Author: astherainandsnow

“Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth!…
Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary...

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
    let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy…

The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
    let the many coastlands be glad!..

The heavens proclaim his righteousness...

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
    the world and those who dwell in it!
Let the rivers clap their hands;
    let the hills sing for joy together
 before the Lord…

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!” Psalm 96:1,6,11-12; 97:1,6; 98:7-9; 100:1

Jeweled stars, heralded by a brighter arc of moon, dot the black backdrop of space with storytelling shapes, lauding their Maker with heavenly song. Shapeless light slowly lifts, dispels the night, invisibly imperceptibly raising dawn over spinning earth. Music of spheres and sky. Water shivers in the cold morning as trees chatter their teeth in the breeze. Singing praise. A scatter of birds floats in scoops and waves speckling palest blue, their staccato chirps punctuating the still early. More singing. Deep purple blossoms, and red, are sprinkled in lushest, wispy, varied-shaped green leaves. Harmony. Grey breakers sworl and foam at water’s edge on grainy sand strewn with heaven-shaped and -painted shells. Rivers rush pushing against edges, smoothing rocks as they sing over them with joyful current. More music.

Will we join the song?

A symphony of praise from heaven and earth swells and resounds for the Worthy One, Maker of morning, Designer of all, Architect of creation, Author and Perfector of faith, Overseer of souls.

“Joyful, joyful, we adore You,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before You,
Op’ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!”

Are we singing? Do the glory and love of God not soften bitter pebbles and melt stubborn stances in our hearts? Do His indescribable beauty and limitless grace not move us to wonder and praise?

“All Your works with joy surround You,
Earth and heav’n reflect Your rays,
Stars and angels sing around You,
Center of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
Praising You eternally!”

Does the beauty of His earth and creatures not swell our senses and pluck our soul-strings? How can we not join in their heavenly chorus?

“Mortals, join the mighty chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
God’s own love is reigning o’er us,
Joining people hand in hand.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life.” ~Henry Van Dyke (1907)

As mortals all, image-bearers, highest of creation, would we be swept up by our Savior’s coming into loudest songs of highest praise?

“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.” ~Isaac Watts (1719)

Lord, fill my heart and loosen my tongue to join the glad song of heaven and nature, rejoicing in You!

“Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions, having a very great retinue and camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered all her questions. There was nothing hidden from Solomon that he could not explain to her. And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, and their clothing, his cupbearers, and their clothing, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her.

“And she said to the king, ‘The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, half the greatness of your wisdom was not told me; you surpass the report that I heard…’

“Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. There were no spices such as those that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon…And King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked besides what she had brought to the king. So she turned and went back to her own land.” 2 Chronicles 9:1-6, 9,12

The bright pagan Queen took considerable effort to journey from Arabia to Jerusalem to meet King Solomon. Hearing about his retinue would not suffice- this willful regent must discover him for herself. Laden with pomp and costly gifts, she arrived and opened her arms to lavish the king, but she received far more taking in his wisdom and kingdom splendor. She was overwhelmed to the point of breathlessness.

Every time we approach our Lord, we are in for a supernatural treat- a glimpse of His loveliness, a taste of His grace, a filling of His insight and power- if we come with prepared room. A heart prepared to adore, and to receive His divine infusion of love. A heart emptied of self, decreased of me, that He may increase there. A heart cleansed of guilt, prepared for restoration and building anew. We open wide the door, He enters and makes an unforgettable difference in our motivation and our doing. (John 3:30)

How do we prepare for the Lord in our days, our minds, our hearts? What need we rid of to make room for Him? When we come to our King, the magnificent Savior, and bring sins to redeem and weakness for restoration, we receive back more than we could ask or imagine. When we offer our best interest and attention, we will be left breathless, overcome with His graciousness and glory, and respond with emotion and love. (Psalm 51:10; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 3:20; James 4:8)

“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.” ~Isaac Watts (1719)

Lord, I prepare and open my heart to Thee. Enter, fill, and shine through in abounding joy.

“Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it... The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” John 1:1-5,9

“But the fruit of the Spirit is… joy.“ Galatians 5:22

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! The long-expected Savior came as promised, our Prophet, Priest, and King. He came to live and die and be resurrected and glorified for our salvation. He has come as Victor over sin, death, fear, and despair. He is here, Emmanuel, in us, with us, for us. Joy! Jesus On You! Joy of joys! Jesus Over Your Scares and Sorrows!

Jesus came to bring light and life and salvation to a weary world. He broke into darkness, broke chains of enslavement to sin and condemnation, then broke open the grave to rise victorious over all. Our greatest gifts came by way of the greatest, indescribable Gift, Jesus, joy to the world. What He has done once for all to secure eternity with Him He does personally for us in our present darkness. (2 Corinthians 9:15; Hebrews 9:24-28)

Let us receive our King, into our everyday and everything: our thinking and dreaming, our longing and loving, our talking and working and serving and giving. He has come and comes to our times of communion with Him to nourish, minister, guide. He comes in answer to our repentance to forgive, cleanse, restore. He comes into our minds to renew and teach and steer in His will. He comes into our wills to shape and purify, our work to energize and make fruitful. He comes into relationships to redeem, edify, unify, solidify. (Zephaniah 3:9,17,19-20; John 16:8,13-14; Romans 12:2; Philippians 2:5)

Are we choosing joy in every aspect and circumstance? When dreams fall flat, will we rejoice in His ongoing sovereignty? When pain persists, will we rejoice in the great Healer and Giver of peace? When exhaustion depletes, will we rejoice in the One whose Spirit is our power? He is nigh and actively present, and fills us to overflow when we decide to take our joy in Him. (Zechariah 4:6; John 14:27; Philippians 4:4-7)

“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.” ~Isaac Watts (1719)

O Lord, You are and have brought the greatest joy to the world! Fill my countenance and mouth with songs of joy that exalt Your glorious name!

“Solomon… knelt and spread out his hands toward heaven, and said, ‘O Lord, there is no God like you, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart… Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you! Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God… Listen when [we] pray… and when you hear, forgive…

“’If your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and they turn again and acknowledge your name and pray and plead with you, then hear and forgive the sin of your people… When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin, when you afflict them, then hear and forgive.., and grant rain upon your land…

“’If they sin against you… and are carried away captive to a land far or near,.. and turn their heart, saying, ‘We have sinned and have acted perversely and wickedly,’ if they repent with all their heart and with all their soul… then hear.., and maintain their cause and forgive your people who have sinned against you. Now, O my God, let your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayer of this place…’

“Then the Lord said to [Solomon]: ‘I have heard your prayer… When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.'” 2 Chronicles 6:13-14,18-19,21-21,24-27,36-40; 7:12-14

Solomon recognized and valued the blessing of the LORD. He knew this transcendent, holy God had in grace set His affection and favor on Israel, and chosen him to lead. Before the people, he reverently bowed and sought God’s continued help, knowing there would be times of failure. Would the Lord please, if Israel turned back from sin, forgive and restore?

His God was both upright and merciful, just and compassionate. He knew from his father that God did not harbor anger forever or despise a broken and contrite heart, so he appealed to Him on both the basis of His grace and the condition of His people’s sincere repentance. The Holy One heard, and gave His promise. The Heavenly King’s word in response to this earthly king’s plea could be trusted. (Psalm 51:1-4,17; 103:8-14)

We can always appeal to our Lord’s immutable character and love, and stand fast and confident on His word. Yet His condition to us is that we be willing to have Him search us to reveal and extricate the unholy in our core impulses. This beautiful interdependence brings about bold prayer and clear answers that exalt the Lord. (Psalm 51:7; 139:23-24)

How committed are we to exercising this utter, urgent dependence on God in prayer? Do we realize that the health and revival of our nations depend on our genuine contrition and unequivocal trust?

Lord God, clean my heart and renew my spirit to cling to You in prayer. Revive me, and revive our land. All good depends on You, and is for Your ultimate glory. (Psalm 51:10; 85:6)

“Thus all the work that Solomon did for the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, and stored the silver, the gold, and all the vessels in the treasuries of the house of God. Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ houses of the people of Israel, in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion.

“And they brought up the ark, the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; the Levitical priests brought them up.  And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim.

“And when the priests came out of the Holy Place (for all the priests who were present had consecrated themselves, without regard to their divisions, and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with 120 priests who were trumpeters; and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, ‘For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,’ the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.” 2 Chronicles 5:1-2,5-7,11-14

All the planning, all the careful labor, years of toil and sweat and anticipation, and the day had finally arrived. Moving Day. The ark of God brought into the Most Holy Place set off sacrifice, praise, music, and joy like no other.

Every day we live and move, we have a choice whether to carry the ark of God’s splendor into our hours. Before us is time and space for spiritual devotion, required work, needed service, people to love. When we apply ourselves in holy vigor, and complete our tasks of mind and hand as unto the Lord, we receive the indescribable blessing of His pleasure and favor. Songs of soul break forth, joy and delight abound, and His glory shines for all to see. (Colossians 3:23-24)

Would we invite Him into our days? Would we employ His insight in our thinking and planning, His care and strength in our industry, His Spirit’s fruit in our ministry to others? How much more efficient, effective, and lasting would be our endeavors if filled with the cloud of the Lord?

Lord on high, envelop me with Your palpable presence. Unify my heart to exalt You in word and deed. Keep me singing of Your enduring love all the day, and so glorify Your name in the temple of my body and life. (Psalm 86:11; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

“One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up  and said to him, ‘Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.’ He answered them, ‘I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?’ And they discussed it with one another, saying, ‘If we say, “From heaven,” he will say, “Why did you not believe him?” But if we say, “From man,” all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.’ So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.’” Luke 20:1-8

By their very question, the religious leaders betrayed their shallow thinking and preference for argument and nitpicking instead of truth. They were, after all, leaders, and they could call the shots. Jesus, knowing they wanted to have nothing to do with His rightful authority, returned a question to expose their heathen mindset, and they tripped. Their mental figuring got tangled in fear, word-plays, others’ perception, and what-ifs, and they could not answer. They had sought a trap for Jesus, not truth that would set them free. (Luke 20:19-26; John 8:32)

There can be teaching and preaching we would rather not accept- it may be hard to understand, it may require a response we are unwilling to give. In our tendency to push back or avoid, we skirt the real issue and focus on trying to undermine its validity. This reaction reveals both a hard heart and a closed mind. Rather than being willing to explore truth as it is presented, we dance around the issue, major on minor things, and decline to be transformed.

Time and again, the religious leaders were so focused on undermining and disclaiming Jesus that they completely missed the rich wisdom and life-changing words He offered. When we get singularly focused and argumentative, what intention drives us? They cared more about appearance and approval than doing the right thing. When have we been more concerned with what others will think if we do as God instructs, than with loving Him in obedience and exalting His reputation? Do we fear the reprisal of man more than God Himself?

When the Lord speaks through His anointed teachers, how intent are we on listening to learn and apply? How often do we go to the Lord with questions when we have already prepared the answers we want to hear? Do we genuinely seek Him, His will and ways, or do we simply lay out our plans and expect His approval? Do we dare question His motives when things don’t go our way?

Good Father, expose any ulterior motive and heart deception, and purify my communion with You. Keep keen my desire to know You who are true, and all Your right answers. (1 John 5:20)

“‘Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness...’ While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. And the Lord said to him, ‘Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.  You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also?..

“’But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.’

“One of the lawyers answered him, ‘Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also.’ And he said, ‘Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed.  So you are witnesses and you consent to the deeds of your fathers… Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, “I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,” so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation… Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.’” Luke 11:34-35,37-40,42-52

Jesus knew what was in a man. He warns about what we expose our eyes to, whether we allow in darkness or light, then proceeds to declare what He, the all-seeing Son of God, sees. No pride, hypocrisy, deceit, untoward affection- nothing is hidden from His omniscient eye. (Luke 12:2-3; John 2:25)

His words uncover unseen ugly attitudes behind outward actions. On the surface these Pharisees looked pretty good: generous, disciplined, tidy top performers. But the living Word discloses what simmers behind their veneer: greed, injustice, cruelty, prejudice, spiritual rebellion, false honor. (Hebrews 4:12)

What do we work hard to hide about our interior? Where have our attempts to blind others to our tidily-tamped down inner sins actually blinded us to their poisonous effects, in our souls, our relationships, our worldview? How is bitterness, hatred, or a cold heart affecting our behavior, causing us to manipulate with carefully chosen deceit in word and deed? Who do we think we are fooling?

The wondrous truth about our Savior is that He died for all He sees. When His Spirit convicts of what we’ve attempted to conceal, He is near to hear our genuine confession and forgive. Would we come to Him and live- unburdened, clean, free?

“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

Amen.

“Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem… And he made the Most Holy Place. Its length, corresponding to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits, and its breadth was twenty cubits. He overlaid it with 600 talents of fine gold. The weight of gold for the nails was fifty shekels. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.

“In the Most Holy Place he made two cherubim of wood and overlaid them with gold. The wings of the cherubim together extended twenty cubits: one wing of the one, of five cubits, touched the wall of the house, and its other wing, of five cubits, touched the wing of the other cherub… The wings of these cherubim extended twenty cubits. The cherubim stood on their feet, facing the nave. And he made the veil of blue and purple and crimson fabrics and fine linen, and he worked cherubim on it… So Solomon made all the vessels that were in the house of God: the golden altar, the tables for the bread of the Presence, the lampstands and their lamps of pure gold to burn before the inner sanctuary, as prescribed…” 2 Chronicles 3:1,8-11,13-14; 4:19-20

King Solomon had the big picture in mind when he set to work on God’s house. He knew its purpose, and he was precise in detail. With all its exact measurements supporting the exquisite design, he gave particular attention to the Most Holy Place, planned and constructed corresponding to the breadth of the house. The inner sanctum must always be the heart, the crown jewel, of any temple, including our own.

Our bodies are made up of many parts, each with its function, each for the good working and efficiency of the whole. But without the heart, pumping life blood through the rest of the body, there is no life. (1 Corinthians 12:14-18)

As God’s children, our bodies are the temple where Jesus Christ resides and reigns. We exercise a myriad of functions, going about work and play each day, concerned for our external activity, but the Lord calls us to tend to the inner sanctuary. Just as any vessel or structure cannot function well without an engine, an energy source, or foundational strength, our lives need a Holy of Holies that is given precedence and attention. (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Do I start my day charging ahead on my pursuits with my ‘whole house,’ checking off my list of required to-dos and preferred want-tos? Do I see myself as indispensable and invincible for the demands at hand? What would change in my attitude or priorities if I began by tending to that secret place? What could change in my practical effectiveness and spiritual fruitfulness if I spent time in the Holy of Holies first thing?

What responsibilities call for insight, what decisions for wisdom? Would I seek them from God corresponding to their importance? Where do I lack energy, or spiritual zeal? Is my time spent with the Lord corresponding in measure to my dearth? Martin Luther said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” As your days, so shall your strength be, when we begin those days in the Holy Place. (Deuteronomy 33:25)

Lord, grant me wisdom and discipline to take time in the Holy Place proportionate to the demands of each day. Honoring You first is the only way to honor You always.

“Now Solomon purposed to build a temple for the name of the Lord… And Solomon assigned 70,000 men to bear burdens and 80,000 to quarry in the hill country, and 3,600 to oversee them. [He] sent word to Hiram the king of Tyre: ‘As you dealt with David my father.., so deal with me. Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of the Lord my God and dedicate it to him for the burning of incense of sweet spices before him, and for the regular arrangement of the showbread, and for burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths and the new moons and the appointed feasts of the Lord our God, as ordained forever for Israel. The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him? So now send me a man skilled to work in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue fabrics, trained also in engraving, to be with the skilled workers who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem… Send me also cedar, cypress, and algum timber from Lebanon, for I know that your servants know how to cut timber… The house I am to build will be great and wonderful…’

“Then Hiram the king of Tyre answered in a letter that he sent to Solomon, ‘Because the Lord loves his people, he has made you king over them… Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, who has discretion and understanding, who will build a temple for the Lord and a royal palace for himself.'” 2 Chronicles 2:1,3-9,11-12

When Solomon takes the reins of the kingdom, a holy fire flames within. What a gift from God! Enthralled with his LORD, armed with an eternal perspective and purpose, he sets about the work of building a temple for His name with zeal and passion. As his desire to do the work burns, he is overwhelmed by the invisible spiritual magnitude of his intention. Shouldn’t we all be, with any work asked of our mighty God?

In any endeavor, if we are truly doing our work as unto Him, we must be captivated and compelled by God’s indescribable greatness and worth. We realize that while we make every effort to honor Him, He is still above and beyond us. His glory is still greater and His ways still loftier than anything we can imagine or produce. Such an outlook fuels humility and determines excellence in all we do. (Isaiah 55:8-9; Colossians 3:23)

Our work is a gift from God, designed for us who were made in His image to reflect His glory, be fruitful, and multiply. We should be zealous in our industry and delight in exercising God’s purpose for us as a demonstration of love, gratitude, and reverence. (Genesis 1:26-29; 2:7-9,15; Romans 12:6-11; James 1:17)

Have we grown lazy? Weary? Whiny? Do we hide and hope others will step up, or take advantage of opportunities to serve and do good? How would a higher view of God elevate our work? (Galatians 6:9-10)

Father, may I purpose, in all I plan and do, to exalt Your beauty, reflect Your excellencies, and honor Your name.

“David said, ‘The Lord, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people, and he dwells in Jerusalem forever. And so the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the things for its service.’ For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered… For their duty was to assist the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord, having the care of the courts and the chambers, the cleansing of all that is holy, and any work for the service of the house of God. Their duty was also to assist with the showbread, the flour for the grain offering, the wafers of unleavened bread, the baked offering, the offering mixed with oil, and all measures of quantity or size. And they were to stand every morning, thanking and praising the Lord, and likewise at evening, and whenever burnt offerings were offered to the Lord on Sabbaths, new moons, and feast days, according to the number required of them, regularly before the Lord. Thus they were to keep charge of the tent of meeting and the sanctuary, and to attend the sons of Aaron, their brothers, for the service of the house of the Lord.” 1 Chronicles 23:25-32

Under David, Jerusalem was established as Israel’s capital for worship. The job description for the Levites, God’s anointed for all care relating to the movable tabernacle, was forever changed. When Solomon would build the temple as the permanent place of worship, roaming priests would become regular fixtures, leading twice a day in thanksgiving and praise. David knew the worship of God was of the utmost importance, and must not be altered. Its location would change, but its primacy would not.

As we age, as we move, as we transition into new seasons, as arrangements and requirements for certain work and service change, we are confronted with the need to adjust ourselves. We might have new assignments, or no assignment at all. We may answer to a new supervisor, or suddenly become our own. What we once had energy and zeal to do, we may no longer enjoy or be able to perform. When all around us shifts and alters, what does not, and what must we let not?

God Himself never changes. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and His love for us will never fail. As His children, we are secure forever, our inheritance guaranteed, sure, and unchangeable. These truths will never change, and give us assurance in our worlds of flux and unknowns. (Psalm 136:1-3; Jeremiah 31:3; Malachi 3:6; Ephesians 1:11-14; Hebrews 13:8)

Our need to worship never changes. We were made for it. God’s worthiness of our full adoration, affection, attention, and trust does not shift like changing shadows. Though circumstances, responsibilities, roles, and our sense of place may change, our spiritual purpose to glorify the immutable God does not. Are we fixed, and our souls stilled, on this glorious calling? (Isaiah 26:3; 43:7; James 1:17; Revelation 4:11)

“Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side;
bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to your God to order and provide;
in ev’ry change he faithful will remain…

Be still, my soul: your God will undertake
to guide the future as he has the past.” ~Kathrina Von Shlegel (1865)

Lord, let me never be shaken by changes around me, but be fixed on You and determined to exalt Your name at all times.