Author: astherainandsnow

“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’” Matthew 13:24-28

“And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” Mark 4:18-20

“I went past the field of a sluggard,
    past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;
thorns had come up everywhere,
    the ground was covered with weeds,
    and the stone wall was in ruins.
I applied my heart to what I observed
    and learned a lesson from what I saw:
A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest—
and poverty will come on you like a thief
    and scarcity like an armed man.” Proverbs 24:30-34

“Land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.” Hebrews 6:7-8

Jesus dealt with practical experiences and images to teach life lessons. Even in the loveliest and most prolific gardens there were weeds that poked ugly heads, whose roots entangled and sometimes smothered what was good. Tend to rich soil and all that grows, and saturate yourselves with living water. Beware, He warned, of these foreign pests, and be vigilant to keep sowing good seed, and bear good fruit.

The world casts so many weeds our way! Ugly thoughts here, risky dalliances there, pesky distractions everywhere. It seems the weeds of strange affection, jealousy, fear, gossip, and unholy desire are scattered ubiquitously, and grow so much faster and prove more untenable than do wholesome, fruitful passions. What are we to do? How do we stay pure in a culture infested with weed seeds?

We need take stock in the condition of our soil, and stay soft and receptive to the teachings of God’s word. We need steadily drink in His rain. By deliberate act of the will, we can confess our allowance and entertainment of known sin, and rid of it to make room for steady obedience. The more we pack our garden of time and energy with good deeds and fruit-bearing, the less space there will be for weeds to grow.

What are we doing to help truths take hold? Where do we need particular repentance and accountability? With whom can we press on in love and good deeds, yielding useful crop? (Psalm 119:9-16; Hebrews 10:23-25; James 1:21-22)

Lord, please soak me with Your living word to extricate every weed and nourish only what bears fruit and loveliness for Thee.

“All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’ And Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?’  But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, ‘Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?’  So Moses cried to the Lord, ‘What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.’  And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.’ And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.  And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, ‘Is the Lord among us or not?'” Exodus 17:1-7

“In distress you called, and I delivered you;
    I answered you in the secret place of thunder;
    I tested you at the waters of Meribah. 
Hear, O my people, while I admonish you!
    O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
There shall be no strange god among you;
    you shall not bow down to a foreign god.
I am the Lord your God,
    who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
    Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” Psalm 81:7-10

Exodus tells us the quarreling Israelites tested the Lord at Meribah, while Psalms says it was God testing them. The people, full of themselves and their rights, snipped whether God was even with them, while the Lord begged them to stop snarling and listen, and look, to Him. If they would but open their mouths, not in whining and complaint but in sure anticipation, He would fill it! Vantage point and perspective determine how and who we see.

Why is it so hard to think vertically and look long? Why is our default to blame God above when our horizontal becomes uncomfortable? When we live circular lives with me at center, we fail to recognize the Lord ahead, and get agitated at the adjustment of changing our ways. It’s easier to complain and blame than to humble ourselves and admit Almighty God knows more than we do. He wants us to open our self- imposed boundaries to His supernatural unlimited.

Where has God faithfully led and provided for me in the past? Do I trust Him enough to expect Him to work again, or do I get cantankerous when things are difficult, and suspect His motives, or doubt His care? Rather than get testy with Him, how might I pass His tests of faith?

Lord, please replace my wrangling and irritation with solid trust that honors You.

“Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood,
    who draw sin as with cart ropes,
who say: ‘Let him… speed his work
    that we may see it;
let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near,
    and let it come, that we may know it!’
Woe to those who call evil good
    and good evil,
who put darkness for light
    and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
    and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
    and shrewd in their own sight!
Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine,
    and valiant men in mixing strong drink,
who acquit the guilty for a bribe,
    and deprive the innocent of his right!” Isaiah 5:18-23

“Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.The Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.’ The Jews picked up stones again to stone him.”

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 10:23-31; 12:26

From the beginning, God’s word was clear. The serpent twisted His command to stroke Eve’s emotions and titillate her senses. By confusing her thinking, he upended what had been paradise, and has been turning truth upside down in the mind of man ever since. Jesus spoke plainly that He was the way, truth, and life, but some people refused to hear. Throughout time, man has been wont to prefer self-interest to God’s message. Throughout the Scriptures, the word is clear for those who will listen, and the Lord denounces those who refuse. (Genesis 3:1-6; John 14:6; 2 Timothy 4:3-4)

It is not reason that illuminates our faith, it is faith in God that illuminates our reason. We ask wrong questions, more interested in proving our desired conclusions than learning what God has to say. We go about trying to prove our premises with tools of the flesh when the Word is saying, Come to Me. We cannot serve both ourselves and God. Approaching Him by faith with open heart and mind dissolves natural consternation with the light of truth. (Matthew 6:24)

In what situations am I most prone to manipulate? How willing am I to listen to and actually entertain another’s opinion? How often we start discussions with ready answers, or arguments with preconceptions about our ‘opponents’ and pre-set solutions. We goad others to get what we want. Do we do the same with Jesus? Where do I- my preferences, push, stubbornness, pride- need to get out of the way so the Lord can have His?

Lord, help me set aside flesh and stand upright in Spirit to be a good listener and to embrace Your unadulterated truth.

“For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying,

“’I will tell of your name to my brothers;
    in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise…’

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery… Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

“Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him.” Hebrews 2:10-12,14-15,17-3:2a

“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.” Philippians 2:5-8

Jesus Son of God, by mysterious, supernatural design, appointment, and submission, put on flesh to become Jesus Son of Man. In every way He was like us here on earth, born of woman, raised in a family, given to work and hunger and loves and weariness. Yet, He was without sin. The perfect propitiation, complete ransom, exquisite example, flawless High Priest, righteous friend of sinners. In adopting us He made us His brothers, imperfect siblings washed clean and accepted. (Hebrews 4:15)

Do I feel alone, disconnected? Jesus was a man of sorrows, betrayed by friends. Am I struggling with lack of purpose and satisfaction? When Jesus gnawed with hunger, He found contentment doing His Father’s will. Do I need a confidante and counselor? Jesus is the perfect both! (Psalm 22:1-2,6-8,14-18,22,24; Isaiah 9:6; 53:3-7; Matthew 4:1-4; John 4:34; 14:16-17; 15:15)

How can I be more like Him, this benevolent Brother of mine? What temptations nip and scratch until I’ve relented? What caprice pushes me to spend what I don’t have? What resentment boils to overflow so I spew thoughtless anger, words or violence I cannot retract? What changes will I ask the Spirit to make to display our divine brotherhood?

“Always giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love art Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.” ~Henry Van Dyke (1907)

Lord Jesus, may I daily imitate Your grace, practice Your wisdom and love, and honor Your name.

“To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:2-9

For those in a fledgling church, adjusting to life in the Holy Spirit and the challenges of prevailing philosophies, it would seem unnatural to think about the far future. Immediate pressures both spiritual and practical could easily consume the day’s allotment of energy and focus. But Paul is masterful is broadening the Corinthians’ vision, in lifting their sights from the mundane and difficult to the glorious family of Christ in every place, from present stresses to future culmination of perfect fellowship. They would be sustained to the end.

In the drudge of day to day, it is easy to lose sight of anything beyond. We have deadlines to meet, tasks to complete, health issues that drain, relationships that snip and gnaw at our peace. We face conundrums that seem unsolvable, challenges that seem interminable, and the last thing that seems possible is calm resolution. In current difficulties and fray, there is nothing like an assurance of unbreakable fellowship with Christ and the encouragement of knowing we will be sustained to the end. If indeed God called us, and is sanctifying and enriching and providing for us in all our tedium and trials, He will continue faithful until the day He returns. What a promise! (Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:24)

We are this day both saved and being saved. The strain of present stretching is worth it in light of the hope-filled declaration of Christ’s completed work. Knowing the Lord will not rest in accomplishing His will in us should fuel our persistence and determination to press on. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Do we feel feeble, wondering where to start? Are we nursing regrets or weighed down by conflicts? What urgent malaise or misdirected passions can we commit to the certainty of God’s glorious future?

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.” ~R. Keith (1787)

Father, in light of Your faithfulness to Your character and word, help me be strong, steady, and steadfast, to Your glory.

“There we saw the Nephilim.., and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.” Numbers 13:33

“O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
    and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
    you have put all things under his feet,
all sheep and oxen,
    and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
    whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:1,3-9

“The Lord looks down from heaven;
    he sees all the children of man;
from where he sits enthroned he looks out
    on all the inhabitants of the earth,
he who fashions the hearts of them all
    and observes all their deeds…

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
    on those who hope in his steadfast love…
Our soul waits for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
    because we trust in his holy name.” Psalm 33:13-15,18,20-21

“It is [God] who sits above the circle of the earth,
    and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers.” Isaiah 40:22

Compared to intimidating giants, the Israelites saw themselves as grasshoppers. And compared to the Creator God, the prophet describes human inhabitants of earth as grasshoppers. Indeed, in comparing to the mightier and higher, man is small and insignificant. Yet…. God has made him a little lower than the heavenly beings, and crowned him with glory and honor. What glory bestowed, what glory held in trust!

Consider that the One who set moon and stars in place, and upholds them by His power, has set His affection on us. Consider that He made all creatures in vast array and measureless variety, and it was good, yet crowned His creation with man after His image, and it was very good. Consider that this God, who cares for all His creatures and tends to their particular needs, is personally mindful of us and supplies all our needs according to His infinite riches in Christ Jesus. His glory that is above the heavens is also our crown! (Genesis 1:26-28,31; Job 39:1-30; Psalm 104:24-30; Philippians 4:19; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 5:7)

Our daily choice is to see ourselves as God sees, or another way. Stewed in the quagmire of earthly thought and pressures and comparisons, we might moan in self-deprecation or loathing, shame, weakness. But when we really grasp His imagination and mastery in creating us, His work for us to do and position in the world for us to take, we cannot help but be humbled, honored, grateful, and inspired. (Exodus 19:5-6; Deuteronomy 14:2; 1 Peter 2:9)

How will we seize our identity as Christ’s treasured possession, and show forth His marvelous light? Are we serving in churches and communities as a royal priesthood? With whom are we sharing His excellencies?

Lord, help me live out Your name and calling, at home and in community, for Your glory.

“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.  But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them.  Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai.  And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.

“Whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him.” Exodus 34:29-35

“Those who look to him are radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.” Psalm 34:5

Moses regularly met with God at the tent of meeting. The Lord would descend in a cloud and speak with him face to face, friend to friend. Moses conversed with honesty and passion, desperate for His favor and presence. He longed to see His glory- to tap an intimacy deeper than any human can manufacture or describe. Their relationship grew deeper through this ongoing communion and Moses’ obedience, and unbeknownst to him, he would part their time together reflecting the shine of God’s splendor. Earnest time in God’s presence always makes a difference in our countenance. (Exodus 33:7-23; 34:4-9,27-28)

God has established a new way for us to meet with Him since the rending of the veil at Christ’s crucifixion, more accessible than for the Old Testament saints. He invites us at any time into an ever-growing friendship. He is always available and accessible, His throne ours to approach and beseech, His love and confidence ours for the trusting. (Matthew 27:50-51; John 15:15; Hebrews 4:16; 6:19-20; 10:19-22)

Does our relationship with Him take preeminence in days easy to fill with other things? What priority do we give focused one-on-one time in His word and prayer to get to know Him, take in His promises, confess our sins, share our quandaries and needs, listen? What practical changes can we make- in time scheduled, handling of devices and media, making a quiet private place- to enhance our communion with the Almighty? (Matthew 6:6)

When we read or hear direct instruction, do we move promptly forward, trusting His abiding presence and enabling? In what areas are we slow to obey? What selfishness, fear, or hardness of heart keeps us from the urgency of obedience? When we make time for and delight in our relationship with the Lord, we are increasingly filled with His thoughts and inclinations. His purity and love radiate from surrendered soul to manifest expression.

Lord, may I so absorb Your countenance and grace in my time with you that from the inside out I reflect Your excellencies and from morning til night spread your glory.

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
    be not envious of wrongdoers!
For they will soon fade like the grass
    and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
    dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
    and your justice as the noonday.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
    fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
    over the man who carries out evil devices!

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
    Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil…

In just a little while, the wicked will be no more…
But the meek shall inherit the land
    and delight themselves in abundant peace.

The wicked plots against the righteous..,
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
    for he sees that his day is coming…

The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
    when he delights in his way;
though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
    for the Lord upholds his hand.

I have been young, and now am old,
    yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
    or his children begging for bread…

Turn away from evil and do good;
    so shall you dwell forever.
For the Lord… will not forsake his saints.
They are preserved forever,
    but the children of the wicked shall be cut off…

I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
    spreading himself like a green laurel tree.
But he passed away, and behold, he was no more.” Psalm 37:1-8,10-13,23-25,27-28,35-36a

David knew well the power of focus for the outlook and emotion of life. Indulge in looking on what is not yours to have, and greed claws with ugly lust into your soul. Look on the threat of enemies, and fear can overwhelm. But look at the Lord and His might, and giants become small while hearts grow stout and courageous. (1 Samuel 17:19-25,32-50; 2 Samuel 11:2-4; Psalm 56:1-11)

The moment our minds awaken and we open our eyes, we have a choice of what we will focus on first, which often determines the course of our day. When we jump to worldly pressures or pleasures and think on superficial things, and long over the veneer of the successful who seemed to have it all, but are unrighteous, our hearts get disordered. If we saw beneath the surface of what the wicked were like, and understood their misery, discontent, and ultimate end, reality would put on new lenses.

When we start our day by focusing on the Lord, His Majesty and splendor and greatness and goodness, wonder and praise will crowd out fretting and worry. If the trinkets or apparent ease of the ungodly look alluring, consider their elusiveness. If we are tempted by earthly delights, ask the Lord to reorient our affection to Him and His way. Training ourselves to bring cares expectantly to Him with thanksgiving will readjust focus on heavenly things. (Philippians 4:6–7; Colossians 3:1-2)

What causes envy of wrongdoers’ prosperity? What deeper delights has the Lord bestowed? How can we refocus on things above, and establish habits of trust and gratitude for God’s sufficiency, hope, and everlasting peace?

Lord, help me turn away from all that’s spiritually unhealthy to the good and glorious of You and Your kingdom.

“Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, ‘We will hear you again about this.’ So Paul went out from their midst. But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

“After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.  And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.

“When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’ And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.'” Acts 17:32-18:10

In a culture where many identify by political beliefs or gender or particular persuasions, there is a more important occupation. From the time of the early church, there were crowds who mocked, accused, jeered, and disbelieved, rejecting the gospel. But there were individuals on whom the Lord set specific affection, and saved unto notable lives. Dionysius the Areopagite, Demaris, Priscilla and Aquila, Titius Justus, Crispus. Paul, Silas, Timothy. Laborers, church and synagogue leaders, itinerant missionaries. The Lord identifies His people by faith, not the heritage or hues or parameters of this world.

God’s people may be in a minority in a community, city, or country, but they are many- known, named, and numbered by their Savior. Difficult circumstances may leave us thinking we are alone. Persecution, ostracism, and criticism all peck away at a human sense of security and belonging. But when we are in Christ, we are not only assured of our unbreakable adoptive relationship to Him, but we are bound up forever in the family of believers. (1 Kings 19:9-18; Psalm 139:1-16; Isaiah 43:1; 49:1-5; Ephesians 2:19-21; 1 Peter 2:4-5)

Do we feel alone? Are we making a practice of going solo? How might our perception or isolation be tainted by our own doing? The Lord assigned us different roles and places to spread His salt and light, but it is vital we meet together and grow through fellowship with the saints. There is much encouragement in numbers. How can we, together, bring more into the minority who honor Him and spread His gospel? (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Father, help me think rightly about who and whose I am, and earnestly build up others in the faith that we might glorify You and make You known.

“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
    and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
Day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
    my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.

I acknowledged my sin to you,
    and did not cover my iniquity;
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’
    and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. 

Therefore let everyone who is godly
    offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
    they shall not reach him.
You are a hiding place for me;
    you preserve me from trouble;
    you surround me with shouts of deliverance…

Steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
    shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” Psalm 32:1-7,10-11

The benefits and blessedness of being forgiven go on and on, like a stream that refreshes, carries, frees, and delights. David had known too well the agony of unconfessed sin, of the cruel, heinous monster that crippled his health, poisoned relationships, and disrupted spiritual communion. His heart had grown calloused, impermeable to all but the grace of God that inched close and broke through in love and mercy. Ah, the cleansing! The freedom! The reassurance through restoration! The unadulterated gladness! (2 Samuel 12:1-13; Psalm 38:3-11,18)

Forgiveness is God’s wondrous gift, wholly achieved by Christ’s sacrifice of Himself and imparted by pure grace. Yet, it is tapped by the humbling of the soul, genuine confession and repentance for what we recognize and name as offense against the Holy One. Once we come clean, He rushes in like a powerful wave to crash against our stubborn idolatry, break down our hard hearts, wash clean of all deception, pride, jealousy, malice, impatience. (Psalm 51:1-12)

Forgiveness is the first gift, opening us to receive all others. It mutes our groaning and revives the sapped. It assures hope for the future, whatever troubles and temptations come. It is God’s promise of fidelity to the deliverance and keeping of our souls. Can we shout with gratitude and rejoicing?

Are we taking full advantage of the blessedness forgiveness in Christ affords? If we continue to live in the past, ruing former bad choices and their painful consequences, ashamed for ill behavior and words spoken, regretting what we cannot undo, we have not applied the fullness of what our Savior finished on the cross. He said, It is finished, yet we claim we cannot forgive ourselves- as if we had that power anyway? Freedom comes only when we claim by faith that His finished work was once for all, and we bear no more burden of guilt. (John 19:30; Hebrews 10:12-14,19-23)

What sin have we held too long, and suffered under its deceit, weight, and spread? When will we bow, confess, and seize the grand freedom God offers in Christ?

“My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! 

It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul.” ~Horatio Spafford (1873)

Alleluia!