His transforming power in practice, was detestable. (1 Corinthians 2:2-5; 1 Timothy 4:1-5)

Today we put up with soft faith and deficient standards. We tolerate inordinate affections, greed under the moniker of ‘right,’ and man-twisted biblical mandates to coalesce with personal preferences, however unrighteous. We fill our minds with man-speak, our barns with transient treasure, our hours with empty entertainment and endeavor. We excuse meaningless pursuits by checked-off lists and increased ‘likes’ to our accounts. We espouse a low view of God because we neglect, or have forgotten, His highness, and we justify constant flirting with many companions who think even lower by claiming to be an example. But how deep goes our faith, and how lush is its fruit?

Paul is serious about the responsibilities of Christians to live out our profession, and calls conceit and superficiality to account. So is Jesus, who condemns puffed up talk that has no matching walk. And so should we be. Where do we stand condemned because of our denial of Christ and His power, either by initial belief, or by selfish living? He who saved us is able to make all grace abound to us for genuine good deeds He’s prepared for us to do. (Mark 7:6-15; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 2:10)

How willing are we to avoid those who consistently dishonor our Lord, or would steal away godly desire? Are we willing to denounce unholy action? Do we regularly match our profession with Christ-like living? We deny the power of the cross every time we succumb to temptation and wallow in the spiritual lowlands. (Titus 2:11-13)

Father, grant me discernment, and give me the mind and heart of Christ for all I meet. Please use my understanding and communication of Your truth to attract those now denying its life-giving grace, and set them free. (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5)

“The righteous shall be glad;
    they shall exult before God;
    they shall be jubilant with joy!

Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
    lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;
his name is the Lord;
    exult before him!
Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
    is God in his holy habitation.
God settles the solitary in a home;
    he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
    but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

O God, when you went out before your people,
    when you marched through the wilderness,
the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,
    before God, the One of Sinai,
    before God, the God of Israel.
Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;
    you restored your inheritance as it languished;
your flock found a dwelling in it;
    in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy…

O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
    sing praises to the Lord,
to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
    behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
Ascribe power to God,
    whose majesty is over Israel,
    and whose power is in the skies.
Awesome is God from his sanctuary;
    the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!” Psalm 68:3-10,32-35

Our God is everywhere, very present and active. Underneath, overhead, and all around. He rides the deserts of our wandering, our wildernesses barren of hope and love, the whirlwinds of disruption, and the skies filled with stormclouds. He, above all, is watching, guiding, keeping. There is no place we wander, in mind or body, no place we try to flee, that our Lord is not there. (Numbers 3:14; Job 38:1; Psalm 46:1-3; 121:1-8; 139:7-12)

“There is none like God, O Jeshurun,
    who rides through the heavens to your help,
    through the skies in his majesty.” Deuteronomy 33:26

When others contend against us, He rides to bring aid, giving courage, words, resilience. In arid seasons of the heart, he rides with fresh rain, showering spiritual encouragement that soaks deep, refreshing the soul and reviving hope. In whirlwinds of world-dust that irritates our sight, He rides to bring relief, cleansing our eyes and restoring holy vision. In storms of pelting vitriol and anger that buffet with might and drench our vitality, He rides to shield the spirit, to comfort, and heal heart hurt. In the malaise of languishing, when we are spent and depleted, He rides to bring rest. This is the God of whom we sing, this is the God we exult.

Do we sense and trust Him as Father and Protector? Has He settled our anxious minds? Are we listening for Him to make the way before us as we march through confusion, not knowing otherwise where to go? Do we then follow His lead?

Do we drink in the rain He spills for us, and see new growth sprout? Do we soak in the love He showers, and revive with fresh confidence? Do we gratefully receive and implement the power and strength He gives to face daily foes of temptation, fear, shame, or argument? Are we looking up, and gathering all our cares and needs and joys in His sanctuary, and giving Him praise? (Romans 5:5)

My awesome Lord, who rides all through my life, may I ever be jubilant with joy and bless Your great name as You deserve.

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ… Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall…

“I… remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder… And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:3-8,10,12-13,19

When Jesus effectually calls us and delivers us from sin’s corruption, we begin our salvation by being granted all things pertaining to life and godliness, and our end is God’s glory and excellence. In the mean time, we live presently in the precious and very great promises of Christ, partaking of and being established in the divine nature He imparts. He has granted faith by His grace, and that faith grows through our days as we supplement it with practiced virtue, increasing knowledge, disciplined self-control, strengthening steadfastness, deeper godliness, more genuine brotherly affection, and more Christ-like love. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Are we thriving in our spiritual lives? If not, why not? Effectiveness and fruitfulness in God’s kingdom are the result of diligence in all these areas. Whose Spirit-inspired reminders are we ignoring, or dismissing? How involved are we in mutual stirring up, the stoking of holy fire among brothers and sisters in Christ? In what areas have we given in to sloth and ease? Why do we settle for mediocre, rote communion when we serve a personal and majestic King? Have we become complacent in prayer, stuck in a rut in our study of God’s word, ambivalent about deep Christian fellowship that is iron sharpening iron? (Proverbs 27:17; Romans 12:6-13; Hebrews 10:24-25)

What promises of God are we disbelieving? His strength perfected in our weakness? His peace in our anxiety? His mercy and help in time of need? His wisdom when we have none? The grantor indwells us with His Spirit and has guaranteed His goods, yet we fail to appropriate them as our own. What laziness, busyness, fear, or distraction is holding us back? (2 Corinthians 9:8; 12:9-10; Ephesians 1:13-14; Philippians 4:6-7; Hebrews 4:14-16; James 1:5-8)

We do well to pay attention to what we have been granted, and to do everything we can to nurture it in ourselves and others.

Lord, may I flourish in all You have entrusted to me, to the praise of Your beauty and glory.

“False prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words…

“Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme… But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed… Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray…

“These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. They entice… those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: ‘The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.’” 2 Peter 2:1-3,12-15,17-22

Woe the sin that so easily entangles! While we prefer to assign this description of false prophets to others- those heinous, evil, undisciplined rebels with whom we want nothing to do- we cannot get beyond slaves of corruption without looking at ourselves. When we are willing to probe within, we recognize the insidious tendencies of our hearts to ‘return to Egypt.’ (Exodus 16:3; Hebrews 12:1)

We blame temper on its triggers, gluttony on addiction, indulgence on deprivation, and greed on desert. We confess ‘shortcomings’ with no true repentance, and excuse behavior as if we have a right to mistreat others and get our way. And all the while we have been, even if subconsciously, overcome by what enslaves us. Once shackled, we either don’t recognize our chains, or prefer to deny them. Overcome is overcome, rendering us incapable of escape apart from the freeing grace of God Almighty. (John 8:32,36)

To what false voices are we listening? What idols in our hearts need toppling? What irrational assumptions, deceptions, or insatiable appetites have we allowed to run wild and trip up our reason and right way? Do we need a step back to properly analyze false promises of freedom, and to re-steady our souls on reality?

Lord, overcome me in every part, and every way. Inextricably bind me to You alone. In the joyful freedom that is my salvation, may I see clearly with Your eyes, and love with Your love, so others can also be free.