Author: astherainandsnow

“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. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, be diligent.., for if you practice these qualities you will never fall… 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 1:3-10,19

The Source and vehicle? God and His divine power. The generous grant? All things that pertain to life and godliness, and God’s precious and very great promises. The motivation? To partake of His divine nature, having been freed from sin’s corruption. Our call? To His glory and excellence. Behold what is ours for the partaking!

It is hard to dress a limp body. Our gracious Lord has brought all the garb, provided everything necessary for us to partake of His divine nature, but He elicits our cooperation in getting dressed in that nature. We make available our hearts for the shield of faith, our minds for knowledge and virtue. We put out our arms in active faith as we serve and work, and exercise self control as we speak, react, and behave. In tandem with our every effort, our Lord fuels steadfastness, develops godliness, fills to overflow with brotherly affection and love. (Ephesians 6:14,16; Philippians 4:8)

What we think is not possible we have shrouded in unbelief. We trip up on the unloveliness of others, the challenge of a circumstance, or the repugnance of a requirement, and are near-sighted to the vast possibilities of God. He who has delivered us from sin’s tentacles is the One who matures in us our new person, with all attending qualities, fresh impulses, and new affections. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

What reluctance and unbelief need we release in order to partake of all God has to offer? He gives us every good reason to be made like Him, and therefore effective and fruitful as we live our days. Will we let go of every thing that holds us back, so we are free to seize His all things?

Lord God, multiply Your grace to me in the knowledge of God and Jesus my Lord. Prompt me daily to seize and partake of all You have afforded me, so Your nature is magnified and made attractive to all who live in a dark place of soul. May Your truth have its way in me, and its sway in the nations. (2 Peter 1:3; 2:1-3)

“Command the people of Israel and say to them, ‘My offering, my food for my food offerings, my pleasing aroma, you shall be careful to offer to me at its appointed time. This is the food offering that you shall offer to the Lord: two male lambs a year old without blemish, day by day, as a regular offering. The one lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight; also a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering, mixed with a quarter of a hin of beaten oil. It is a regular burnt offering, which was ordained at Mount Sinai for a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the Lord. Its drink offering shall be a quarter of a hin for each lamb. In the Holy Place you shall pour out a drink offering of strong drink to the Lord. The other lamb you shall offer at twilight… as a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the Lord. On the Sabbath day, two male lambs a year old without blemish, and two tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering, mixed with oil, and its drink offering… At the beginnings of your months, you shall offer a burnt offering to the Lord.” Numbers 28:2-9,11

The many offerings described in the book of Numbers have varied significances for the people of Israel. Note their daily- and deliberate-ness. They are regular, measured, and orderly; they are comprised of ordinary necessities (food and drink) and are therefore sacrificial; they are self-giving as they render to God a pleasing aroma. The Lord is prescribing for His children a God-oriented life, knowing this is His design for full delight in and dependence on Him.

Every breath, every moment, every taste, every sip, every pleasure, is a gift from Jehovah Jireh, the Provider. How often do I turn the calendar, take a bite or drink, indulge in a routine pleasure, without even thinking of the Giver of these good gifts of sustenance and delight? The Lord wisely established a daily pattern of gratitude and acknowledging the Source of every aspect of their lives, and calls us to the same today. Morning and evening, make an offering. Yield, give praise, surrender, keep the rhythm. (James 1:17)

If at the start and end of each day we set apart Christ in our hearts as holy and honored Lord, offering ourselves as living sacrifices unto His will, we orient our outlook, affections, and efforts in a heavenly direction. We enthrone our Maker, and grow in desire to walk with and please Him. We open our hands and schedules in availability to Him, owning that He is Master. We take into account what He has entrusted to us, and offer it as stewards back to Him for divine use and fruitful distribution. (Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:1-2; 1 Peter 3:15)

Daily ritual need not be rote or meaningless. Instead, like the consistent Old Testament offerings, it can be a substantive, pungent, even visceral relinquishing of self unto the pleasure and honor of our Lord. What am I hoarding that God desires as an offering?

Lord, break down the fences I’ve selfishly constructed, and open my heart in glad offering of my all, for Your glory and delight.

“Reuben, the firstborn of Israel; the sons of Reuben: of Hanoch, the clan of the Hanochites; of Pallu, the Palluites; of Hezron, the Hezronites; of Carmi, the Carmites. Those listed were 43,730. And the sons of Pallu: Eliab. The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These are the Dathan and Abiram, chosen from the congregation, who contended against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against the Lord and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah, when the fire devoured 250 men, and they became a warning. But the sons of Korah did not die… Now Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters. And the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. These are the clans of Manasseh, and those listed were 52,700… And the name of the daughter of Asher was Serah. These are the clans of the sons of Asher as they were listed, 53,400…

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Among these the land shall be divided for inheritance according to the number of names. To a large tribe you shall give a large inheritance, and to a small tribe a small inheritance; every tribe in proportion to its list… according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit…’ The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed the daughter of Levi, who was born in Egypt. She bore to Amram Aaron and Moses and Miriam their sister. And to Aaron were born Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died when they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord… But among these there was not one of those listed in the wilderness of Sinai. For the Lord had said of them, ‘They shall die in the wilderness.’ Not one was left, except Caleb and Joshua.” Numbers 26:5-11,33-34,46-47,52-55,59-61,64-65

“I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

The people of Israel were named, numbered, and noted. Those who would enter the promised land were distinguished from those who had rebelled and would not. Those who had contended against Moses and the LORD and were destroyed were remembered, but brave Caleb and Joshua were counted. Who we are, and what we do, never goes unnoticed, determines our legacy, and matters to God. (Hebrews 9:27)

The current census being taken in our nation determines federal planning, strategy, and dispersement of funds, much as Israel’s census informed their inheritance of land. Owning a name as God’s child secures our eternal inheritance, as well as spiritual riches and identity with Christ in the present. What a blessing to be counted as His! (Ephesians 1:3,13-14)

In God’s kingdom, everyone bears His name. In His economy, each contributes uniquely. How clearly do others recognize in me His family resemblance? How energetically am I pursuing and introducing others to His clan? On whom will I newly place the immeasurable value God does, and invite them to join His inheritance? Do my works reflect and glorify God, or me? (Matthew 5:16)

Lord, You have called me by name and numbered me as Your child. Thank You. Bind love and faithfulness on my heart to keep that name good, so it always bring attention and honor to You alone. (Proverbs 3:3-4; 22:1)

“And the Lord spoke to Moses… ‘On the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, you shall keep [the Passover] at its appointed time; according to all its statutes and all its rules you shall keep it.’ And they kept the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, in the wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so the people of Israel did. And there were certain men who were unclean through touching a dead body, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day, and they came before Moses… and said, ‘We are unclean through touching a dead body. Why are we kept from bringing the Lord‘s offering at its appointed time among the people of Israel?’ And Moses said to them, ‘Wait, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you.’ The Lord [said], ‘If any one of you or of your descendants is unclean through touching a dead body, or is on a long journey, he shall still keep the Passover. In the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight they shall keep it.” 

“Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, [they] remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out… They kept the charge of the Lord.” Numbers 9:1,3,5-11,22-23

God is holy, and from the beginning gave holy statutes that honored Him and were for His people’s good. Since the first Passover, keeping it annually was one of their most significant celebrations. It recalled their miraculous deliverance from Egypt, and looked forward to future deliverance through Jesus, the unblemished Lamb of God. But as with many laws, there are layers when it comes to implementation, and God’s people must filter and discern when there are apparent conflicts or incongruities. In these places, God applies His mercy. (Exodus 12; John 1:36)

The key is intent. People who were deemed by law “unclean” because of their proper handling of a dead body still wanted to celebrate, so the Lord made a way for them to obey both statutes. Their commitment was to submit, so submit they could, and did.

When we wait in our conundrums on the all-wise God, He is faithful to give us His insight and direct us. He sees the heart behind the surface conflicts, and never compromises His holiness. Our length of time waiting for His cloud to move is not ours to determine, but we can trust Him to lead the way. God is on our side, and delights in our obedience; He always provides a way for us to follow His word. (1 Samuel 15:22; 16:7; Psalm 32:8; 118:5-7; Proverbs 3:5-6; John 7:3-6,9; 1 Corinthians 10:13)

Are there places I resist God’s commands because they counter what is convenient for me, or even what makes sense? Are there times I play the authority, and choose which ones to obey and which to amend to my liking, or dismiss altogether? How well am I versed in the whole of God’s statutes, so I comprehend their meaning? Do I deliberately ask for the grace and wisdom to obey for His honor, not my will?

Holy God, keep me keeping Your statutes, honoring always their intent, and their righteous, merciful Author.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” “We have the mind of Christ.” “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Phil 2:5; 4:8

There was high aviary traffic this morning. Two small birds flirted and flitted in playful loops, cut through by an egret, headed, straight as its long neck, determinedly south. A dozen regal pelicans gracefully muscled their vee in the opposite direction up the cove, while a pair of noisy black birds darted beneath a swarm of swallows, across the busy thoroughfare. Each had its own agenda, each a reason, a destination, and together they made for a glorious display of variety, movement, and harmony.

So it can be with mental traffic. Focused planning can be distracted by flirts of desires, thoughtful determination interrupted by the noise of the urgent, sober contemplation punctuated by a jarring alert or a gasp of beauty. Life seldom presents one issue at a time, but as the Spirit renews and directs our thinking, He reminds us of what is true, pulls in flits of experience and tested knowledge, and steers us in His right direction. Our minds are an amazing gift from God, able to integrate ingredients of our experience and understanding, and intended to be exercised with discipline, zealous vigor, and lofty intent to discern and promote His will. (John 14:26; 16:13; Colossians 3:2)

It is unwise to make big decisions in times of great emotion or stress, whether grief, anger, or exhilaration. It is also usually prudent to settle into a transition before determining significant needs or desired changes. Surrendering our minds to the Lord each day opens them for His washing and leading. Through worship that focuses on Him, and Scripture-led prayer, we can set our mind fully on God’s grace and ‘gird up the loins of our mind for action.’ (1 Peter 1:13)

What sets the course of our thinking each day? Do we guard and take time, first thing, to praise and thank God, to soak in His character as our lens, His true word as our sustenance and instruction, before absorbing the world’s fare of news, opinion, must-dos, and selected morsels of inspiration? With all on our plate and all that goes on in the world, are we giving up or in to chaos, or submitting to God as our mental traffic controller?

“Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought, by day or by night;
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.” ~attributed to Dallán Forgaill (530-598)

Wise Father, please arm me with Your way of thinking. Make me self-controlled, sober-minded, and intent always and gratefully on Your will. (Philippians 2:5; 1 Peter 4:1-2,7)

“Look among the nations, and see;
    wonder and be astounded.
For I am doing a work in your days
    that you would not believe if told.
For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans,
    that bitter and hasty nation,
who march through the breadth of the earth,
    to seize dwellings not their own…

For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
    it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
    it will surely come; it will not delay.

Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him,
    but the righteous shall live by his faith…

The earth will be filled
    with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 1:5-6; 2:3-4,14

The cup in the Lord‘s right hand
    will come around to you,
    and utter shame will come upon your glory!

The Lord is in his holy temple;
    let all the earth keep silence before him.” Habakkuk 2:16,20

Israel had been brought to her knees by God using the cruel Assyrians, whom, Isaiah prophesied, He promised in turn to crush underfoot. Habakkuk questioned God’s next use of the wicked Chaldeans to punish Judah, and God pointed him to His wider purposes of justice: humbling His prideful people, yet also ultimately destroying those He used to punish them, all for His glory among the nations.

We now see in a mirror dimly, yet through this time of wondering what God is doing and why, He develops in us the faith by which He calls us to live, and stirs into our grappling deeper hope, and love for Him. Focusing on the foreground and immediately beyond, we get dismayed at present inconvenience, torques of lifestyle and schedule. We grieve what we are losing, yet cannot fathom or foretell all God is arranging in the distances beyond. He ordains and defines each layer of life, His plans for us individually and His divine scheme for the world over the ages. (1 Corinthians 13:12-13)

Does God use evil to bring about His ends? Absolutely. Jesus the unblemished Lamb was crucified to bring us forgiveness and eternal life. Is He using hardship now to accomplish His purposes? Will He redeem our sorrow, broken dreams, and loss? Absolutely! He does His work efficiently and efficaciously; He has determined His appointed times, His perfectly measured ways, His ends. We can trust that He loves us and is working all for our good. (Romans 8:28; Galatians 2:20)

Lord, silence my vexed heart. Keep me growing in Your knowledge, wondering at Your works, anticipating Your purposes, and joyfully astounding at Your glory.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.” 1 Peter 1:3-8

Outside looked grey like rain, yet all was dry, with lots of wind. It’s smoke, choking the wind swaying the trees, choking my senses with its pungent smell, ash particles, and haze. My throat burns, coughs, my eyes sting trying to see clear edges through. Brush fires ignite and quickly spread destruction and irritation that are difficult to manage and quell.

There’s a brush fire inside me today, a pesky spark of irritation and unease that’s captured surrounding dry mind space and taken off. Unchecked thoughts spread to unleashed attitudes to unfiltered words, leaving a dark cloud of sting and regret and burnt opportunities.

Where have I allowed tinder of fear or doubt to grow dry and brittle, left void of the soak of what is true, only to allow them to spread and lick up all comfort and hope? Am I letting anger at reactions, restrictions on my world, and reverberating messages of doom to ignite, then stoking it to flame by my unchecked tongue? Where have sparks of malaise, disquiet, and despair come to life in my spiritual outlook and begun to spread, vanquishing my remembrance of God’s past faithfulness and swallowing my trust that God reigns over all things? (Psalm 47:2-4,8; 66:5-12; Philippians 4:8)

I make my way through the smoke to my Lord, and submit to the firehose of His living word.

“Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of your holy word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfil in us
All Your purposes, for Your glory.

Teach us Lord full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility.
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise
Cause our eyes to see,
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of power that can never fail;
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.”  ~Keith Getty, Stuart Townend (2006)

These fiery trials test us, purifying what we believe, in our blindness, about God’s glorious order.

Lord, keep me soaking in You. Extinguish my carking brush fires with Your stronger Spirit and truth. Awaken rejoicing and hopeful faith into the blessing and praising of Your name!

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And [He] commanded [him], saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die’… [The serpent] said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”?’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden,.. lest you die.”‘ But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die…’ So the woman… took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband and he ate… To Adam [God] said, ‘Because you have.. eaten of the tree,.. you are dust, and to dust you shall return.’” Genesis 2:15-17;3:1-4,6,17,19

“It is my eager expectation and hope that… with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell… My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” Philippians 1:20-23

The taste and immediate fallout of death entered the world when Eve believed the Tempter over God. First shame, then fear, then separation enveloped human experience. Since the fall, we have all inherited death. It is inescapable, often cruel, sometimes a mercy, always final. The terrible reality of Eden lingers today: the fear of death grips us when we believe lies over God’s great promises. (Genesis 3:24; Hebrews 9:27)

But for those of us in Christ, life is different. We have also, by faith in Jesus, been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us and guaranteed by the indwelling Holy Spirit as our deposit. The shadow of the first inheritance disappears in light of the second, glorious one. Eternal death is swallowed in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:53-54,57; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Peter 1:3-4)

And it is in this hope we are spurred, like Paul, to ‘live Christ,’ to zealously do the works He has prepared for us in the time we’ve been given. God ordains our purposes and numbers our days, and we are accountable for them. We need not be anxious about the future; our glorious inheritance is secured. (Psalm 139:16; Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13)

Where is the enemy stealing today’s fruit by dangling worry over a tomorrow we cannot control? What earthly thinking, what lies from the world, prevent us from living to the full today without fear? Where does our outlook on death need adjusting in light of truth? (John 3:16; 15:16; 1 Corinthians 15:55)

Lord, for today, give me a heart of wisdom. May I be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in Your work, and courageously inviting others to receive the joyful hope of a promised inheritance with You. (Psalm 90:12; 1 Corinthians 15:58)

“He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing. He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them… The pillars of heaven tremble… By his wind the heavens were made fair… Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” “Where were you… when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?.. Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?.. Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness, that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home?.. What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth?.. Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?” Job 26:7-8,11,13-14; 38:4,7,12-13,19-20,24,33 

“He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in.” Isaiah 40:22

Watching the predawn sky as color rose in its cheeks, I saw the Creator, whose glories are reflected in all He has made, blushing. Lord, teach me about Your beautiful flush.

Is it the vibrant glow of energy, a grand smudge of zeal in Your wonder-working power to orchestrate the hours and human history as they unfold? Is it the pique of awakening purpose You have ordained from eternity past, and the vigor You expend as You work to fulfill it? (Jeremiah 1:12; Ephesians 1:11)

Is it red-faced holy shame at our willful rebellion, our prurient desires and foolish choices, our ugly words and rude actions toward others You have made? Does it portend Your righteous anger at our impatience at anything in the way of our agenda, our pride and greed, which is idolatry, our dismissal of Your gracious authority and ownership of every breath and possession? (Daniel 9:5-6,8; Colossians 3:5)

Is it the irrepressible glow of affection, of uncontainable love that pulses warm and bright when You look down on Your beloved children? Your blood that was spilled for us surely flows hot and true when You watch over those You have saved and are saving.

Whatever its meaning, it is the dazzling display of Your glory, a lovely hue of Your divine countenance, pure and perfect and glowing. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.” (Psalm 19:1;97:6)

Magnificent Creator, You are worthy to be pondered, and Your beauties extolled. Magnify Yourself in the way I see things and in my countenance, that I would reflect Your resplendent blush to Your world.

“And the people of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin. And Miriam died there and was buried there. Now there was no water for the congregation. And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron [and] quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Would that we had perished! Why have you brought [us] into this wilderness,.. to this evil place?’ Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them… 

“Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom: ‘Please let us pass through your land.^‘ But he said, ‘You shall not pass through.’ And Edom came out against them with a large army and with a strong force… And they journeyed from Kadesh, and the people of Israel came to Mount Hor… And Aaron died there on the top of the mountain… From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way and spoke against God and against Moses, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.’ Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.

“They continued to Beer… Then Israel sang this song: ‘Spring up, O well!—Sing to it!—’ Numbers 20:1-6,14,17,20,22,28; 21:4-6,16-17

His was an unimaginably hard daily existence, wandering through the desert in charge of thousands of unmotivated, grumbling Israelites, going nowhere fast. Moses knew it would be years before they reached the promised land, and was freshly and painfully aware he would not even be able to lead them in. His only siblings had died, his ‘white noise’ was constant complaining by those he led, and at every new turn there was an impasse, rejection, more scrappy fighting or lengthy detouring to make their way forward. (Numbers 20:10-13)

What enabled Moses to keep on? It was the glory of the LORD, his Captain. It was the well He supplied, the deep drink and sustenance that bowing before Him affords.  It was the living water He bubbles inside us when we come to Him. His Lord was his constant companion, his Paraclete, the One who was ever-present and spoke personally and guided him. His goal was clear and his heart’s desire was to obey and fulfill his calling. He clung to God in desperation, in dependence, and found in Him proven faithfulness, and strong resolve. (Numbers 21:16-17; Psalm 46:1; John 4:14; 14:16,26)

Do we faint when the going is hard? Do we stub toes on grumbling and stumble on disappointment? Does grief weigh us down for longer than it need? Surely there is a time for sorrow, but the trials we meet also produce endurance over time, enabling us to move ahead with steadfast confidence in the One who has ordained and is redeeming them. (Ecclesiastes 3:4; James 1:2-4)

Do we plod with spotty tolerance in growing irritation, or, as Friedrich Nietzsche stated, with a long obedience in the same direction?

Lord, keep me drawing deeply from Your wellspring of life, and plodding not somehow, but triumphantly.