Author: astherainandsnow

“The lot of the tribe of the people of Benjamin came up, and the territory allotted to it fell between the people of Judah and the people of Joseph. On the north side their boundary began at the Jordan. Then the boundary goes up to the shoulder north of Jericho, then up through the hill country westward, and it ends at the wilderness of Beth-aven. From there the boundary passes along southward in the direction of Luz, to the shoulder of Luz, then down to Ataroth-addar, on the mountain that lies south of Lower Beth-horon. Then the boundary goes in another direction, turning on the western side southward from the mountain that lies to the south, and it ends at Kiriath-baal. The southern side begins at the outskirts of Kiriath-jearim. And the boundary goes from there to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah. Then the boundary goes down to the border of the mountain that overlooks the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, which is at the north end of the Valley of Rephaim. And it then goes down the Valley of Hinnom, south of the shoulder of the Jebusites, and downward to En-rogel. Then it bends in a northerly direction going on to En-shemesh, and from there goes to Geliloth, which is opposite the ascent of Adummim. Then it goes down to the stone of Bohan, and passing on to the north of the shoulder of Beth-arabah it goes down to the Arabah. Then the boundary passes on to the north of the shoulder of Beth-hoglah, and ends at the northern bay of the Salt Sea, at the south end of the Jordan: this is the southern border. The Jordan forms its boundary on the eastern side. This is the inheritance of the people of Benjamin, according to their clans, boundary by boundary all around.” Joshua 18:11-20

Not knowing the map of ancient Israel well, it intrigues me how detailed the descriptions of the tribes’ geographical boundaries are. Just as their inheritances, their mountains and valleys and views and bodies of water, were specific and measured, so are the boundaries of our lives. Every aspect of our experience– life-source, exhilaration, sorrow, relationships/neighbors– is fashioned and doled out by our all-knowing, benevolent God. While our lives intersect with others’, each has his own unique content, edges, and perspective.

There should be great comfort, and hope, and satisfaction, in recognizing the hand of our sovereign LORD in determining our lives’ boundaries. He orders every change, battle, deficiency, heartache, conundrum, adjustment, and ecstasy, that right where we are, we would seek, know, and delight in Him. “He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God.” Rather that resist our place, or what comes our way, we can, in this knowledge, rest in where He has us. (Acts 17:26-27)

Do I complain, chafe, covet, compare? Looking only unto the Lord, will I instead say with conviction, “The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”? (Psalm 16:6)

Good Father, may I honor You by taking joy in the boundary lines You have fixed for me.

“Then the people of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, ‘Why have you given me but one lot and one portion as an inheritance, although I am a numerous people, since all along the Lord has blessed me?’ And Joshua said to them, ‘If you are a numerous people, go up by yourselves to the forest, and there clear ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.’ The people of Joseph said, ‘The hill country is not enough for us. Yet all the Canaanites who dwell in the plain have chariots of iron, both those in Beth-shean and its villages and those in the Valley of Jezreel.’ Then Joshua said to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, ‘You are a numerous people and have great power. You shall not have one allotment only, but the hill country shall be yours, for though it is a forest, you shall clear it and possess it to its farthest borders. For you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.’” Joshua 17:14-17

In the allotment of the land, Joseph’s double tribes, Ephraim and Manasseh, felt they did not have enough, according to their size, and asked Joshua for more. Their sage leader said, ‘You take it. If you are large enough to need it, you are capable of doing what it takes to possess it.’ This was not a dismissive ‘Do it yourself and stop whining,’ nor was it a misguided ‘You can do anything you put your mind to, be anything you want to be.’ Joshua was a leader extraordinaire who knew God’s sure promises and depended on Him for the insight and skill both to seize them and to dole them out. He genuinely ‘encouraged’ his people, instilling divine courage based on his Lord’s word to them.

What are chariots of iron and numerous men’s strength against the power of the Almighty? “You are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Do we get so delusional in our perspective, so immersed in the horizontal world, that we trust in our man-made chariots and horses over the omnipotent Name of the LORD our God? (1 John 4:4; Psalm 20:7)

Where am I whining, ‘This is too hard, another’s fault, another’s responsibility’? “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Or where, if I am zealous to take the land, am I so enamored with myself that I trust my smarts, my plan, my efforts, without weighing in on God’s wisdom, direction, and supply? Have I slipped into thinking everything is up to me– the success of my work, the salvation of my loved ones, the changing of hearts, maturing of minds, provision for others’ needs, progress of my intentions? Will I step back and take thought with my Lord, seek His guidance, rely on His strength, and go forth at His command alone?

Lord, keep me tenacious, and wise, in taking hold of Your promises. May I never shirk my responsibility in possessing, delighting in, and sharing the gifts You bestow.

“The people of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. And Caleb said to him, ‘You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart. But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the Lord my God. And Moses swore on that day, saying, “Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.” And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old.  I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming. So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.’ Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb for an inheritance. Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel… And Caleb drove out from there the descendants of Anak.” Joshua 14:6-14; 15:14

Faithful Caleb had spent over half his life patiently looking to God’s promise, trusting it to be true, and at the right time he requested its fulfillment. This is a beautiful picture of faith exercised, unwavering over the years, and now grasping what was assured him.

The scriptures are full of promises to us that we let lie fallow, out of either ignorance, lack of faith, or an over-consumption with self and our own efforts at winning and achieving our own successes. I am inspired by Caleb in that he never lost sight of the land committed to him, and was willing to wait to possess it– the promise was as sure as accomplished, and kept him steady through the decades, taking one step at a time, tuned in to God’s perfect timing. As his physical strength had not waned, neither had his zeal for God’s gift to him.

Do I take time to search the scriptures for God’s rich promises to me of strength, wisdom, guidance, provision, peace, hope? And then, do I claim them in grateful, expectant prayer, thus honoring the trustworthiness of the One Who offers and delights to give? Am I willing to let go of my stubborn control and penchant to make things happen myself, to exercise faith by deliberately, actively trusting God to bring about what He says He will? (1 Chronicles 29:12; Psalm 32:8; Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 6:33; 7:7; John 16:33; Romans 15:13; Philippians 4:6-7)

Lord, You are bountiful, able, and trustworthy. Grant me faith to possess all You have promised to give, that You alone are magnified.

“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken,  smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” “The other disciples told [Thomas], ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.’ Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” Isaiah 53:4-6; John 20:25-28

Captivated by the ragged scar on the rock face, wondering at its cause, my mind turns to the nail scarred hands. The closer we climbed, the more angles of light that exposed the jagged edges of riven rock, I could not help but think of my Rock of ages, cleft for me, the immovable Rock upon which my faith is established, the Rock and Redeemer Whose side was split for me, His blood and water washing my sins away and freeing me from the tyranny of transgression, temptation. What a Savior! (1 Samuel 2:2; Psalm 18:2,46; John 19:34; 1 John 5:6)

So why do I shrink from pain that brings scars? Do I choose soft quilted cushions over the fray, unwilling to bear shame and agony my Savior bore for me? Do I retreat from speaking or defending truth to hide behind a protective curtain of ignorance or acquiescence? Am I above identifying with Him? He Who holds me in His nail-scarred hands is He Who is sufficient for all things, including pain and suffering. He redeems every sorrow, making beautiful every scar to reflect His mercy and glory. (Isaiah 49:16)

“Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned.
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And piercèd are the feet that follow Me.
But thine are whole; can he have followed far
Who hast no wound or scar?”  ~Amy Carmichael (1867-1951)

Good Master, free me from a penchant to love ‘softening things, easy choices, weakenings,’ anything that would promote a ‘silken self’ over being a warrior for Thee who welcomes scars that share the marks of my Savior.

“And behold, a man came up to him, saying, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘All these I have kept. What do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” Matthew 19:16-22

Isn’t this our natural bent, to think we can earn God’s favor? In the flesh, we want to ‘do,’ and by doing so control our destiny, define our standing with God Almighty. We want to contribute to the ‘extravagant enough.’ Jesus puts this wrong thinking to naught by answering the inquisitive, prideful man’s question with another question, and turning his conclusions inside out. Eternal life is not based on a ‘what,’ but a ‘Who,’ and only when this rich man understands that giving up all he has amassed and held onto, yielding his methods to the Savior’s way of sacrifice, will he grasp the true cost of this gift of grace. Salvation is won by the Who of Jesus, not the what of man. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Where am I placing too high a view of my works, my offering, before the Holy One? It is not that we are to neglect God’s commands, as Jesus says here, but the danger is when we think they notch us up a bit before Him, and when pride seeps in, before others too. A mind that comprehends all is of His grace, that the work of life is the work of the Cross, is one whose resulting actions are performed in humble gratitude, out of lavish thankfulness and adoration; the difference is obvious to the observing eye. When we go away sad, thinking we’ve been put down because we weren’t quite enough, or we smugly take credit for our generosity or time given on another’s behalf, either is a position of thinking too much of ourselves, and draws attention to me. But, when we are caught up in the Savior’s ultimate gift to us of Himself, every breath, every response, is a luxurious offering to Him; the focus and heartbeat of our lives is the great Redeemer. (Romans 12:3)

In the way I go about my days, the words I use, the conversations I entertain, am I lifting high myself, or Jesus? Will I surrender my whats into the nail-scarred hands of my glorified Who?

“Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world adore His sacred Name. ~George William Kitchin (1887)

Sufficient Savior, hide my works in Thee. May my living be a reflection of Your life and death for me, to the praise of Your great name and grace.

“About three thousand men went [from Jericho to Ai]… and the men of Ai killed about thirty-six of their men and chased them as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. And the hearts of the people melted and became as water. Then Joshua said, ‘Alas, O Lord God, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us?’ The Lord said to Joshua,.. ‘Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. Get up! Consecrate the people.’

“Then Joshua said to Achan, ‘My son, give glory to the Lord. Tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.’ And Achan answered Joshua, ‘Truly I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and this is what I did: when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath…’ And Joshua said, ‘Why did you bring trouble on us? The Lord brings trouble on you today.’” Joshua 7:4-5,7,10-13,19-21,25

‘Just a beautiful cloak- what difference could that make? Oh, and a little (5 lbs) silver and (20oz) gold. But we took care of the people and captured the city; I did what you said.’ Yet Achan’s impulsive decision to transgress God’s clear command to “destroy the devoted things” and place any silver and gold as holy to the LORD into His treasury, by keeping some of Jericho’s treasure for himself, brought death to three dozen of his brothers. By taking these things in secret and hiding them, Achan assumed his choice was harmless, invisible, but God sees all and knows the rebel heart. He uncovers deceit and will not stand for sin that pollutes His people. (Numbers 32:23; Joshua 6:17-19; Jeremiah 2:19; Hebrews 3:13)

Do my choices exalt God, or not? Do my expenditures, advice, leisure activities promote His will, or mine? Are there decisions I’m ashamed to reveal, and try to bury under a calm facade, a devious explanation, a meaningless excuse, or blaming another? Where has my neglect, hurry, flippant untruth, or deceit diminished my resolve and become the example emulated by those I influence, for their detriment? How have my careless words, disdain, or criticisms hurt others, harmed a relationship, broken a tender spirit, or stained another’s reputation? “Have you not brought this upon yourself by forsaking the Lord your God, when he led you in the way?” How thoughtful am I before making intentional choices of word and deed? When we and others do suffer from lingering consequences of earlier, forgiven sin, we can trust God to heal over time and to use the hurt for ultimate good. (Jeremiah 2:17)

Father, I repent of my ungodly choices that have adversely affected me, others, and Your great Name. May I thoughtfully bring all I do and say to You, and work and serve always as unto You, for Your renown and glory. (Proverbs 3:5-6; Colossians 3:17,23-24)

“But Sihon the king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him… And the Lord said to me, ‘Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land over to you. Begin to take possession, that you may occupy his land.’ Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Jahaz. And the Lord our God gave him over to us, and we defeated him and his sons and all his people. From Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and from the city that is in the valley, as far as Gilead, there was not a city too high for us. The Lord our God gave all into our hands… 

“Then we turned and went up the way to Bashan. And Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei. But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not fear him, for I have given him and all his people and his land into your hand. And you shall do to him as you did to Sihon the king of the Amorites.’ So the Lord our God gave into our hand Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people. And we took all his cities —sixty cities, the whole region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan. All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, besides very many unwalled villages… I commanded Joshua at that time, ‘Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings. So will the Lord do to all the kingdoms into which you are crossing. You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.’” Deuteronomy 2:30-33,36; 3:1-5,21-22

We face formidable enemies every day, sometimes everywhere we turn — voices that say just this one piece of gossip you must tell or know, foes of sloth, taking glory, belittling a fellow image-bearer, choosing my advantage over another’s, the glitter of idols. When God brings us into fellowship with Jesus, He presents a new land of holiness, a world not different from where we have always lived but in which we are free to say yes to Him, and He calls us to fight and possess this land of faith. He knows the wiles of our enemy and works to give us victory. We are strengthened with each win over the enemy’s pull, and gain spiritual muscle to be able to do it again.

Climbing a steep slope can be likened to this walk of faith, requiring gumption and commitment, then a putting of one step in front of another, over and over, with complete victory– the summit– as the goal. Any time we give in to lethargy, half-heartedness, a nodding of the steeled mind or closing of the ready eyes, we risk the enemy’s sneaky toe-hold or slipping back in spiritual maturity. Our mighty God Who fights for us and has won our hearts will continue to infuse His strength and resolve; we need yield to Him and keep on.

Lord, keep me pressing on to take possession of the victorious life You have for me. Yours is the greatness and power and glory and victory. (1 Chronicles 29:11)

“Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. And the Lord said to Joshua, ‘I have given Jericho into your hand.’ Then Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord.  And the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord walked on, and they blew the trumpets continually. And the armed men were walking before them, and the rear guard was walking after the ark of the Lord, while the trumpets blew continually… So they did for six days. On the seventh day they rose early, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. At the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, ‘Shout, for the Lord has given you the city.’ As soon as the people heard the [long blast with the ram’s horn, they] shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that [they] went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.” “He it was who struck down… all the kingdoms of Canaan.” Joshua 6:1-2,5,12-16,20; Psalm 135:8,11

Israel, though newly present in Canaan, was already known and feared for its military victories and mighty inexplicable acts of its God. Jericho, shut itself up in defense, melting in fear, must have baffled at the strangeness of the army marching around their walled city, before and after the priest-transported ark, in silence, save for trumpets blowing continually, day after day. This odd circling of their city must have been as intimidating as it was confusing. Is this how Israel conquered great peoples? The seventh day answered “Yes!” when, after seven trips around, there was a long trumpet blast, an eerie, lustful shout, and the whole wall fell down flat. No siege works, no axes, just God Almighty acting supernaturally on behalf of His obedient people.

The LORD was His nation’s King, and they must trust Him as they moved in to take over the land. Strategy and results were His, He was to be obeyed. His ways and wisdom, at times unordinary, would be their secret to conquest. (Joshua 2:9-11)

When has the Lord orchestrate events in our lives that confound us? Changes of career path, loved ones’ choices, moves to a new city, seemingly coincidental meetings that turn into meaningful relationships, small improvements in attitude or changes in perspective with which we had no part? His ways often are not our ways, and His wisdom may seem to us foolish, yet “the foolishness of God is wiser than men… God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise.” (Isaiah 55:8; 1 Corinthians 1:25,27)

When faced with each day’s fresh opportunities, or with what seems an impossible conundrum, do I clap together my own instincts, make plans and get moving, or look to my God Who may turn my ordinary into His extraordinary?

Wondrous Lord, have Your way in my every endeavor, and make me aware of Your hand in all things. As You lead, keep me silent, marching in Your presence, fully trusting Your trumpet blow and marvelous ways. All victory, all glory, is Yours!

“When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, ‘Are you for us, or for our adversaries?’ And he said, ‘No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.’ And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, ‘What does my lord say to his servant?’ And the commander of the Lord‘s army said to Joshua, ‘Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did so.” Joshua 5:13-15

Joshua had just succeeded Moses, and like his predecessor at the beginning of a new, divine campaign, he is met by a strange vision and is told to remove his sandals, he is on holy ground. Surely Joshua, as his long-time assistant, knew of Moses’ experience, and had received directly from the Lord his commissioning to lead Israel into Canaan and conquer it, but my heart skips a beat at God’s personal attention to Joshua here. It’s as though He is waving His hand in front of his eyes and saying, ‘Look at me. I’ve chosen you to be on My side and be the captain of all I will accomplish here. I’ve made the marvelous way before you through the Jordan, and will continue to go before you. Don’t get distracted by the work, though it is a great one; be consumed with Me. Don’t ask Me to be on your side; stay on Mine. Never forget this is My campaign and will be My victory. I am holy.’ (Exodus 3:1-5)

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if God would visibly show up as a warrior every time we embark on a daunting unknown, a formidable endeavor, a risky defense? Is He teaching here that He is in charge and wherever He meets with us, and calls us to be, He is present and therefore we are on holy ground? Mustn’t I remove my sandals, surrender whatever habits and practices I’m accustomed to, the tools and equipment and talents I think necessary, the wise strategies I’ve developed, to His higher, holier enabling? Instead of asking Him to sidle up to me and bless my plans, shouldn’t I be aligning myself with His?

I love how God arrested Joshua at his point of embarking. Joshua took a moment to look up- whether at Jericho’s looming walls or to the heavens in prayer, we do not know, but the LORD met him at his gaze. It takes a deliberate pausing, physically, of mind’s racing, of heart’s passion, of runaway fear, to behold the Lord and take in His word for me. Will I look up when the Jerichos are before me?

Oh mighty and holy Commander, fix my attention and focus on Thee. Keep me on Your holy ground, shoeless for Your adorning, hands lifted in dependence, whenever You call, wherever You lead. (Psalm 134:2)

“The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, “When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.”’ And Joshua said, ‘Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you… Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.’ So the people set out… to pass over the Jordan… and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away… Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.” Joshua 3:7-8,10-11,13-17

There are times we’re called to act, and times we’re called to stand. God established Joshua as the one who would lead Israel into the promised land by instructing him how the marvelous entrance would take place. The priests who transported the ark, representing God’s presence, were to step first into the raging river, then plant their feet and hold as the waters also stood upstream, by God’s mighty hand, and the people passed by across the river bed.

Sometimes when we move, we miss the glory of the Lord. While He equips us for battle and often commands us to act deliberately, there are also times He says, get ready, take the first step, then stand firmly in my promise and watch what I will do. (Exodus 14:13; 2 Chronicles 20:15,17)

Are there instances where am I trying to help God, where I am pushing ahead on my way when He’s clearly led me to a certain place but is saying, let me now take the reins? It takes a setting aside of our fear at not being in control, but by standing in faith we prove His might and care over and over. It takes trained discernment and keen listening to know when to step forward, armed for battle or advancing, and when the next step is to stand in the brink of God’s great activity and hold on to Him. It might be that He says prepare, educate yourself, then step into prayer and trust Me to change the heart, raise the conversation, orchestrate the next steps. Watch Me divide the impossible Sea. He is always faithful to be present, faithful to lead.

LORD, You lead Your people to make for Yourself a glorious name. Keep me still and watchful before You, standing firm in faith, so I know how to follow. (Isaiah 63:14; 1 Corinthians 16:13)