Author: astherainandsnow

“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel.  I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak. I will rescue my flock. I will make with them a covenant of peace… so that they may dwell securely… and none shall make them afraid… And they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them, and that they are my people. You are my sheep, and I am your God.” Ezekiel 34:11-16,22,25,28,30-31

If He will, then He has full capacity to undertake for the how and when. If He promises, then He has to power and will to fulfill His pledge. If He vows, He is able and ready and committed. If He will, then I can trust Him, and rest in His word.  If He will, then I need not.

Ezekiel has just prophesied against false, greedy, self-serving shepherds, and now he turns to comfort the hungry, weak, sick, injured, strayed, lost, and scattered whom they had stranded. His repeated “I will”s drive home and magnify the lavish kindness and powerful love that back every word from almighty God’s mouth. Sovereign God so orders our lives, and all He does in response to our circumstances, to show forth His glorious character in the way He tenaciously pursues and provides for us, that we will know Him. He will not leave us abandoned and wanting any longer than is necessary to teach us Who He is, and that we are His. Ofttimes misery, desolation, and exile are tasted in order for us to recognize the goodness and grace-initiated rescue of the one true God.

“[The shepherd] calls his own sheep by name and leads them out… He goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice… I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” John 10:3,14

What iniquities hold me in slavery? What bitter or sour attitudes, what agony or lack, cloud my ability to love and serve well? Jesus knows my everything, and has pledged to lead me out to freedom and abundance. Will I choose to know Him by following Him as my Shepherd? (John 10:10)

Good Shepherd, teach me to trust Your promises and follow Your voice, and so know You.

“As for you, son of man, your people who talk together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, say to one another, each to his brother, ‘Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the Lord.’ And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it. When this comes—and come it will!—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” “The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth.” Ezekiel 33:30-33; 2 Timothy 4:3-4

A headline yesterday read: Both Sides Seem to Have Their Own Truth. Those to whom Ezekiel prophesied were titillated by what he said, gathering together in a spirit of camaraderie to listen, yet his words, given directly by God, fell on stiffened necks that upheld closed ears. They paid no heed to what was really being said. Their minds were pre-programmed by greed, so they heard only what they wanted to hear to suit their lust for gain. They had already created their own ‘truth.’ Self- absorption and determination have a way of coloring all we see and hear, at times closing off any counter-thought altogether.

Over six centuries after Ezekiel, Governor Felix and his wife Drusilla repeatedly sent for the apostle Paul, who was in custody, conversing often in hope of a bribe, but squirming at the first hint of conviction, ultimately paying no heed to his clear testimony about Jesus. Felix’s successor Festus invited King Agrippa with his wife Bernice to hear Paul, and they came with great pomp but listened half-heartedly, wanting to be entertained but unwilling to open themselves to full belief. Paul warned against these ‘itching ears’ with an admonition to stay true to the word at all times, in all company. (Acts 24:24-26; 25:22-26:28)

As the modern headline illustrates, the desire and tendency to determine our own ‘truth’ is still prevalent today. If God’s truth does not fit my agenda, if it stifles my passion, or discomfits my coveted view, then I need not pay attention. It is merely ‘another’ truth, one I can dismiss because my own self-crafted version suits me better. This dangerous habit undermines the foundation of God’s sovereign authority and distorts our understanding of His right to establish truth in Jesus. (John 14:6)

What attitude needs confessing, what selfish propensity needs be set aside, in order to hear with a pure heart and align my thinking and doing with God’s inerrant Word?

Father, incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Teach me to listen well, to discern truth, and to delight in and heed all You say. (Psalm 119:33-36)

“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart.” “You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?” Exodus 15:11; 1 Kings 8:23; Psalm 71:19

“I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.” Isaiah 45:5-7

It is our bent to compare, to line up experiences with others we have had before, to liken new places and events to others we have known, and measure ourselves against other people in appearance and performance. But when we gaze at Almighty God, all attempts at comparison fall away. There is no one or power or feeling or god that can even begin to compare with the eternal King of kings. Beholding Him fixes our focus above ties to our surroundings and elevates our consciousness beyond the temporal. His alone is the greatness and power and glory and majesty and victory. (1 Chronicles 29:10-13)

Nothing on earth can supply lasting satisfaction of the heart, the instant of being given the right thing to say, the invisible and palpable comfort of knowing you are being carried in the deepest of grief. Who or what else can providentially orchestrate the overhearing of a conversation that leads to new friendship or meeting of a need, can bind hearts together in Christian love, can amaze with hope that calms the agonized soul? Is there any other power that is perfectly holy, infinitely loving, completely sufficient?

In the chaos of activity and emotion, the pressure of responsibilities, the spinning and limits of time, where do we look for order, help, resolution? When we feel frenzied of heart, confused at direction, fearful in the darkness of a diagnosis or suddenly-altered future, or weighed down with care, would we turn to the incomparable, omniscient One Who upholds, sustains, calms, and leads with light? When weak, incapable, wounded, spent, to whom or what do we go? Only God is strong, omnipotent, Jehovah Rapha the Healer, Lord Sabbath of rest. There is none like Him. (Deuteronomy 33:27; Isaiah 41:10; John 14:27)

Mighty, indescribable God, Whose name is above every name, captivate my thoughts and my every affection. Guard me from even subconsciously trusting anything or anyone as a better solution, shepherd, solace, or satisfaction. Wrench me away from comparisons against others to worship the incomparable You with all that I am. (Philippians 2:9)

“The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me; his word is on my tongue.” “He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God.” “The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.” 2 Samuel 23:2; Psalm 78:5-7;  Isaiah 50:4

Before the Scriptures were written and complete, God’s word was passed on orally. The God Who made our mouths intended that they be used for His testimony, that His story and truth might be understood, that He might be known and praised, that all peoples might have hope and life through His living word. As His Spirit inhabited His word all along, it does so today when He teaches us, then when He speaks by us as we open our mouths to tell His law and works. His is the power, ours the willing tongues.

What deters us from proclaiming His deeds? What discourages us from delivering His word that sustains the weary? What prevents our readiness and willingness to be His mouthpiece? If morning by morning we must listen in order to be taught and filled, what keeps us from prioritizing that time and attention to Him?

“But Moses said to the Lord, ‘Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?  Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.’” Exodus 4:10-12

Even mighty Moses felt inadequate, faltering at God’s command to go and speak. Yet, he kept communing with Him, and learned over the years that his God was enough, that He Who called was He Who was faithful to enable and perform. Would we so trust and obey our all-sufficient God? (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

“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 fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory.”  ~Keith Getty and Stuart Townend  (2005)

Father, speak to me and loosen my tongue to pass on Your life-giving word. Guard my tongue from excess or empty talk, direct my words to be Yours. Speak by me to give hope, comfort, and sustenance to all I meet.

“Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. You split open springs and brooks; you dried up ever-flowing streams. Yours is the day, yours also the night; you have established the heavenly lights and the sun. You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter.” Psalm 74:12,15-17

We just passed through the summer equinox, “the instant of time when the plane of Earth’s equator passes through the center of the sun,” when fall begins and day and night are the same length. I am humbled with the realization that in the bright times in our lives, and the dark times, our God the King reigns in absolute perfection, ordering both day and night. The Designer, Architect, and Engineer of the spinning earth and all the universe brings balance to every life, filling them with a variety of experiences to teach us about His sovereignty and care. He is Lord of all that is light, uplifting, and hopeful, as well as all that is thick dark, untenable, and sorrowful. He rules over feast and famine, flowing streams and drought, glad satisfaction and gnawing longing.

What difference does this make for us? We are told by the world that if God is love, He wants only health and happiness for us, yet Scriptures’ truth is to the contrary: “This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” The Creator of the universe has ordained both day and night because we need them. We need them in order to function well, to be exposed to life-giving sunlight and for rest at night. We need them in order to know God, to be sanctified to be like Jesus. We need them to learn compassion, to keep us from becoming proud, and to teach us full dependence on Christ’s sufficiency- both on our behalf and in His suffering and death on the cross. (2 Corinthians 4:17; 12:7-10; Ephesians 4:32; 2 Timothy 3:12)

So when our path is smooth and pleasant, we will be thankful. And when it is dim and rough, we can be thankful also. God orders one as well as the other to form the whole of our character and lives, ever present on our journey, gracing our joys and redeeming our hardships. “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” We need not fear, we are never alone. “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Romans 5:3-5; 2 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Peter 5:10; Revelation 2:10;  Psalm 30:5)

King of all, this is Your day, and Yours will be the night. May I rejoice and be glad in them, even as I rejoice in You. (Psalm 118:24)

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:34-40

So much in our lives pushes us to work and do for credit, for self-advantage. We are taught, advised, and constantly media-reminded to get and enjoy what we deserve, to put ourselves first and forward, to build our resume, to get involved because it makes us feel good, to see and be seen with the important, the influencers, those who can give some benefit back. There is something beautifully refreshing about ‘those on the king’s right’ who do not even realize they have served Him in their generosity to ‘the least of these.’ Their passion was captivated by the poor, needy, and disenfranchised, their motive simply to do the right thing, their caring and giving a natural outflow of loving hearts that knew mercy well enough to spill it out for others. This is service that pleases God. There is no thought for self, for what it costs, for who would notice. The selfless acts toward those who cannot repay find favor with Him because they mirror His for us.

Jesus paid a debt for us we owed, and can never repay. He calls us to do likewise, in His name. When we grasp the immensity and completeness of His gift to us, we not only want to give in return, but His life in us makes it natural. We welcome Him to take our life reins, and He takes possession of and transforms our deepest instincts. (Matthew 20:28; Galatians 2:20; 1 Timothy 2:6)

“When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.”  ~Isaac Watts (1707)

Bountiful King, remind me regularly that You, not I, inhabit my life’s throne. As I go about my day may I forget all but You, and so live that my hands extend Your love, my lips speak Your life-giving truth, my life pulses with your compassion and grace.

“We want you to know about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,  for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means,.. and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— …they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us… But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich… You started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-5,7-12

Paul weaves truth principles into his cogent call for action, giving them punch and possibility. He is quick to commend the Corinthian church for their exercise of faith, speech, knowledge, and earnestness, but will not let them settle for doing only what comes naturally. Bolstered by the example of Jesus, and the church in Macedonia, he says ‘excel also in this.’ Would they be willing to step out in new possibilities? To give when they might prefer to keep, to entrust their little to God Who of that can make much? (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2; Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38; John 6:1-14)

You mean I do not do enough, Lord? Haven’t all my efforts, my service, my reaching out, my donations, been adequate? Instead of looking at our pile of goodness, and cozying into the fluffed pillows of personal ease, we are reminded in this passage to break out of what is comfortable and regular and ‘enough,’ and make a new routine of going beyond. The Macedonians, and Jesus, delighted in giving, in great affliction, for others’ sakes. Would we so open ourselves to a new, ample measure of grace, an intentional fulfilling of every God-given intention? Our challenge is to go farther and give more than what our flesh would limit, to excel in acting on the Lord’s inspired promptings, no matter how hard, no matter our dearth. What will it take to step out in unbridled willingness to be used, and to trust? Is there a new skill He would have us learn, a greater amount He would have us give? Is He calling us to a different pathway, ministry, or role, that stretches us?

Lord, beyond my means is always within Yours. Trusting Your supply, may I excel in every act of grace You have called me to give and do, for Your sake and glory. (Philippians 4:19)

“My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you? You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.” Psalm 71:15-21

Many times a day, we make decisions based on what we know to be true, assumptions  on what has transpired before. We interact with others according to how we know them to be and act, we choose places of business because of records and reviews. The psalmist here is replete with first-hand experience of his God’s righteous acts, deeds of salvation, mighty and wondrous deeds, and it is upon these that he lives, rejoices, proclaims God’s power to others, and trusts for his present and future. ‘Because You have done all these good kindnesses through my life, and because Your character remains the same, revive me, bring me up, comfort me again.’

How often do we take time to recount the mighty works of God? Would we take sleepless nights, or quiet moments during a day, and turn our thoughts to recall God’s righteous acts in our lives, His deeds of salvation? How He changed our heart of stone to one of flesh, opening our eyes that were blind, recreating us in Christ? The times He protected us from harmful situations or choices, answered specific prayer for wisdom, words, or strength, or directed us at a crossroads? (Ezekiel 36:26; John 9:25; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

And once remembering myself, how readily do I pass along the wonder of these deeds? Do I make a point of telling of His goodness to loved ones, colleagues, those the Lord has placed in my life for more than just cursory acquaintance? My faith grows when tested and repeated, and the more I speak of God’s faithfulness, the more real it is to me. As the psalmist implies, a life steeped in the marvels of God is one that spills over in life-giving grace and truth to others, is one that counts on God’s character and intervention over and over, again and again.

So when I see troubles and calamities, and as I grow to old age and gray hair, when I face disappointment or rejection, or deal with physical pain or effects of aging, I can look to the Lord God Who does not fail, and trust His revival, His encouragement, His consolation, again.

There is none like You, my Lord. May I never cease to count on You to do again what You have done before. Keep me singing Your praises and telling Your deeds, for Your glory, laud, and honor.

“Then Amnon said to Tamar, ‘Bring the food into the chamber, that I may eat from your hand.’ And Tamar took the cakes she had made and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.  But when she brought them near him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, ‘Come, lie with me, my sister.’ She answered him, “No, my brother, do not violate me..; do not do this outrageous thing… But he would not listen to her, and being stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her. Then Amnon hated her with very great hatred, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, ‘Get up! Go!’ When King David heard of all these things, he was very angry. But Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad, for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had violated his sister Tamar… ‘Absalom has struck down [Amnon].’ ..And David mourned for his son day after day. So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years. And the spirit of the king longed to go out to Absalom, because he was comforted about Amnon, since he was dead..” “Let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” 2 Samuel 13:10-12,14-15,21-22,30,32,37-39; 2 Corinthians 7:1

The vestiges of passion-gone-wild in David trickled down to his sons, and sadly, when untempered and undisciplined, in ways that would bring deep dissension and heartbreak to the family and nation. Amnon’s sexual desire deemed “love” grew uncontrolled, and fueled, rather than checked, by his cousin, brought shame and brokenness upon his half-sister Tamar, even as it immediately flared in hatred toward her. Anger and bitter vengefulness then grew in her brother Absalom. This went unchecked by their father David, who, though aware of what had transpired, probably struggled in knowing what to do since he had been guilty (yet forgiven) of the same unbridled passion. After two years of fomenting rage, Absalom arranged for Amnon’s murder, then fled in fear (and guilt?), triggering more mourning, separation, eventual divisiveness whose stain would linger through generations.

At any one point, the Lord calls out ‘Come, cleanse yourself! Turn! You are Mine!’ But caught up in the fury of passion, whatever the cause or object, we get muddied our ability to think rightly, and undependable emotions take control. Our ears fail to hear His invitation because of louder rage, our wills so tenaciously cling to rights, defenses, lusts, that we react rather than reasonably respond. Roots of bitterness and self-will are dangerous culprits in determining our life-course, and when not yanked out of our heart-soil, will wreak havoc with relationships and inner peace. (Matthew 13:20-22; Hebrews 12:15)

Where has the gift of passion gone astray, creeping into places where it ought not rule? Would we daily ask God to search, dig, redirect? “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24)

Great Lord, may my only unchecked passion be for Thee. Pull out all my stops in loving, rejoicing in, serving, and honoring You, King of kings.

“In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel… But David remained at Jerusalem. It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, ‘Is not this Bathsheba,.. the wife of Uriah the Hittite?’  So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. Then she returned to her house. And the woman conceived, and she sent and told David, ‘I am pregnant.’ ..But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord. And the Lord sent Nathan to David.” 2 Samuel 11:1-5,27-12:1

“Therefore I will judge you, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.” Ezekiel 18:30-32

David was brilliant in his element as a military strategist, and went out of his way in diplomacy and kindness to others. But he also let spare time, his ‘right to a day off,’ get the best of his sin nature. With one turn of taking it easy, and one lustful look, the widely-respected king started a downward spiral that resulted in adultery, betrayal, deception, and murder. God in His mercy made him miserable, and extended an invitation He extends all through scripture, to which David would RSVP with repentance. (2 Samuel 12:1-13; Psalm 32:3-5)

R.S.V.P. Repondez s’il vous plait. “Respond if you please.” God’s grand invitation comes to us in daily choices. With every fleshly urge, mind game, morsel of gossip, ease of a lie, we choose how to respond. Jesus says Come. Turn. Cast it away. Flee the devil. Don’t even begin to step on the path of death. Many devices, entertainments, idols, and philosophies, are vying for our attention, and to heed the prophets’ warning is to stop, listen well, consider, and boldly RSVP “Yes” to Jesus. I will choose You, I will follow Your ways and not those of the world. Emotions and fatigue lure us to doubt, despondency, comparison, fear, confusion, anxiety, and when these feelings run amok,  distorting our thinking and arousing unhealthy actions, we can RSVP to the Lord of lords, “Yes.” I accept that You love me, You made me for high purposes, You died in my place and redeemed me unto everlasting life, hope, and peace that is unlike anything the world gives. What makes us tarry and not respond? (John 10:10; 14:27; James 4:7)

“Come, ye sinners, poor and needy
Weak and wounded, sick and sore
Jesus ready, stands to save you
Full of pity, love and power

I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms.”  ~Joseph Hart (1759)

Father, at every beckoning of the world, may I turn to RSVP to You instead.