Author: astherainandsnow

“O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
    and by night, but I find no rest.

“Our God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:

Under the shadow of your throne
your saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is your arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting you are God,
to endless years the same.”  ~Isaac Watts (1719)

My King, may I seek and trust Your ruling and resolving of all things, according to Your glorious good.

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings… If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:1,6-10

“I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ..Which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? ..Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:25,27,33

When we are given extra time– the same 24 hours, but with certain routines or obligations in our normal schedules omitted– we wonder how to spend the hours. We are made to work, so plugging in new tasks is a natural inclination. Concurrently, our world presents a menu of personal priorities from which to select, many having to do with improving or changing our looks, our wardrobe, our pantries. Jesus knows we deal with such advice, and gives His own. (Genesis 1:26-29; 2:15)

While none of these things is bad in itself, there is a superior endeavor to which we are all called: godliness. Righteousness. The adorning of the heart. All things ‘God’s kingdom.’ When these priorities drive our actions and expenditure of every resource, our satisfaction comes from God and not ourselves, and we are able to exhibit Him in “all these things.” (1 Peter 3:2-4)

Fitness, and fad diets have benefits. So do building and organizing and educating. But on what is our toil set? Is our goal something of this world, or a heavenly hope? Are the things on which we spend time and limited energy all temporal, or eternal? Do we pay more attention to constructing something here than the constructs of our hearts? God planted us on this earth for earthly living, but this can be done with a heavenly mindset, a passion for God’s honor and redeemed for lasting good.

In planning my days, where do I include training for godliness? Can I describe my toil and striving as heavenly, or is it all earthly? Will I invite my God to infuse every aspect of my work with Himself, to teach me the exercise of holy character and industry even as I go about daily tasks?

Lord, train me through every earthly task to toil for what matters to You. Make godliness and imitating You my highest aim, for You are worthy of that effort and honor.

“You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God. Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal: I am the Lord your God…

“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest… neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God. 

“You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

“You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning. You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.

“You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.

“You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

“You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes… You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity. You shall have just balances. I am the Lord your God.” Exodus 19:2-4,9-18,26,34-36

Because God is the LORD, He is practical. Because God is the LORD, He is thorough. Because God is the LORD, holy and good, and omniscient of human inclinations, He instructs His own with care and specificity so that we will be holy as He. (Jeremiah 17:9)

We need to keep hearing that He is the LORD our God, because we want to be god ourselves. We want to determine how to spend our days and resources. We want to choose whom to honor, and how, to dole out preference with favoritism or in measure of the good another has done us. We can fear man, or disease, or lost rights, or financial insecurity, more than we fear God.

And God says, revere and love Him first, behave remembering who we were and what He has done for us, and we will be progressively made holy. What panic, self-interest, or pride prevents us from accepting His words as for our good and sanctification?

Father, purify my every impulse and action. Make me holy to reflect to the world that You alone are LORD.

“After these things Joseph of Arimathea,.. asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid, [Joseph’s] own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there [and] rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.

“The next day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate… Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.’ So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. 

“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.” Matthew 27:60,62,65-66; John 19:38-20:1

Birds fill the pink cotton air the morning after Good Friday, punctuating the cool breeze with chatter and song of a dozen melodies. Wind chimes ding their rich tones as backdrop to the natural aviary that is our backyard and beyond. The day after the crucifixion was silent, a Sabbath rest of numbing realization that it had not been a dream, Jesus really was dead, buried, gone forever. There was not a sound in that sealed tomb. But this side of that silent, we sing.

We sing remembering the tomb carved in rock and what was buried there- all sin and accompanying pain, regret, and sorrow. Every wicked impulse, every ungodly thought, every alien affection for anything other than holy God. The unblemished sacrifice of atonement, the agonizing wage of sin, was my Savior, crucified and buried for me. When Jesus declared “It is finished,” He put to death sin’s power over my brain, my body, my emotions, my tendencies. This side of the tomb I’m free to live fully for Him.

We sing rejoicing that Jesus lives, endlessly for us and with us as our Advocate and Defender. This side of the open tomb we are secure forever, never to be separated from Christ’s love or snatched from His hand. (John 10:28; Romans 8:31-39)

This side of silent I am compelled to sing of my great Redeemer, with robust thanksgiving and victory’s gladness.

What has that Saturday’s silence freed in us?

“Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.

Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!”  ~Charles Wesley (1738)

My Lord, with a regular spiritual discipline of silence, may I take time to repent, and remember the quiet tomb, then break forth (as You did!) with joyful song.

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.” “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Deuteronomy 29:29; Proverbs 25:2; Jeremiah 33:3

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?’ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:33-34,36

Corona: something suggesting a crown. The puzzle is entitled, “World Champions,” depicting the crowning of Major League Baseball’s 2006 victors. The coronavirus came disguised, certain symptoms recognizable, yet invisibly sinister and incomprehensibly contagious for an unknown period of time. Under a microscope, it is lovely, shaped like a crown, yet its spread and ravage are a royal headache, and heartache. The puzzle comes with a title, no image, and almost 1100 colorful, complicated pieces to fit together. Both carry great mystery to man, yet are entirely known by God the King, who in His glory, conceals things so we can search them out.

Mystery behooves us, yet as creatures made in God’s image, we yearn to search out what is beyond us, to discover, to understand. And in this exploration and crying out for comprehension, we get just enough taste of God’s limitless grace and glory for us to savor His royal goodness and hunger for more.

As hours, days, weeks go by, we learn increasingly more about the virus and put pieces together for new treatment and guidelines. Some mystery concealed is now mystery revealed, but many components still hide unknown or undeciphered in the dark. Unlike a puzzle, it may never be completely resolved, yet we know Who created and rules the kingdom. (Colossians 1:16)

When I yearn to understand, do I seek out my Lord? Do I take time to contemplate and praise His infinitude, His measureless knowledge, love, wisdom, perfection, holiness, and justice? Will I number His mercies, trace His hand through my days and years, recount His gifts? Do I recognize the ways my faith has grown and made a difference? Am I spending time in the hidden place, beholding His glory, relishing His power toward me and the resurrection power He offers? (Exodus 33:18-23; Ephesians 1:15-21; Philippians 3:10)

In all things puzzling and concealed, we can trust the perfect authority of the King of kings. His is the supreme crown. His plans are faithful and sure, His ends worthy of our confidence and rejoicing. (Isaiah 25:1,6-9)

“Crown him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o’er the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife
for those he came to save;
his glories now we sing
who died and rose on high,
who died eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.”  ~Matthew Bridges (1851)

Preeminent Sovereign, omniscient Lord over all that is concealed and secret, keep me delving deep to know You better, and in unfathomed mysteries, fortify my trust in Thee.

“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
    he turns it wherever he will.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the heart.

“No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel
    can avail against the Lord.” Proverbs 21:1-2,30

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” “For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?” “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Job 42:2; Isaiah 14:7; Romans 8:28

Mesmerizing was the predawn sky, grey heaps moving east at a steady clip to meet voluminous clouds racing from the south to converge in one dark ominous accumulation. Distinct masses, differing directions, yet one Ruler converging all into His flow of good purpose.

In a time of uncertainty, uneasy adjustment to what is a tenuous normal, there is much combatting without and within. Around us, serious voices drone, alarming with statistics and prescribing certain behaviors, while others warn against anxiety over what-ifs whose numbers change daily. Answers assuage some questions, but invite others. What is the bigger picture? Can we weigh all factors? Or is every decision driven as its own cloud bank on course to combat other roiling concerns?

Within, we wonder what to believe of conflicting reports, how to respond to sober facts and projections floated with minimal context or comparison. Our emotions can be whiplashed between fear and faith, planning and waiting, practical protection and preserving loving care for our neighbors. How do we best love behind masks? How should we spend our time during isolation? Jesus never retreated from the fray, except to move on to another place of ministry. He moved in the flow of His Father’s timing and will. His work was always the perfect, all-encompassing convergence of spiritual and physical. (John 4:34; 7:6; 10:39-40; 17:4)

To gain true perspective of combatting forces, seen and unseen, we must recede from the damp of the clouds, step away from the press of the moment, and watch the One who orchestrates every motion to fulfill His good plans in the big broad world, in His church, and in our hearts. He is doing something magnificent and more than we can imagine as He conducts His symphony of science, medicine, economies, governments, and the unseen but active spiritual world. God alone knows and superintends all things physiological and institutional. He rules cognitive reason and medical research, financial markets and civil rights and the human heart. What to us is conflict, He resolves in harmonious convergence of divine purpose, and is glorified in the doing. Are we watching? (Habakkuk 1:5; Ephesians 6:12)

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10

Will we resist the fear- and frustration-driven urge to combat in our trials, and choose instead to anticipate the Lord’s exalted triumph over all?

Sovereign Father, keep me wondering and astounded at Your supernatural hand in all that transpires in the natural world, however disheartening or unnerving. To You belong the strongest trust and highest praise.

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘See, you say to me, “Bring up this people,” but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, “I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.” Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you…’ And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ And he said to him, ‘If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here... Please show me your glory.’ And he said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name “The Lord.” And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live. Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.’” Exodus 33:12-15,18-23

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

Moses was a man of great faith, but he had his moments of weakness and doubt. His was a momentous task, and he wanted to be assured that the God who had called him would remain his constant companion. The journey with Israel was not worth taking if God would not go with them. Moses longed to know God’s ways, to see His glory, to be assured of His presence. And God responded with a message that holds today: ‘I am with you, and you will see glimpses of Me, but this life is one of walking by faith in the promise that one day, all shadows will become realities.’

Trials come and we cannot see their end. Circumstances twist so greatly we cannot untangle their meaning. Projections and diagnoses change, and we cannot find a grip on anything certain. Our present realities are so dark and distorted we chafe at being unable to understand and make plans and know.

But enter almighty God into our shadows. His is the light that gives shape and hope, that beckons us on. He is the One who proclaims His names Shepherd, Master, and King to us, the One who is plenteous in mercy and grace. He is the One who offers rest in the cleft of the Rock that is Him.

Will we choose to adjust our eyes to the shadow in which we live, and rejoice in His companionship there? Will we rest content in His favor, and watch for His ways and glory in the present, confident they are a taste of realities to come?

Lord, give me eyes of faith, that though I cannot yet see You, I believe, and live here in the shadowlands certain of Your presence. (John 20:8-9,29)

“Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

^“Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), and… Justus. They have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans… And say to Archippus, ‘See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.’ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.” Colossians 4:7-18

Paul closes his letter to the church at Colossae by naming and describing several spiritual siblings, giving a look into meaningful and cherished relationships and what fruitful ministry involves. In our season of physical separation, God is still at work in the church, and has not given us a pass at caring for others in Jesus’s name.

Struggling in regular prayer, writing letters, serving needs, hard toiling, comforting, encouraging, communicating well- all these are components of healthy interaction and mutual support within the Body. Paul’s love for the church oozes out in his mention of individuals by name, expressing appreciation and special acknowledgement according to his knowledge of them, their work, and their needs. As a leader and role model he informs, encourages, upbuilds, and instructs. He is careful to commend, and deliberate to connect people. He is open about both his activities and his suffering. And he makes everyone feel special and valued.

How involved are we in the lives of those around us, in our church body? Do we focus mostly on our own responsibilities, or intentionally take time to get to know, include, check on, come alongside others? How well do we value the contribution of those who do things differently, or do different things, and how are we expressing appreciation and support? In what specific way will we, this week, ‘greet’ those the Lord brings to mind? How will we reach out, in friendship and brotherly love, with commendation, or cheer, or prayer, or simply communication?

Father, may my life be an open-armed greeting to all You bring to my door or to my heart. Determine my every word to encourage, console, and upbuild, for Your name’s sake. (1 Corinthians 14:3)

“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry… Put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another…  

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:4-5,8-9,12-17

Jesus Christ who died is alive, and is my life! By faith in His death and victorious resurrection, I am dead to self and alive in Him. I am no longer controlled by the old; the new has come. Every wicked way, wondering, worry, and word can be cast aside. The roll of the eye in criticism, the bothered huff in a verbal response, the impatient tapping of spirit when someone doesn’t ‘get with it’ as I want, the cringe at irritations, no longer have sway or need linger in my life. No more the nasty weeds of resentment, the slow flame of covetousness, the shrines of idolatry, the clutch of greed. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Jesus lives! He reigns! And He lives in me! I am no longer my own, but His, exercised and breathing by His life-power in and through me!

With Christ my life, and my life His, I am free to live as He lives. New desire burns to seek Him first and follow in His steps. As old impulses and language die, newfound passion and grace-filled vocabulary come to life. Peace and joy take over my mind; humility, long-suffering, and mercy begin to bridle and steer my responses. Compassion reins my heart to overflow in blessing, kindness, and thankfulness to others, and my hands to open in generosity. My plans that were once set for my temporal agenda are now aligned with His, which stretch eternal. Christ my life makes a difference in all of life. (Matthew 6:33; John 13:15)

Wonderful Redeemer, so work Your resurrection power in me that it is obvious to others that You are my life, to the praise of Your glory and grace.

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel… as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures… Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” 1 Corinthians 15:1,3-4,12-20

Everything that matters hinges on the resurrection of Jesus. If He was just a great man and teacher, who modeled a righteous life but died like the rest of humanity, this helps us for a time, but leaves us facing the end of our days with some puffy pride, warm feelings, and a heavily-tilted scale, but no eternal hope. If He was just a substitute who died in our place, taking on Himself the penalty for our sin, but did not rise victorious, we have no freedom. If He fulfilled part of the scriptures in His being born of the seed of Abraham, in the royal line of David, yet did not rise again, God’s word has not proven fully true and His reputation is at stake. The very gospel, and our faith in it, is founded on the resurrection of our Savior and Redeemer. (Romans 6:5-6)

And in fact, He has been raised! Victor over sin and death! Our living hope for the present and all eternity! Reconciler to make us righteous and equip us with power! (Luke 24:1-7; John 11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:54-55; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21; Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 5:9)

Why would I doubt His promises or my worth as His child, why languish in besetting sin, why fear suffering or the future, when Jesus my Victor is alive, and reigns? (Psalm 9:7,11)

O God who raised my Lord, raise me by Your power to live victoriously over all the world’s enticements and the fawning of the flesh. Raise my sights to behold daily Your majestic glory, and to reflect You as worthy to be trusted to those who know You not. “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Corinthians 6:14; Hebrews 13:20-21)