Author: astherainandsnow

“Jesus… said to his disciples, ‘The Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified’... Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, ‘Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.’ But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, ‘Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.’

“Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?’ And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.” Matthew 26:1-2,6-16

Matthew leaves unnamed the generous woman who lavished her love on Jesus with the fragrance of extravagant abandon. It is her act of complete selflessness he intends to convey indelibly as a worthy example. But Judas he names, and he will be associated forever with greed and betrayal of the One whom he’d followed for three years. Judas stands out in sad remembrance, while the woman hides behind her Christ. Unnamed and forever noteworthy.

Every day we perform acts large and small, significant and insignificant, some we’d rather undo or forget, others that make a positive difference. If we knew each act were recorded, and one day we’d be held accountable, what would we decide? Where might we hide? Do we behave now as though we will face a reckoning then, or think only for today, and ourselves? God knows the visible and invisible, and will remember everything we have done in the flesh. (Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:12; 22:12)

Am I bent on making a name for me, or for Jesus, that He might be acknowledged and adored? What drives my daily choices for expenditure of time, energy, resources? Would I intentionally offer our best to the Savior, and do good unto others in Jesus’s name so that He’s the One seen and praised?

“Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice,
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfil.
Living for self or in His will;

Oh let my love with fervour burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.” ~C.T.Studd (1860-1931)

Lord, help me live so you are remembered.

“Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town.  Some men brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven… Get up, take your mat and go home…’ 

“As Jesus went on from there, he saw Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ he [said], and Matthew got up and followed him.

“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners ate with him and his disciples. The Pharisees… asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’

” Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick… I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’

“While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, ‘My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.’  Jesus got up and went with him…

“Just then a woman who’d been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.’

 “Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.

“When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, he said, ‘Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.’ They laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up… 

“As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David!’

“When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith let it be done to you’; and their sight was restored…

“While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke.” Matthew 9:1-2,6,9-13,18-25,27-30,32-33

Into boat, on shore, going on, dining in, getting up, turning and seeing, entering in, moving on, back indoors, heading out. Outcasts, the disabled, cheaters, rulers, the ‘unclean’ and helpless, beggars, and demon-possessed. Jesus moved with intention from place to place, person to person, available to all. There was no tidy schedule for this Savior, no social preferring, no safe distances from the infectious or reputation-tarnishers. Jesus took thought and full heart for others, all in a day’s work.

When have I taken time to bring healing, encouragement, help to a needy soul? Is my mindset shaped to plan and do only for my progress or advantage? Do I cram hours to the edges, with no margin for God’s interruptions and opportunities?

How available are we to our families, friends, service to others? How might we follow in Christ’s steps? Where will we practice generous outreach to the unclean and unlovable? What do my habits and agenda reveal about my heart’s willingness to serve God over self? (1 Peter 4:10-11)

Lord, help me daily offer You my time and self, for Your kingdom work and glory.

“At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres. The sons of the singers gathered together…

“Then I brought the leaders of Judah up onto the wall and appointed two great choirs that gave thanks. One went to the south on the wall to the Dung Gate.  After them went Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah, and Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam,  Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,  and certain of the priests’ sons with trumpets: Zechariah.., son of Asaph;  and his relatives, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God. And Ezra the scribe went before them. At the Fountain Gate they went up straight before them by the stairs of the city of David, at the ascent of the wall, above the house of David, to the Water Gate on the east.

“The other choir of those who gave thanks went to the north, and I followed them with half of the people, on the wall, above the Tower of the Ovens, to the Broad Wall, and above the Gate of Ephraim, and by the Gate of Yeshanah, and by the Fish Gate and the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred, to the Sheep Gate; and they came to a halt at the Gate of the Guard. So both choirs of those who gave thanks stood in the house of God, and I and half of the officials with me;  and the priests Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;  and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang with Jezrahiah as their leader.  And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away…

“For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there were directors of the singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.” Nehemiah 12:27-28a,31-43,46

Nehemiah’s account of returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall is rich with description, suspense, tension between rivals, and prayer. He names places and people with detail, illustrating their value and importance by including them in God’s inspired word. And in the short 13 chapters of his book, he inserts a riveting description of the mass marching choir who gave thanks to the Lord upon the wall’s completion and dedication. Song was in Israel’s blood and the melody of their history, so it would be joyfully expressed in this glad celebration of God’s faithfulness.

Often upon completing a task at hand, we move quickly on to another, or take what we deem a well-deserved break, indulging in self-congratulations and relaxation. Yet every completion is an expression of the Lord’s enabling, His gifting, steadfastness, and blessing on the work of our hands. It bids us thank Him with joy. (Psalms 90:17)

Would we daily commit our works to the Lord, and praise Him when He establishes them? In what situations where we have endured, or are enduring, is He calling us to gather with others to sing praise? How can we make this a regular practice? (Proverbs 16:3; Isaiah 26:12-13)

Lord, may I ever and gladly sing to honor Your faithfulness and love.

“For God alone my soul waits in silence;
    from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

How long will all of you attack a man
    to batter him,
    like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
They only plan to thrust him down from his high position…

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
    for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
    my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

Trust in him at all times, O people;
    pour out your heart before him;
    God is a refuge for us…

Once God has spoken;
    twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God.” Psalm 62:1-4a,5-8,11a

Rock. Salvation. Fortress. Refuge. As God has proven Himself these, the psalmist proclaims he can wait, hope, rest, and trust. He is not and shall not be shaken. The solid reality of his Lord allows David to endure secure in every hardship and threat. Attacked, battered, cursed by men, God’s king is held strong by his powerful Sovereign.

These truths of who God is do not change. Who He has always been He always will be. The strong tower to whom David ran in faith for salvation is our Savior today. Christ Jesus absorbed all our shock at Calvary, and we can always, always, hide in Him. (Proverbs 18:10)

But the battering seems relentless. Taunts from without, doubts within, our existence here on earth is fraught with heavy soul weights and those who would bring us down. We lean hard against pressing circumstances and disappointments, and totter in faith. The more we claim these truths as our own, practice trusting the Rock, rest in Him as fortress and refuge, the greater our confidence and will to proceed.

Will we trust Him at all times? Pour out our hearts to Him? How can and will we quiet our souls to wait and hope in Him alone?

“A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God’s own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!” ~Martin Luther (1529)

Lord, keep me trusting You alone as my rock, fortress, and glory.

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.” Matthew 1:1-6

“Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.  And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

God’s Spirit saw fit to list many names early in Jesus’s genealogy in Matthew. Sprinkled into the lineage of renowned Jewish men are those of a few Gentile women, included by His sovereign goodness. Just as Jesus Himself was a poor man of sorrows, His human forebears were of little earthly consequence, save for God Almighty. (Isaiah 53:2-12; John 1:46)

Although the Old Testament does not account Salmon’s marriage to Rahab, it’s assumed she was the harlot in Jericho who, and at the risk of her life, boldly hid Israelite spies because she feared and believed in their God. Perhaps Boaz their son learned from their marriage about redeeming love and grace, and directly from his mother about the genuine faith of outsiders. What Boaz learned he implemented, as kinsman-redeemer taking the Moabite Ruth as his wife. She, of an accursed and pagan race, had embraced Naomi’s faith, and with Boaz bore the grandfather of King David. (Joshua 2:1-21; Ruth 1:1-18; 4:10-17; Hebrews 11:31)

How wondrous the grace of God! What is not in the world important, God makes vital. Ordinary people He makes extraordinary, for timely place or role, and knows and names each one. We tussle and vie for notice and recognition, foolishly thinking we deserve God’s favor for what we have done. (Esther 4:14)

Yet God, in His providence, weaves His plans through history to raise up the lowly and exalt His divine glory. Can we, as His children, learn to think this way? Can we humbly, like Mary, bear the Christ for His renown alone? What kind of stewards are we of His naming and knowing? And whom can we acknowledge for the way they’ve borne Christ to us, or carry Him into the world? (Luke 1:52)

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.” ~John Newton (1779)

Father, help me live out the identity You give by Your grace, to Your glory.

“The Lord spoke: ‘Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, therefore, the Lord is bringing up against them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory. And it will rise over all its channels and go over its banks…’

“Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing;
    speak a word, but it will not stand,
    for God is with us.

“For the Lord spoke with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: ‘Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become a sanctuary…’

“And when they say to you, ‘Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,’ should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?  To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.” Isaiah 8:5-7,10-14,19-20

The Lord issued a strong message for those who refused His loving Lordship. Rather than fearing God’s ordered consequences, purporting conspiracies, and spreading wickedness, however threatening they might be, God’s people were called to a higher fear. As the One in ultimate charge, all enemy hordes, quaking nations, and blistering threats come through the Lord’s supreme authority. Nothing can snatch or shake those He holds and keeps. (Isaiah 9:6-7; 26:3; Zechariah 2:8; John 10:28-29)

Refusing God’s gentle waters of peace, we wind up mental and physical energy on supposing and hypotheticals, and bear the consequences of misdirected emotions. We fret at things over which we have no control, or a future we cannot determine, like uncertain finances, national and world issues. We convolute His wider plans because we fixate on minutae. We turn from His truth to seek solace in false sooth-sayers. If we soaked in the flow of God’s word and gratitude for what He’s done, our faith would so swell to crowd out fear. How prudently do we tend our focus and steer our fear? (Isaiah 10:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:2-4)

With all that shudders and threatens in the nations and our lives, what if we garnered our senses and attention toward the holy God? What if we bowed before His righteousness, word, judgment, and reprisal for disobedience? How might we not only know Him better, but humbled, be in a better frame of mind? How can we better ground ourselves on His sure foundation and stability for our times? What freedom and delight our days would know if we feared Him alone! (Isaiah 33:6; Matthew 6:26-34; 1 Peter 5:7)

What presently agitates? Lurking doom, inadequacy, failure, shame, world terrors? Do we fear man and circumstances that churl and choke, or God, and wait for Him in hope? Imagine the peace we could spread, the hope we could instill, the ways we could magnify God before others if He was our only fear. (Exodus 20:20; Isaiah 8:17; Psalm 46:1-4; 121:1-4)

Lord, teach me to fear You alone, and to trust Your wisdom, ways, goodness, and ends. (Isaiah 12:2)

“Let me sing for my beloved
    my love song concerning his vineyard:
My beloved had a vineyard
    on a very fertile hill.
He dug it and cleared it of stones,
    and planted it with choice vines;
he built a watchtower in the midst of it,
    and hewed out a wine vat in it;
and he looked for it to yield grapes,
    but it yielded wild grapes.

And now, O… men,
judge between me and my vineyard.
What more was there to do for my vineyard,
    that I have not done in it?
When I looked for it to yield grapes,
    why did it yield wild grapes?

And now I will tell you
    what I will do to my vineyard.
I will remove its hedge,
    and it shall be devoured;
I will break down its wall,
    and it shall be trampled down.
I will make it a waste;
    it shall not be pruned or hoed,
    and briers and thorns shall grow up;
I will also command the clouds
    that they rain no rain upon it.

“For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts
    is the house of Israel,
and the men of Judah
    are his pleasant planting;
and he looked for justice,
    but behold, bloodshed;
for righteousness,
    but behold, an outcry!

“Woe to those who rise early in the morning,
    that they may run after strong drink,
who tarry late into the evening
    as wine inflames them!
They have lyre and harp,
    tambourine and flute and wine at their feasts,
but they do not regard the deeds of the Lord,
    or see the work of his hands.

“Therefore my people go into exile
    for lack of knowledge;
their honored men go hungry,
    and their multitude is parched with thirst.” Isaiah 5:1-7,11-13

Fertile slope, cleared of stones, planted with choice vines, protected, vat ready. Untended, ignored, misused, wasted, wild and tasteless. The described handling of God’s vineyard highlights the stark contrast between God and man, generous bounty and careless waste, love and selfishness. What God prepares and intends for His children is easily abused by people who regard only themselves.

We have much abundance in our lives that goes unrecognized, unappreciated, unused. The gift of space and opportunity, hours and days before us to choose how to invest and make fruitful. Health and senses to enjoy the topography and textures and rigors, the beauty and color and music of the world around us. Hands to tend soil of relationships, to manage tasks, to love on others. Minds to process thought, make smart decisions, solve problems. Consciences to confirm what is good and convict of the bad. People who enrich character, capacity, experience, and the human heart. The capacity to worship that swells and nourishes the soul.

The Lord has made ready for us our places to seek His wisdom and produce God-honoring crop. Home, workplace, community, church: many and varied are His vineyards. He’s provided empty vats, awaiting good wine. How seriously do we take our responsibility to turn good yield? (Isaiah 33:6; Mark 4:14-20; Luke 6:38)

How are we maintaining spiritual fertility? What foreign stones have accumulated that prevent healthy roots, relationships, and flourishing? How well do we tend to justice, righteousness, kindness? Where do we need pruning to make the most of God’s provision?

Lord, make my life a pleasant planting of Your grace and bounty, to Your glory.

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘How long will this people despise me and not believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have done among them? I will strike them with pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.’

“But Moses said to the Lord, ‘Then the Egyptians will hear of it,.. and will tell the inhabitants of this land. They’ve heard that you, O Lord, are in the midst of this people… You are seen face to face, and your cloud stands over them and you go before them… Now if you kill this people.., then the nations… will say, “It is because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land…” Now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised… Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love…’

“The Lord said, ‘I’ve pardoned, according to your word. But… none who’ve seen my glory and signs… and yet put me to the test… and not obeyed my voice, shall see the land… None who despised me shall see it. But Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land… Now,.. set out for the wilderness.’

“‘How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me?.. Your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness,.. not one shall come into the land except Caleb and Joshua. But your little ones, who you said would become a prey,.. shall know the land you have rejected… Your children shall be in the wilderness forty years and shall suffer for your faithlessness.'” Numbers 14:11-17,19-25,27-31,33

It was true. The inhabitants of Canaan were formidable, yet God had determined that the Israelites would settle there. Rejecting God’s plan through their lack of faith, all the spies and the adult Israelites alive at the time of crossing the Red Sea would die before entering the land- a harsh consequence for those who saw the enemy as larger than God. They foolishly allowed the enemy’s perceived threat to supersede God’s promises, and would miss out on their fulfillment. Moses had better vision, and prayed the Lord would continue with his people so His reputation would be upheld, and His honor magnified.

As we daily deal with the enemy of our souls, we can choose to arm ourselves with the better vision of who God is and what He is doing. Rather than hanging our heads in dread or fear, we can set our sights on His worth and glory. Instead of despising God’s invisible assurances by grumbling and worry, we can fix our hope in His promises and ultimate good purposes, and be strong and courageous to stand at every struggle with the enemy. Will we? (Ephesians 6:10-13)

Do we regularly recount the works and deeds of the Lord, particularly those that personally affect us or are in direct answer to prayer? How else will we fill our sights with His greatness, beauty, and might? Do we see how this magnification of the Lord and His goodness fuels our faith, and eternal far-sightedness clears our vista to hope? The next time we are prone to a spirit of doubt and woe, will we choose instead to prove the Lord’s greatness and give Him pleasure?

Lord, help me daily remember You are the greatest of all, and Your promises and power can always be trusted.

“The Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel…

“Moses sent them… and said, “Go up into the hill country, and see… whether the people are strong or weak,.. few or many, and whether the land… is good or bad,.. and whether the land is rich or poor… Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land…’

“So they went up… into the Negeb and came to Hebron… The descendants of Anak were there… And they… cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes, and carried it on a pole between two of them; they also some pomegranates and figs… 

“At the end of forty days they returned.., [and said], ‘The land… flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit…’

“Caleb… said, ‘Let’s go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.’ The men who had gone with him said, ‘We’re not able to go up against the people, for they’re stronger than we are.’ So they brought… a bad report.., saying, ‘The land… devours its inhabitants, and all the people are of great height… We seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers…’

“All the congregation… wept that night [and] grumbled against Moses.., ‘Would that we had died in Egypt! Or… this wilderness!.. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?'” Numbers 13:1-2a,17-23,25,27,30-14:3

For Eve, the enemy was too attractive. Where Saul’s army had cowered before Goliath, David viewed God’s honor and power as greater than any giant. Jehoshaphat turned from the cruel horde of Canaanites to trust the Lord. Here, on the edge of the promised land, the untested, frightened spies saw Canaan’s occupants as simply too big, and anticipated certain humiliation and defeat, where Caleb and Joshua alone saw and wanted to seize God’s greater promise. (Genesis 3:1-6; 1 Samuel 17:1-11,24,32-51; Numbers 14:6-11; 2 Chronicles 20:12-17)

We face many enemies every day, internal and external. Attacks on our faith, our marital fidelity, our determination for good and honesty at work. The press of depression, discouragement, and doubt can be relentless. But with every onslaught, every swipe to head or heart, we decide where to set our vision. It is true that the One in us, the ever-conquering Savior, is greater than this one who is in the world! It is true that He is on our side, and nothing can separate us from His tenacious love or snatch us from His hand! Will we cower in fear before the enemy, or gladly, confidently say, let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome? (John 10:10,28-29; Romans 8:31-39; 1 John 4:4)

Yes, the enemy is big. He is wiley and ferocious and plots only for evil and destruction. But God is greater, bigger, more mighty, and marvelous! Where will we focus? Will we fixate on every giant, doubt, fetish, and temptation rather than putting our eyes on Him? Where has our vision blurred with over-concern with the devil and too little a concern for the Lord? When will we allow the mighty Lord to clear and fill it with a holy, victorious view of Him? (1 Peter 5:8)

Father, give me a sober view of the enemy and an honest, hopeful vision of You, the Greatest One.

“The people of Israel came into the wilderness of Zin… And Miriam died there…

“Now there was no water for the congregation. They assembled themselves together against Moses. The people quarreled, ‘Would that we had perished..! Why have you made us come up out of Egypt?..’ Then the Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Take the staff,.. and tell the rock to yield its water…

“Then Moses… said to them, ‘Hear, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?’ And Moses struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly… And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.’ 

“Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom: ‘Please let us pass through your land.’ But Edom said, ‘You shall not pass through…’ and came out against them with a large army and a strong force… so Israel turned away.

“And they… came to Mount Hor. The Lord said.., ‘Let Aaron be gathered to his people… Strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son. And Aaron shall be gathered to his people and shall die.’ Moses did as the Lord commanded… And Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. And… all the house of Israel wept for Aaron thirty days.” Numbers 20:1-3,6-8,10-12,14,17-18,20,22-23,26-29

The wilderness. Death of his sister, incessant quarreling and accusation from the nation he led, an agonizingly harsh consequence for justified anger, unjust refusal of passage, and death of his brother and spokesperson. Long weeping. Blow upon blow brought Moses to the end of himself. A man of weakness whom God was making strong, he was molded through much pain, setback, aggravation, and harsh discipline. God intended that every prop or sign of human success would be replaced by an exquisite friendship and unshakable faith. He would become the man who endured as seeing him who is invisible, who knew that he knew that God was for him and could absolutely be trusted. (Psalm 56:8-11; Hebrews 11:27; 12:5-11)

We have all been familiar with harsh seasons of life, wildernesses of soul. Whether having made it through, presently enduring, or being prepared for a future drought or storm, we all meet with times where there seems no end to trouble. Pocked with loss and grief, discord and unfairness, accusations, weariness, and consequences that seem too harsh for the crime, we can reach a point of desperation. It is there that the Lord can be to us most near, and real. When all human props are removed, friends are absent, hope is dim, the Lord is large and strong. (Psalm 27:10; 30:5; Jeremiah 31:20; 1 Peter 5:10)

Are there present disappointments or losses that sting deep, even devastate? In what self-made props have we been trusting to give support, identity, or purpose? How might these reveal inordinate confidence or misdirected dependence? Will we ask God for faith to see seasons of drought as times for determination to look to His promises and take hold of His unseen? How has He proved Himself our sole Support? How would we like Him to reorder and establish our faith anew?

Lord, fulfill Your purposes for me as I take refuge in You alone and make melody to Your praise. (Psalm 57:1-3,7)