Author: astherainandsnow

“Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’” Psalm 29:1-9

The LORD’s voice can be imagined almost as a being here, powerful, effectual. It is anthropomorphized in this psalm, booming thunderous noise in the wild, causing destruction and birth, flashing fire. No man’s voice has such ability to create, move, transform, issue life… yet this is our God of gods. We not only hear His voice, but see the effects of it, like we see wind.

There are a myriad of voices we can choose to listen to at any time. Round the clock we can access entertainment, all types of media, and each has an effect on the way we think and perceive the world. Some people are louder than others, more persuasive. Some voices seem to hold greater strength of influence in our culture, backed in ‘substance’ only by public popularity, alluring speech, academic credentials, or enchanting looks.

But God’s voice is different than all these. It is distinct, unique. His voice that went out over the waters created all things with value and purpose. The voice of the Lord sings over His people in joyful love. His Word that was in the beginning is alive in the person of Jesus, and today works actively in the hearts of individuals. Who would knowingly, willfully reject this voice that has power for our lives? (Genesis 1:3-30; Zephaniah 3:17; John 1:1-4; Hebrews 4:12)

To what noise do I regularly tune my ears? To whose voice do I prefer to listen? Do my own ideas, music, audio books, pod cast teachings, news, current events, sports, fill up the majority of my ‘un-quiet?’ Or do I value, and intentionally tune in to, the powerful voice of God Almighty, to hear what He has to say, to learn of His ways, glean His wisdom, know His insights, receive His encouragement and guidance? Do I seek it? Recognize it? Take time and attention to listen to it? Marvel at it?

What need I change in order to listen, really listen well, to the powerful voice of the Lord? Imagine the difference His life-forming, change-effecting, wholly transforming voice could have in me, in my attitude, vision, ability, confidence, focus, fruitfulness, if it had its way.

Father, attune me to Your voice, and all it says and performs, that I might give You the glory due Your name.

“Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.’ And the word of the Lord came to him: ‘Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.’ So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.” 1 Kings 17:1-6

Announcing to the cruel King Ahab that his kingdom faced a long drought would not bring a happy reception, and God averted any backlash for His beloved prophet afterward by directing him to the safety and provision of the brook Cherith. We can hear the fresh waters trickle, sense the cool shade, and imagine the cheery birds winging Elijah’s sustenance to him twice a day, as on cue in a movie. Surely God knows the strain of our obedience to Him, and personally cares for our every need in every place. As clearly as He leads us to His determined paths and the challenges they hold, He leads also to places of refreshment and nourishment so we have strength for the next call.

Elijah then rose and trekked to Zarephath, where he saved the lives of a widow and her son. No assignment from his Lord was too trivial, and none went unsupplied. He could make frightening pronouncements in royal chambers, and he would minister to a poor widow. Listen, follow, trust, He will do the hard work, I am merely an agent.

How willing am I to obey my Lord’s hard commands? What excuses do I use to skirt them, change their requirements, or avoid receiving them altogether? How determined am I to escape to the Cheriths my God provides? Do I avoid them for fear of a new call that requires too much, that removes me from where I’d rather be, from comfort, from my plans? Do I neglect them because of busyness, because I have an insatiable need to get on with my day, my tasks, and have no time to go and hide and drink and wait for unseen spiritual food?

When we turn from listening to God and following through with what He asks of us, we miss being fed by ravens. We miss the quiet by still waters, and the supernatural, sufficient sustenance only God supplies. We never learn to cherish the Cheriths He prepares. Evading the Lord’s beckoning is evading the excitement of life surrendered to Him, the discovery of all He intends to give if only we would run to Him and trust Him. (Psalm 23:2-3; Philippians 4:19)

Giver of every gift, thank You for the Cheriths You graciously provide. May I ever draw away to hide with You there, take in Your good sustenance, and continue on in the next divine call You issue. (James 1:17)

 “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.” “And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way;.. they shall not go astray... The redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Psalm 84:5-7; Isaiah 35:8-10

Many roads are frenzied, filled with people rushing to get somewhere or nowhere fast, mental and metal traffic poking, edging along with edgy drivers. Road ribbons turn over underpasses, swoop around and along, wind from point to point along the way. We choose starting points and destinations, yet on the road, the journey is master.

Every day, all life long, we move along highways, whether tangible ones or those through the interior of our souls. We are never completely stagnant. Even if home-bound, or physically debilitated, we still have roads of the heart and mind that are traveled upon continually and sometimes wander. The ransomed of the Lord, whose hope is set on Zion, travel apart from the rest.

We live among them. Those whose destination is the Lord Himself have a different cadence, a unique joy, an unordinary, supernatural strength and unshakeable hope the world does not own, understand, or desire. When they traverse a valley of sorrow– and those vales can be dark, and long, and dry– they make it a place of springs, they find deep wells of peace that is other-worldly. Each day they trust for just enough, going by faith from strength to strength, steady, joyful, fixed on the ultimate end. Their perspective is eternal, their tempo divinely controlled. The way they take is not only known by God their Maker, but particularly designed and inscribed by His sovereign, gracious hand on their hearts to span all their numbered days. (Job 23:10; John 14:27)

The Way of Holiness, the Road of the Redeemed, is at times lonely, but always, always a highway of gladness. We can make it our byway, no matter our life path, because it is a road unlike any other, determined by submission to the all-wise Master Planner. Wherever my location, have I set the destination of my heart? What detours tempt and distract? Whatever my career path, my ministry, my place of residence, my ‘crowd,’ is my interior paved with pure motives, Spirit-led thinking, an undivided heart?

“Oh, to grace how great a debtor
daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee:
prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart, O take and seal it;
seal it for thy courts above.”  ~Robert Robinson (1758)

Good Master, in every place You lead me on this earth, keep me on Your Highway of Holiness, singing with joy Your highest praise.

“When the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed feasts, he who enters by the north gate to worship shall go out by the south gate, and he who enters by the south gate shall go out by the north gate: no one shall return by way of the gate by which he entered… When they enter, the prince shall enter with them, and when they go out, he shall go out.” Ezekiel 46:9-10

When we come to Almighty God in worship, we get up changed. We cannot spend time with Him and return to life the same way. Thoughtful moments in the presence of the Lord, the Prince of Peace, alter our perspective, motivations, mindset, and methods. We rise from worship and He abides with us, now different from the encounter.

Sometimes the changes are obvious and immediate: a new breath of patience, a lifting of the soul in hope, a cheerier disposition, kinder tone of voice, ready words that bless. Facing the Lord Who forgave, and held His tongue, and did not complain, and tended to His mother’s care on the cross, infuses with fresh mercy, self-control, vision of the bigger picture, compassion, and tenderness. Contemplating His suffering and limitless love for me expands my heart in gratitude and love back, and love mingled with understanding for others. For what changes in heart, in my actions and reactions, can I presently thank God? How does worship affect the way I see those around me in my family, community, workplace? The way they see me? How does it adjust my view of and attitude toward the media, the church, those in God-ordained authority over me?

Sometimes changes take longer, but regular and consistent time with the Lord gradually softens hardened attitudes, dissolves life-long prejudices, tugs softly at ingrained habits until I see them with new eyes, recognize their danger or folly, and am able to relinquish them once for all. Where am I sensing conviction, or new awareness of something awry, that I might ask God to bring about a holy exchange? In what areas do I need a generous dose of patience, persistence, and fortitude?

The beautiful truth in this short passage is that the Prince is present when we enter, and stays alongside as we exit the gate. We never go to worship and part from our King as a subject alone, on our own. Our communion from time in the temple is carried within and along the way, making every moment holy, all of life redeemed. (Matthew 28:20b; John 14:16,18)

Father, have Your way with me in worship that I am truly, significantly changed as a result. May I never leave my knees the same person, but always more like You, more clearly reflecting Your glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3)

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Who determined its measurements— Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?” “The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty! Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore.” Job 38:4-11; Psalm 93

The LORD reigns. Righteous, upright, stable, unshakeable, the King is enthroned on high, forever. He is regal, robed in majesty, authority, strength, might, perfection, and He is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting God. We cannot plumb His depths, we cannot measure the breadth of His love, we cannot contain His power, we cannot describe His splendor. What floods, what waters, what waves, can shake us when He, with absolute and perfect authority, rules over and above all? (1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 90:2; 103:11-12)

When I am flooded with anxiety, fears for the future or doubt of the unknown, the God Who is all-knowing and all-good cannot be shaken. When I am choking in the pressure of responsibilities, weary of another assignment, a harrowing test, a vicious attack, God is strong, Lord over the waters, Master over the boundaries of the seemingly-overwhelming sea. When engulfed by relentless torrents of grief, thinking I may never breathe normally again, the majestic King of life blows over the waves and stills the churning, sorrow-filled heart. When He says, ‘Peace, be still,’ no matter how deafening and tumultuous the flood’s roar, all can be at rest in the realm of my soul. (Mark 4:39)

“[May the] eyes of your hearts [be] enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” Ephesians 1:18-21

How will I go about knowing this King better?

Lord on High, enlighten my heart to grasp Your infinite greatness, and all it means for life here below. May every lesser god lose its luster.

“He said to them, ‘You give them something to eat.’ They said, ‘We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.’ For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, ‘Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.’ And they did so. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.” Luke 9:13-17

“It was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning.., no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:14-19

There is something bounteous and beautiful about the way God supplies for His own. He Who owns the cattle on 1000 hills could rain down all that lacks into every individual’s lap every day, for He knows our needs before we do, but He chooses to involve the hearts and hands of others to teach the wonder of His multiplication, the joy of sacrifice, and the exercise of generous living. Jesus, Who could do it Himself, said, “you do it,” inviting His people to participate in providing for the hungry crowds. Their leftovers were a remarkable visual aid to the satisfaction found in Christ alone. (Matthew 6:8; Psalm 50:10-12; 107:9)

In God’s economy, we can never out-give Him. He is all-sufficient to supply, and the Source of soul satisfaction. He presents opportunities, His Spirit prompts the heart, but we must exercise the will to uncurl our fingers and give. What we learn in opening the fist is a gladness in surrender we can know no other way. Giving out of our plenty is a worthy practice, giving sacrificially unites us intricately to Christ. How often do I forego a want or pleasure to donate to a need or pleasure of another? What item, hour, or resource am I willing to give up in order to help or bless another? Are there spending habits that need fine-tuning or a complete overhaul so I am less constrained in generosity? How does God want me to think differently about stewardship? (Malachi 3:8-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10)

Good Father, engage all my faculties to bring me to the place of genuine sacrificial giving, as You have done for me. Open my eyes to needs, my heart to love without measure, and my hands to give so others are satisfied and glorify You, from Whom all blessings flow. (1 Chronicles 29:11-14; Psalm 24:1; 2 Corinthians 9:11-13)

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross…Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:3-8,12-15

This is a hard calling, a difficult obedience. Do nothing from self-interest? No thinking myself deserving, no competition, no putting myself first, no claiming my rights? I might be able to treat others unselfishly, but truly count them as more significant than myself? Who can do this? How?

Look up to Christ Jesus, the perfect example, in the cross. Empty myself of personal agenda and grow in His. Develop the mind of Christ by ongoing reverent submission to the One Who works the attitude and impulse and willingness in us. Look out to others. Set aside pride to serve with humility, exchange selfish complaining and arguing for blameless, uplifting talk that honors God’s good pleasure. Jesus plants in us His resurrection power that raises us above self and its default self-centered proclivities to shine in a dark world. (Philippians 3:10)

Working out such humility in the every day involves relinquishing rights, privileges that are mine by way of position or name, for the sake of others– step back in line, let another go first. It requires adjustments in conversation– invite another’s opinions and preferences, listen, give in to their wants for their delight; keep silent the last word. It always involves serving- do for others before self, as a young wife told me she ‘ironed her husband’s shirts first.’ Spend time to care for the lonely, expend energy and resources to meet practical needs, smooth the path for another’s benefit, drive the extra mile even when it’s inconvenient.

Jesus laid down His life for me, He endured the cross for the more significant joy of my salvation. He plants in us His Spirit, and calls us to have His mind, attitude, and humility. Only He can free me from preferring myself to consider others more significant, and live the crucified with Christ in the way I treat them. (1 Corinthians 2:12,16; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 12:2)

Lord, teach me to make myself nothing because You are everything, and everything to me. Plant in me Your mind that takes no thought for self but genuinely prefers others. May I live in such a way that Jesus shines through, daily laying down my life that Yours be known and experienced.

“So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, ‘You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.’ And he set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. Then this thing became a sin, for the people went as far as Dan to be before one. He also made temples on high places and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not of the Levites. And Jeroboam appointed a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month like the feast that was in Judah, and he offered sacrifices on the altar. So he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he made. And he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places that he had made. He went up to the altar that he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, in the month that he had devised from his own heart. And he instituted a feast for the people of Israel and went up to the altar to make offerings.” 1 Kings 12:28-33

Fearing competition to his power, the misguided, prophet-appointed, self-promoted Jeroboam, king of the northern kingdom, sought poor counsel. He liked what he heard, and foolishly set up gold calves in his region so his people would not pilgrimage to Jerusalem and maybe defect. He proclaimed them Israel’s deliverers, clouding Israel’s perception of the Almighty, then got on a roll supporting his false gods and instituted his own plan of religious practice. “Any who would, he ordained to be priests.” (1 Kings 11:26-40; 13:33)

Fear and self-interest are dangerous ruiners of worship, tainting pure motives and introducing false gods to replace the only One rightly to be feared. Pride spreads its tentacles to infect and take over sound reason, turning our thinking inward, elevating our devising to trump God’s rule, making much of our opinions and preferences to the point we no longer consider the Lord’s. Worship gone bad is no real worship at all. We’re called to worship in Spirit and truth, and Jeroboam stripped both away. When we do as we see fit, what is right in our own eyes, we crowd out the Holy One and His ways, to the detriment of ourselves and those we influence. (Judges 17:6; 21:5; John 4:24)

Where have I let slide true worship, my swaggering spirit replacing God’s pure one? Are there areas where I have let self-interest rule my affections, a relentless desire to control captivate my emotions and reason? In what places of ease, or comfort, or pleasure, have I constructed altars, afraid or unwilling to surrender them to God’s appointments? Do I sincerely seek His paths and patterns, or ask Him to bless mine? What false worship habits have I adopted that need removal and replacement?

One True LORD, Lion of Judah, You alone are greatly to be praised, worshiped above all worthless gods. May I ever seek Your counsel, behold Your beauty, submit to Your rule of my every device, moment, place, and offering. To You alone belong my allegiance, and all glory. (Psalm 96:4-5; Luke 4:8; Revelation 5:5)

“‘Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?’ It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.'” “And King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked besides what was given her by the bounty of King Solomon. So she turned and went back to her own land with her servants.” “You received without paying; give without pay.” 1 Kings 3:9-13; 10:13; Matthew 10:8

There are many cogent observations and lessons from the story of the Queen of Sheba’s visit to King Solomon. While it is easy to focus on her response to him, it is inspiring also to note that he who had received much was quick and generous to give. When he was young, inexperienced, and overwhelmed, Solomon had asked for wisdom and understanding from his Lord, and received that and much more. He learned that his God was not only able to do more than he asked, but delighted to do so, and generously. Solomon displayed his gratitude for this bounty from his God by paying it forward. He who had received much knew much was expected from him, and it became his nature to lavish others with great largesse. (Luke 12:48; Ephesians 3:20)

When we acknowledge that all we have is only a stewardship, we are not only freed to give generously, but desirous to. When we realize that all fruitfulness flows from a vital relationship with Jesus, we can pour out as He directs, and even look for opportunity, in His joy and love. If what is ‘mine’ is really His, then my question every morning will be, “What will You have me do with Your bounty today?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)

What do I hoard that has been entrusted to my care? My home, my time, my energy?Where am I skimpy in loving to others from the wealth lavished on me– of resources, energy, knowledge, compassion, mercy, love?

“Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

“Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne.”  ~Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)

Father, You have given so much. Open my heart and hands and life for others. Please make me a giver as generous and gracious and willing as You, that others see Your glorious benevolence and give You the honor and praise You alone deserve.

“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving… Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light  (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret… And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:4,6-12,18-20

Our world is full of words, and the input we get from both media and mingling often presents an onslaught of crude and meaningless chatter to which we must respond. Some will sink in by osmosis, some we cannot turn off, none can we ‘un-hear,’ but we can choose to change the subject.

The filthy and foolish are “out of place;” we may not always be able to abandon their ‘place,’ but can resolve not to let them take up residence in ours. Give no attention, guard mental barriers, lift our focus instead to thanksgiving to God. There is nothing so powerful as gratitude to fill in and fill up our brains with good. Empty words breed deception, and we must turn from their darkness to light, from falsehood and waste to truth and substance, from filling our minds with the trivial and meaningless to practiced discernment of what honors God. He calls us to change the subject of our interests, from voyeuristic intrigue over tidbits of salacious information and the debauchery of others, to contemplation of His loveliness, from the trickling of gossip from our mouths to filling them to overflow with the music of praise and thanks.

Where do I need to turn a corner to change the subject? If my mind goes dark, to places unpleasing to God by way of criticism, or comparisons, or self-loathing, or prurient interests, will I deliberately re-focus my thoughts to things above and the light of truth? When complaining and criticism creep in, and out, will I replace that thinking and spitting with melodious thanks? When conversation goes raunchy, what words will I use to elevate it, to offer a new and wholesome and more interesting subject? When demeaning banter begins, how will I change gears and direction to upbuild others, to affirm value? (Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:1-2)

Living Word, give me wisdom, and fortitude, and practical help, to change the subject when called for. Guide my thinking and my mouth’s responses to all I hear, that I might cause others to consider, and give thanks to, You.