Author: astherainandsnow

“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. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.  For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:1-5,9-14,16

This passage shines with the majesty and mystery of Jesus, the Word made flesh. With God from the beginning, one with God and Creator of all, Light personified, He came to be received. Yet many received Him not. Those who do believe are born into His family, becoming His children forever, yet even this receiving is an act of His will and power. It is His arms, not ours, that take us on Himself and into His everlasting life. All is grace, grace upon irresistible grace that we cannot fathom but gratefully accept.

To be named as God’s child? Is there a greater gift, a more meaningful adoption, a stronger security? And this belonging is all of His grace, unbreakable, unshakable grace that entered the earth at Christmas, reached out on earth through healing hands and powerful interactions, that poured out in effectual cleansing from the cross, that embraces us for eternity when we receive Jesus into our life.

How can it be? Amazing grace! Wide grace! Uplifting grace! Limitless grace! Grace that pierces through despair and sorrow, grace that energizes the weak, grace that heals the broken-hearted, grace that teaches the way to go, grace that convicts of sin, grace that redeems our folly, grace that renews heart and mind, grace that unifies the divided, grace that leads us home.

“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)

Good Savior, Your fullness cannot be stopped or quenched, and I bow in humble awe at its abundance to me. May I ever and joyfully sing of Your grace, allow its purifying work in my life, and spread it generously to others. Prepare my heart daily to acknowledge and lift high Your grace, and every heart to make room for its marvelous work and glory.

“O Lord, how long shall I cry for help? Are you not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One?.. I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. And the Lord answered me: ‘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. The righteous shall live by his faith… For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.‘

“Though the fig tree should not blossom,
    nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
    and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
    and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
    I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the deer’s;
    he makes me tread on my high places.” Habakkuk 1:2,12; 2:1-4,14; 3:17-19

The short book of Habakkuk is a beautiful window into the musings of a godly prophet with his God. Habakkuk observes God using wicked nations to punish His people, and wonders at His mysterious, offensive ways in fulfilling His good purposes. In his wrestling, he turns his eyes from the present violence to the transcendent everlasting One. He climbs to his watchpost to watch and wait. It is here the Lord reveals Himself and builds His prophet’s faith.

When am I am tempted to question God’s justice, or the tangle of His ways in a family or circumstances, will I climb the tower too? When my time plan for completion of assignments and fulfillment of dreams gets off kilter, am I willing to readjust and align with the Lord? It is understandable to have questions, to take what we know of God and wonder when it does not line up with what we would assume, but this is our opportunity to cry out to Him, to allow Him to lift our heads and take the long, eternal view. This is our chance to ask, ‘is there more to this picture?’ and submit, ‘make me willing to wait on Your time.’ His ways are so much higher than ours, yet in grace He allows us to glimpse His promises and trust Him for their fulfillment. (Deuteronomy 32:49-50; Isaiah 55:8-9)

We will not see in this life the consummation of all God’s good plans, but part of the joy and mystery of faith is believing the One Who promises, and carrying His view through all our days. (Hebrews 11:13; Revelation 22:4-7,12)

“Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.”  ~ Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Come, Lord Jesus! And until that day, keep me watching and seizing life from Your vantage point, and increase my faith! (Luke 17:5; Revelation 22:20)

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone,.. was in the world, yet the world did not know him.

“And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, ‘I am not the Christ. I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord,” as the prophet Isaiah said. I baptize with water, but among you stands one,.. the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.‘ The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.’ The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.” John 1:5-10,19-20,23,26-27,29,31,34-37

From before he was conceived, John the Baptist was foretold to be a witness to Jesus, and his life reflected that prophesy in wonderful clarity. (Luke 1:14-17)

He who was sent by God was on his mission and was never dissuaded from it. When given opportunity to claim some notoriety and credit, he identified himself as only a voice- don’t look at me, behold the Lamb. His purpose was to proclaim, and that he did in word and deed. He also made clear his aim, to point people to Jesus the Light, the Lamb, the Son of God, in order to know Him, to believe and have life and salvation in His name. John’s witness was pure, the proof of a Savior he knew, and proved in the power of changed lives: those who heard his testimony turned and followed Jesus.

If I know Jesus, His light burns in me and shines through me to a dark world. I, too, am called to proclaim. Is the voice of my life clear? Is there anything I do with words or in action to diminish clarity, to steal the tiniest bit of His glory for myself? Do I try to be more than a voice, to be noticed with the greats, to take over receiving a little affection, attention, or applause? (Matthew 5:14-16)

Not all will receive, not all will understand; the way may be lonely, and some may even mock. But we are called by God to prepare the Lord’s way, to point others to Him, and He is the One to whom we are accountable. John was imprisoned and ultimately killed for the truth he spoke, yet many believed for eternity. He who exalted Jesus won His commendation, and that is all that matters. (Matthew 3:1-4; 11:11; 14:3-11)

Lord, make me like John, intent on reflecting You and boldly witnessing of Your truth to the world.

“Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” “You are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” “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… Let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” Hosea 6:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6; Hebrews 10:24; 12:1,28

The beautiful thing about ‘lettuces’ in the Bible, is that “let us” means we do not do this good work of knowing and praising and living like our Lord alone. We are made to be part of a body, living stones being built on the foundation of Christ into a spiritual house. So, ‘let us’ join together to heed the mandates from Scripture that not only construct that living body, but encourage us to participate at all. (1 Corinthians 12:24-25; 1 Peter 2:5)

Let us support one another in pressing on to know the Lord. That may mean holding each other’s hand, pulling the weaker, or being given a gentle push by the stronger. Do I prefer to press alone, or grow impatient when another moves at a slower pace?

Let us share what we know, and listen as our brothers and sisters tell their lessons and wisdom. How willing am I to ask questions, and learn, or is my tendency only to spout off about my expert knowledge and opinion? When did I last come to a new understanding because of what another shared with me?

Let us keep each other awake and aware, vigilant to prod against worldly thinking, numbing passions, and unwholesome activities that can become rote habits. Sober is sharp, inquisitive, clear-headed. Am I such a companion?

Let us spur each other to love well and do good together. Am I in the practice of asking how a sibling in Christ has been helped by the Spirit, has understood a new facet of God’s character or changed in an attitude toward a difficult family member or colleague? In all these situations, love for God grows. How am I nurturing it? Where do I include the reluctant or shy or passive in eager service? Will I consider ways to come together and do something that benefits others, not just makes fun and pleasantness for myself? How consistently do I persist in these efforts?

And let us thank our great God together, share His wondrous deeds, worship and sing and honor our King. Awe for God grows when we recognize and marvel at the way He gathers us to grow together.

Worthy Lord, I offer You my garden of lettuces, and my willingness to grow alongside those You have put in my life.

“Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.

“And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God. ‘Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you… My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. In a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land.  And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.’” Haggai 1:4-9,14; 2:4-7,9

The winter midnight blue blushes red before dawn, bare tree silhouettes line the horizon like soft hair. The full moon lies hanging in the west, as though pulling its celestial companion up before it sets. There is nothing like a cold December sky at break of day. It takes getting out of my cocoon to behold the glory God swaths across His world, and I am always the better for it. My heart shifts, affections lift, vision clears. Life is about so much more than my cozy, my tangible and intangible ‘paneled house.’

In a season of holidazed frenzy, pine-scented hurry, wish lists dangling like sparkly ornaments, am I considering my ways? There will be no satisfaction if my worship house is in ruins. Much material comes to little, but little comes to much when the Spirit moves and I fix my treasure in my Lord.

Will I commit to adjusting my thoughts today? To shifting gears from high speed to contemplation of the manger, the wonder that God would ‘tabernacle,’ make His home, among us? What materials will I bring– hours, attention, effort– to make much of my Lord? What needs to be moved in my schedule, in my wants, on my tongue, for me to build for Him today, and show forth His glory? (Ezekiel 37:27)

Good Spirit, stir me, shift me as needed. Shake down Your glory on my doing so that others behold and love You, and know Your peace.

“The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” “God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.” “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously… Shout, and sing for joy, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”  Zephaniah 3:17; Psalm 46:5; Isaiah 12:5-6

Immanuel, that wondrous name of Jesus. God with us. He has come, He is ours. When we understand what it means that the Lord God is in our midst, a lot of singing takes place. We can only imagine the song that was sung at the hearing of this prophecy of God in their midst, the rejoicing because of His presence. When Mary received the heavenly announcement that she would bear Immanuel, her soul magnified the Lord. The reality of God, our Redeemer, Savior, Advocate, Comforter, Companion, and Finisher of our faith, in our midst, compels us to sing! (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:46-50)

Yet we are not the only ones singing. What must amaze and bring rapturous delight is that our God rejoices over us with glad singing. He takes delight in us whom He has made, in joyous love, abounding mercy, rich compassion. If He is indeed with me, I need never worry over being abandoned or alone. If He is mighty to save, why would I fret or fear? If He quiets me with His love, what can make me anxious and insecure? If He has set His affection on me and exults over me, I can rest secure in His sure salvation, unshaken by whatever comes. (Deuteronomy 7:6-8)

“O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace.”  ~Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

So as I smile, relishing the Savior’s rejoicing over me, what will be my song? Will I lift my voice to delight in Immanuel, singing scriptures back in gratitude? Will I boldly sing His praises to others, telling of His wondrous deeds and grace toward me? Do I bring joyful fragrance to the atmosphere wherever I am with His music? (Psalm 96:3)

“Go spread the news of Immanuel
Joy and peace for the weary heart
Lift up your heads, for your King has come
Sing for the Light overwhelms the dark
Glory shining for all to see
Hope alive, let the gospel ring
God has made a way, He will have the praise
Tell the world His name is Jesus.”  ~ Sing We the Song of Immanuel, by Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Stuart Townend (2015)

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
    one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
    from ancient days.

“And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
    to the ends of the earth.
And he shall be their peace.” Micah 5:2,4-5

“An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, do not fear to take Mary as your wife… She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.'” “Joseph went up from Galilee… to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger… ‘For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” Matthew 1:20-21; Luke 2:4-7,11

Bethlehem. The hometown of king David, but declined, small, insignificant. Until Jesus the Savior was born there. Jesus makes every place and every task and everybody significant. (1 Samuel 16:1; John 7:42)

If we are planted in a home, or town, or situation, that is not our choice or seems unimportant, insignificant, too small for a big work of God, consider it holy ground. Jesus’s life and movement can blaze bright and make a difference. (Exodus 3:1-5)

If we are called to tasks that appear too taxing for our energy or impossible for our skill set, that are unappealing to our senses or require a gusto we find hard to muster, rely on the strength of the Lord and the majesty and power of His name. He is the One Who equips and trains and supports us, His Spirit gives success, victory, and peace. (Zechariah 4:6; Psalm 18:28-35; Ephesians 6:10; Philippians 4:19)

It is the Lord Who makes small services holy, small gestures eternal, small people great. It is He Who calls into existence what is not, and gives hope where there is none, thus awakening and nurturing our faith. It is He Who defines our worth and brings His presence to bear an effective and indelible mark on all we endeavor to accomplish or be. “It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you.” It is He Who declares, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (Deuteronomy 7:7-8; Romans 4:17-18; 1 Peter 2:9)

Lord God, sanctify the small and seemingly insignificant in my days to bring glory to Your magnificent and marvelous name.

“This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone. It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away… but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.’” Luke 23:52-24:7

The anguish of the crucifixion had quieted, Joseph requested to bury Jesus’s body, and then all rested because it was the Sabbath. Those who had killed the One who instituted and fulfilled the law rested according to its tenets. Those who loved Jesus and witnessed his death also rested, depleted by sorrow and imaginably grateful for the prescribed Sabbath. And this rest is divinely ours for the work that Jesus accomplished there. By faith, we can rest in the marvelous fact that He bore our sins so we do not have to. (Matthew 5:17; Hebrews 4:9-11; 1 Peter 2:24)

Yet, following rest, morning comes. In the early dawn we rise in faith, refreshed by the rest afforded by the finished work of the cross. Looking up from the empty tomb, we go forth in the power of the resurrection.

In what aspect of my living need I apply Jesus’s death? What sloth of spirit, what self-focus, what superior or self-righteous attitude has wrapped its tentacles around my thinking and doing, and needs to be extricated? What anger, bitterness, greed, need to control, should be put to rest? Look at the cross, the sealed tomb, and rest. It is finished! Then lift your eyes to the first day on the other side, and walk in the power of the Spirit of victory. Because of Jesus, this is mine to enjoy! (John 19:30; Galatians 5:16-17)

“If Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:10-11

Risen Lord, may my every breath, decision, action be controlled by the immeasurable greatness of the power You worked in Christ when You raised Him from the dead, to the glory of Your mighty, lofty name. (Ephesians 1:19-21)

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” “We have the prophetic word.., 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.” Numbers 6:24-26; Psalm 30:5; Luke 1:76-79; 2 Peter 1:19

Thick fog hugged the ground along the highway, sun turned periwinkle dark to creamy morn. I wondered at the low-lying cloud. Day springs early, and often begins slow in body, mind, and spirit. Our energy from the previous day was spent, and night, while resting the warm ground under sleep’s sweet dew, was short, so rising to greet a new day can be foggy, damp with concern, unclear.

But the sun always lift the fog. It takes some time for its rays to brighten the air, to penetrate the mist and re-warm the air above the earth it feeds with life-giving light. Eventually, sometimes imperceptively, the fog dissipates, and everything is clear. Sight is restored, for both near and far, and the chill of the unknown is vanquished.

The light of God’s word, His personal voice to us, may take some time to break through the spirit damp with suffering, sorrow, disappointment, confusion, anger, or malaise. The Savior’s presence in our moments and hours will not always be felt, or overwhelm with perceptible power. But our Lord in His mercy has come to visit us in His splendor and light. Regular, consistent drinking in of His living word will have its warming, uplifting effect over time, and God’s abiding presence will certainly infuse us (maybe slowly) with deep comfort, significance, joy, purpose, assurance. (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12)

As I hum along the highway of my day, will I slow down long enough to allow God’s light to burn for me and clearly light my path? When life is heavy and dim, will I prostrate myself and expose my every concern to the Son’s light, and stay until the fog lifts? Then may I sing with the morning.

Morning Star, rise in my heart and lift my fog this day. Burn Your truth into my mind and soul to remove any shroud of complacency and wandering. Clean clear away any disordered affections and detours from Your will, and restore proper vision and a whole heart, that Your glory is manifest in my every hour and my tongue sings Your praise.

“Solomon knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven, and said, ‘O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart... You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day. Now therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep what you have promised [David], saying, “You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me.” Now therefore, O Lord, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David.’

“‘If your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way you shall send them, and they pray to you toward this city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name, then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and maintain their cause. If they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to a land far or near…  if they repent with all their heart and with all their soul,.. then hear from heaven your dwelling place their prayer and their pleas, 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.’” 2 Chronicles 6:13-17,34-36,38-40

Solomon’s remarkable prayer in dedication of the temple is a pleading based on the promises and person of God. His own posture and stated position before the uncontainable Almighty is humble, yet his prayer is lofty and magnificent because of the enthroned One to Whom it was directed. His confidence? That God would maintain His people’s cause. The Rock, the Holy One, in any stumble, any battle, would uphold the sovereign cause of His people, and always make a way for His light and deliverance unto His ultimate purposes.

He does the same for us, and we can pray with assurance that His cause will prevail because His throne cannot be shaken. What He has purposed for us will come to pass. He keeps His word, and we can trust Him to maintain His particular plan in each of our lives. (Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 46:9-11)

Is there a behavior we have let slide, or a pattern of thinking that has strayed from God’s plumb? Would I turn back to Him? What present conundrum disturbs, or anticipated future challenge looms ahead, that should drive me to my knees and pray that God will maintain His will through it? Though we may wander, and circumstances change, though loved ones veer off course, and suffering abounds, God will always hear our earnest cries and work good for His own. (Psalm 51:1-4; Romans 8:28)

Good Father, I spread my hands to offer my pleas and receive Your blessed assurance that You will maintain Your cause in all things.