Author: astherainandsnow

“My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
    God will let me look in triumph on my enemies...

Each evening they come back,
    howling like dogs
    and prowling about the city…

I will sing of your strength;
    I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress
    and a refuge in the day of my distress.
O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
    for you, O God, are my fortress,
    the God who shows me steadfast love.”

“Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
    who trains my hands for war,
    and my fingers for battle;
he is my steadfast love and my fortress,
    my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield and he in whom I take refuge,
    who subdues peoples under me.” Psalm 59:10,17; 144:1-2

From the biting bitter, bark, and snarl of battle, it seems at first out of place that David names the Lord alongside as his steadfast love. Love his artillery? His defense? His strategy? His ammunition? There is a sense that David feels so deeply loved, and is so bound in loving back his Lord, that this steadfast love is both stability and modus operandi. It defines and defends him in every distress.

As it did for David, God’s steadfast love meets us in our days of trouble and supplies sustaining power for every earthly challenge. While love may seem inconsistent with war, it actually is what sustains and fuels hope for victory in the midst. It encamps round about us and lifts our heads to love Him back. It is our helmet, by which we plan and proceed. It dictates civil battle, keeping watch over heart motivation and impulse. It uplifts and fortifies when we are weary, and shields us in temptation. It love keeps fear at bay. (Psalm 3:3)

The Lord’s steadfast love holds our hearts stable and strong when pressures and sorrows encroach and all around is crumbling. His love is the best place to position ourselves, the highest place to go, the deepest place to rest. Do we consider how much, and how, He loves? In every fight with our flesh, every pull to immorality, every tease to resentment, every won’t to hate, every allure of empty things, His love prevails. He is nigh, guarding, training, keeping. (Psalm 86:15)

The next time a bullet of criticism chafes, or condemnation pounds, or regret erodes, will we cling to His steadfast love? When a battle of the will or with temptation strangles and pulls, will we remember to find refuge in his steadfast love? When others attack, accosting with doubt or shame or caustic treatment, can we hold high God’s steadfast love, and meet the enemy with arms and words that convey it?

“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;
The Lord of Love his name,
His steadfast love our fame;
and he must win the battle.” ~Martin Luther (1529) (and PEB)

Lord, help me hide in, hold onto, and lift high Your steadfast love in every battle to mark and bring glory to the victory You secure.

“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me.., ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you  to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision…  To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying.” (Acts 26:9-19,22)

Paul’s defense to King Agrippa detailed his spiritual transformation. The bold persecutor for death became brave purveyor of life, the strict Pharisee became preacher of grace, the guilty was declared innocent. All Saul was, when arrested by God, changed, for Him and His kingdom purposes. The Creator recreated His child to exemplify new creation. (Acts 20:18-21,24,26-27; 22:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Man is prone to making excuses for sin, blaming everything we cannot change. My sloth, temper, worry, lying are just the way I am and can’t be helped. But when we renounce it, God saves us, replacing the heart of stone with flesh, beginning the process of sanctification, and calling us to accountability. What we were no longer has a hold on who He’s called us now to be. His Spirit reworks impulses, affections, and ways of thinking, yet as spiritual cowards we coddle what we’ve always known. (Ezekiel 36:26)

What am I blaming for ugly attitudes and behavior? Where am I lazy, frozen in past sinful habit and mindset? What truths about salvation will I claim this day in order to say no to what was, and yes to Christ? (Romans 6:1-7,11-14; Philippians 3:12-15)

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

Lord, help me live out vibrantly, faithfully and effectively my changed life, to Your glory.

“God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground… I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God…

“‘Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.’ But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?’ He said, ‘But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.’

“Then Moses said, ‘If I come to the people of Israel and say, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they ask, “What is his name?” what shall I say to them?’  God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am… Say this to the people of Israel: “I am has sent me to you… The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.” This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.'” Exodus 3:4-6,10-15

Moses, drawn to the unusual and supernatural and hushed into reverent fear, cannot grasp the magnitude of the One who speaks. Alerted to holy ground, hearing the Almighty’s call, his doubts and very human concerns betray the gap bridged only by the patient and persistent Spirit who gives understanding. (Exodus 3:1-4; 1 Corinthians 2:14)

To define words, man looks for consensus of meaning, agreement in understanding, context, usage. But God stands apart, completely other, wholly self-existent, self-sufficient, and self-defined. His attributes and limitless power confound narrow intuition and compromised human consent. Man processes with limited intellect and responds in the flesh. The I AM is beyond our apprehension of His ubiquitous, omnipotent, eternal presence. Yet He came and comes, making Himself known in Jesus, the imprint of His glorious nature here on earth. We are left only to worship. (Hebrews 1:2-3)

Where have I limited God, made Him my chum, a superior ‘me,’ mentally reducing His divine magnificence? How do I casually diminish, by attitude or words, His lofty highness? With what reactions and behavior do I rebuff His holy authority? When will I bow in humble fear, contemplate, and praise this I AM?

“O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

O tell of his might and sing of his grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
in you do we trust, nor find you to fail.
Your ransomed creation, with glory ablaze,
in true adoration shall sing to your praise!” ~Robert Grant (1833)

Lord, may I exalt, trust, and yield to Your Highness anew.

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.  Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” Matthew 24:36-46

God’s measure of days is on a transcendent timetable, in an otherworldly realm unknown by men. Occupied, unaware, heads down, they rise eat work sleep in circadian rhythm, while the Lord on High unfolds His predetermined history according to His perfect providence. In the meshing in between in life here below, God calls His people to continual faithfulness.

Stay awake. Be ready. Be faithful and wise. Keep serving. Stay filled. Keep watch. Work, invest, and multiply. The Lord addresses man going about what man does, yet only some will be prepared. Attentiveness to duty must include attentiveness to Him, which marks our living and doing with heavenly hope. We are stewards of His talents, resources, and time, called to do all for Him and His glory. With day and hour of His return unknown, we plow ahead, keep grinding and building for the One who is known. (Matthew 25:4,13-17,20-22,40,45; Colossians 3:23-24)

Where has the Lord called us to build in preparation for His return? How are we investing to make room for the salvation of others, or to feed them practically and spiritually? Are we to teach? Connect with and engage the curious? Practice hospitality? Care for the needy? (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

“A charge to keep I have, 
a God to glorify, 
a never-dying soul to save, 
and fit it for the sky. 

To serve the present age, 
my calling to fulfill, 
O may it all my pow’rs engage 
to do my Master’s will! 

Arm me with watchful care 
as in Thy sight to live, 
and now Thy servant, Lord, prepare 
a strict account to give!

Help me to watch and pray,
and still on Thee rely,
O let me not my trust betray,
but press to realms on high.” ~Charles Wesley (1762)

Lord, help me day by day to heed Your call, with Your focus, in Your strength, for Your glory.

“The cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry,.. and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody…

“When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled.  So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, ‘Why are your faces downcast today?’” Genesis 40:1-4,6-7

“Their speech and their deeds are against the Lord,
    defying his glorious presence.

For the look on their faces bears witness against them;..
    they do not hide it.” Isaiah 3:8-9

“In the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes.., I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. And the king said to me, ‘Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.’” Nehemiah 2:1-2

“A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
    but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed…

The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
    and good news refreshes the bones.” Proverbs 15:13,30

“As in water face reflects face,
    so the heart of man reflects the man.” Proverbs 27:19

Clouds pock the calm ocean with their morning reflections, spilling the light of lofty grandeur below. Unreachable contours become places to touch and dip as they condescend to the here and now of the shore. Their message, be it fleeting beauty or turbulent storm, is offered to the wayfarer, the wonderer, the watching.

And so our lives and faces reflect the light of grace or gloom, revealing the state of our souls. We can radiate hope or hunger, peace or pain. God gives man expression to communicate, and we have a bearing on the message we portray. When we see the influence of both behavior and countenance, are we not compelled to be filled with God’s Spirit to convey the best and most glorious of His abiding presence?

What kind of shadows do we spread, and what do they reflect of our Lord? How often does unhealthy interest in or brooding hurt over a situation disrupt peace and stain our interactions with ugliness or angst? Simmering resentment and anger will give off steam or spill over, dampening or burning those near us and clouding their view of grace. Do we berate and complain and leave rude shadows of discontent, discomfort, or sadness wherever we go?

There is another kind of shadow we can leave when we’re absorbed in Christ. We can hover over the needy and infuse the atmosphere with hope. We can pray for the hurting and sprinkle contagious jewels of love and care. We can create or point out beauty in the Word or world. With what mark, what reflection of God’s compassion, splendor, and kindness, can we bless another today? How will we, by word or action, lift the countenance of those the Lord has put in our path?

Lord, fill my life with your light, that I would leave cloud shadows that gleam goodness, hope, and love every day of my life.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are… Beloved, we are God’s children, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure…

“No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

“We should love one another…  We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers… 

“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth…

“This is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God… God is love…

“By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit… We love because he first loved us…  Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” 1 John 3:1-3,9-11,14,16-18,23; 4:7,11,13,19,21b

John, one whom Jesus loved, knew what it was to be transformed by love. This powerful force issuing from the Savior made him a child of God and planted in him a reality not before known. The proof of the Almighty’s affection on him was his reoriented life that served and obeyed Christ. (Mark 1:19-20; John 13:23; 19:25-27)

When we are loved and saved by God we are marked by that love forever. His abiding presence evokes new loves in us that issue forth in love for others that is not natural, but sacrificial. His love on us also instigates struggle against and hatred from world who rejects Christ’s love. Where the Lord is, the enemy resists or fights- there is no happy cohabitation. But there is no such thing as facile or static love in God’s economy. By faith, this tension prompts us to press on in obedience to His commands because He is the One we aim to please. What strength of love do we show? (1 John 2:15-17; 3:13; 1 John 5:2–4; 2 John 6)

What evidence do our interactions, work, and service give to the power of Christ’s love in us? How has His love softened our compassion, fortified resolve, sweetened the atmosphere of home and workplace? How might our attitudes, words, and actions among those we know better identify Him, and what will we do about it? What kind of love would we have the Lord newly develop in us, starting today?

Lord, may my life and loves be vibrant proof of Your gracious love for me, to Your glory and praise.

“Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.  He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, ‘Stand upright on your feet.’ And he sprang up and began walking. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, ‘The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!’ Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.  And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, ‘Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.  In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.’ Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.” Acts 14:8-18

An impossible situation, a loud voice, an astounding healing. A lifelong cripple walking was all the impetus needed to bring the spiritually confused to confused and frenzied worship of men they thought gods. Vanity promotes irrationality that affects every sense and impulse. If only they’d turn to the living God for healing of the heart…

Man was made to worship, but sin mismanages his methods. Vain is the one who makes gods in his image, who pays homage to gods who pay homage to his desires. This is the indelible plight of sinners, bent since Eden on the lusts of eye and flesh and pride, save for Christ. Idol worshipers destine themselves to remain spiritual cripples, unable to walk by truth and faith. Wound up in reverence of power, control, and high human thought, they fail to recognize when the Divine breaks through to initiate real life. (Genesis 3:1-6)

Where are we confusing things of vanity with true substance? Where are we living in vain for things of the world rather than embracing real life for vital faith and eternal communion with the Lord? Are there areas of our day to days we’ve secreted onto pedestals out of the Spirit’s reach, pet affections or ambitions we’ve guarded as sacred, never to be touched or altered? Would we ask God for new eyes to recognize the idols we’ve made and worship, and renounce them once for all? Only in surrendering false gods will we come to know the real God, and only He is worthy of allegiance and honor.

Lord, wrench from my heart all that is vain and replace it with vital, vibrant worship of You, the Living God who alone is worthy.

“Again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, “Tell those who are invited, ‘See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.’” But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, “The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.” And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.

“’But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment.  And he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.'” Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus’s parable invited RSVPs to faith, understanding, and surrender. When the king issued summonses for his wedding feast, a celebration of joy-filled covenant commitment, responses betrayed the human condition. Though lavish inclusion was offered, individuals turned it down for busyness, industry, and ambition. Some hard-hearteds rejected with such vehement hatred they extinguished the well-meaning messengers. Squelching the offerer obliterated their responsibility, or so they thought. But turning down the king’s invitation brought eternal regret none could reverse, closing the door to forever communion.

There are a variety of times we shrug off God’s invitations. Daily He beckons us come near to commune with Him, and we find more pressing things to fill our time and attention. In our churches, He presents opportunities to serve Him by serving others, yet we prefer to manage our margins and keep measured our contributions. At work and in our communities, He bids us get involved in His kingdom work, yet we eschew the commitment required. He offers to come alongside, inspire, enable, and refine, but we choose to guard tightly-held agendas and comfort. Even at home, where He invites us to intimacy and edification, we can procrastinate, or let down our guard, or resist substance and fellowship for personal ease, not valuing the feast He’s prepared.

How do I respond to divine invitations? They come as a quickening of the Spirit, a conviction, a pull at the heart, or an obvious opportunity. They might present as an interruption, or a brash command breaking into our quiet status-quo. Can we answer with no regrets?

Where are we resisting God’s voice, doing anything to eliminate accountability? What will we change, eliminate, or do in order to listen more keenly and obey more quickly?

Father, help me accept Your invitations with ready response so Your work is furthered and Your name is honored.

“Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ‘Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.^‘ And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.'” Genesis 9:8-16

Though He knew that the intention of man’s heart was evil from his youth and all the time, God in mercy made His covenant of salvation with man His beloved. Never again would His world and people be ruined with such destruction as the widespread flood. The crown of His creation would always be the apple of His eye, held in everlasting love and grace. Following the flood of horror and sorrow, and hope, God welcomed Noah into his everlasting safe harbor of salvation. (Genesis 1:26-28; 6:5-7)

The Eternal God and Potentate of Time speaks and stands behind promises that span everlasting. His words pledged thousands of years ago are ours to savor and find security in today. We can trust His nevers as much as His forevers. Never again will we slip under judgment or condemnation because of His sacrifice paid once for all and forever on the cross. Never will He leave or forsake us because He has bound us to Himself in an eternal covenant. No one can ever snatch us from His hand since we are inextricably, everlastingly His children. (Deuteronomy 31:6; John 10:28-29; Romans 8:1; Hebrews 7:27; 1 John 5:20)

We may live in shaky times, but need not quake in fear or fretting, doubt or condemnation. What causes our faith to teeter, our minds to swim and nearly drown in what-if disasters? Where do shame or regret taunt us to forget God’s forgiveness? Will we trust Him to keep His word to protect and redeem? The everlasting God sets His rainbow of divine love over us each day and holds us secure forever.

“Crown him the Lord of years,
the potentate of time,
creator of the rolling spheres,
ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
for thou hast died for me;
thy praise shall never, never fail
throughout eternity.” ~Matthew Bridges (1851)

Lord, help me hold fast to Your promises, never to doubt and always to praise Your everlasting word and character.

“All the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel.  So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month.  And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.  And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand.  And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen,’ lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.  Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places.  They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.” Nehemiah 8:1-8

The people gathered, eager to hear. Ezra read the Law to all who understood. His colleagues flanked him in support. The Levites helped those hungry to make sense of what they heard. All the people blessed the Lord in assent, joy, and humble worship. Attentiveness to God’s irresistible, powerful word evoked natural, unstoppable responses because that word never returns void. (Isaiah 55:10-11)

The word of God is that, a word that beckons, instructs, and necessarily calls for action. It is living, powerful, and effective to move mind, heart, and will. It exposes sin, convicts the conscience, and evokes surrender. It reminds, goads, inspires. How and where are we exposed to its enlightening, corrective, and redemptive light? (Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Timothy 3:16)

What part will I play in attentiveness to God’s word? When do I regularly study it, or take in another’s teaching? How do I respond to its revelations of my Sovereign, and my own heart? How readily do I heed His warnings, instructions, and invitations? How do I support church leaders and preachers by prayer, practical engagement, generosity, encouragement, and selfless obedience? (2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 13:17)

With whom am I rightly handling the word by wise instruction and thoughtful modeling, helping them understand its meaning and implement application? What new order, direction, and joy has exposure to God’s life-giving Word brought to my life, and how will I express that and advocate for it in others today? How has growing knowledge of God’s word enlarged my thanksgiving, enriched my praise, broadened my outreach? (Nehemiah 8:9-12,17-18; 9:2-6,17-21)

Lord, make all of me attentive to take in, understand, live out, and pass on Your Word, so You are known and magnified.