Author: astherainandsnow

“And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.’  Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.  But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.  And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.” Acts 15:36-41

The Jerusalem council, after much debate and prayer, ended amicably penning a letter with Spirit-led conclusions that several disciples delivered. So when Paul proposed to Barnabas they continue traveling to check in on other churches, it seems strange that they had such sharp disagreement. Hadn’t the council all come to a unified conclusion? Hadn’t these two traveled to and ministered together in Antioch? Didn’t they have a singular motive to biblically counsel and strengthen the church? (Acts 15:22-35)

When we step back and see that they did indeed fortify the churches, each going in a different direction, we glimpse how God strengthens us in order to strengthen others. Paul and Barnabas divided, each taking with him another who would watch and learn and work alongside him. Each leader carried the experience of having weighed options and coming to a compromised conclusion based on the Spirit’s leading. Each one had strong opinions, and learned that not all people see things the same way. God used these experiences to develop their own gifting and dependence on Him, and equipped them to handle such situations they’d find among the varied congregations. God knows the plans and work He has for us, and weaves through our life experiences what we need for what He knows is ahead, and what He expects of us and those we shepherd. (Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Timothy 4:11-16)

What is God training, or teaching me about Himself or myself, in my present turmoil, testy relationships, or work assigned, that I might employ in the future? With what challenges am I trusting His lead? Am I learning to listen better, to accommodate different opinions, to mediate between argumentative loved ones, to bring prudent consensus? How have situations and lessons from my past served me well in the present? Can I look back with gratitude and willingly continue to learn today for what’s ahead?

God presents many opportunities in our different areas of daily life to learn from Him and others. By prayer, we can be keen to His Spirit and attune our senses to take in and glean from these experiences. He graciously and strategically strengthens us in order to use us to strengthen others in His church. Are we willing to submit to the training so we’re most effective? How are we putting to use what He has instilled in us to build up those less experienced, or weaker in faith or understanding? Are we looking for and taking opportunities to encourage Christ’s church?

Father, keep me flexible, teachable, and eager to pass along from Your bounty for the good of Your Body and glory of Your name.

“I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
    and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
    and you have healed me.
O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
    you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
    and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment,
    and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning…

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
    you have loosed my sackcloth
    and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
    O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” Psalm 30:1-5,11-12

David knew the deliverance and favor of the Lord, from first anointing through many dangers, toils, and snares. He knew the sorrow that accompanied deception, betrayal, and loss, the exhaustion of dogged pursuit and battle. He knew that being beaten down left nowhere to look but up, that bereft silence was impetus for crying out. Hard experience and fluxing emotion were no stranger to this man after God’s heart, the divine heart that knew every one in full. Neither was continual praise, praise to that victorious One who through it all gave the promise of joy and gladness. (Psalm 31:10-14; John 11:35)

Every deliverance of our Lord, small or great, is an expression and instilling of hope. It is His loving nudge that lifts our head, His prompt that turns desperation to dependence. God’s ears bent to our prayers are meant to remind us that He is nigh, and His endings are gracious and good. He faithfully remains, and works in every tear and moment for our good. He keeps in perfect peace those who trust and pray. Yes, weeping may endure, but for a limited time, and joy in the morning is as certain as the sun will rise. (Psalm 3:3; Isaiah 26:3; Romans 8:28)

What is our resolve, weary souls? Have we made melancholy our way of life, shedding measureless tears our resignation? Do we oft repeat the anger and mourning we’ve become accustomed to, or turn it over to the freedom, gladness, and song God will fully restore? Can we look beyond, and upward, and grip the hope that He is? Will we extol Him, recounting His draw, His grace-bought salvation, with gladness? Will we plead, remembering His past healing and restoration and counting on it again? What hinders our giving thanks to Him forever?

“What language shall I borrow
to thank Thee, dearest Friend,
for this, Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever!
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love for Thee.” ~Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)

Words give me to extol Thee
my Victor, Savior, Praise
for You I lift my voice,
Your exaltation raise!
Tho weeping damps the shadows,
Your joy with morning comes.
Clothe me with thankful gladness
for You, most Worthy One. (PEB)

Father, help me live, even in dark times, rejoicing in You with a morning countenance and glad praise, for Your glory.

“In the first year of Darius… I, Daniel,… turned my face to the Lord, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules… To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame… because of the treachery committed against you… To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him.

“O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city… O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. We do not present our pleas because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not,  for your own sake.” Daniel 9:1-5,7,9,16,18-19

Daniel could have spent his exile in a strange land with a strange tongue in resentment, misbehavior, and complaining. He could have squandered what the Lord had given as an opportunity for great growth and witness. Instead, he invested where God had planted him for as long as that season would be. With concerted commitment, he made the most of spiritual and civil life for the good of his alien city. The Lord gave him favor and position, and from his unique position and vantage point, he made an eternal difference by leadership and prayer. (Daniel 2:48-49; 5:29; 6:10)

We are all spiritual exiles. With strife, division, and negativity peppering societies, it’s easy to sequester ourselves, live provincially, and become myopic. We stick with our people, comforts, safe places, and want nothing to do with those outside our small circle of likeminded friends. We resent the harsh places God puts us, and nurse our right to relief and ease. We grow callous and uncaring about our city, community, and nation. (1 Peter 2:11)

But God has assigned our boundaries so we would know Him deeply and out loud. Sometimes He plants us seemingly in exile in hard work situations, new towns, neighborhoods foreign to what we’ve always known, for His purposes. He calls us to faithfulness, giving great opportunity to grow in our understanding of His heart for the world and to spread His Spirit and gospel light in the dark. (Acts 17:21)

Are we prone to separate spiritual life from public industry and community involvement? Do we keep Sunday in a box and devotional life at home, never sowing God’s Spirit into our broader world? How much do we care for the people where we live and work? How do we show it? How large is our heart for the world around us, evidenced in how wide and consistent our prayers?

How will we afresh seek the welfare of our city? How are we investing in workplaces, communities, culture, individuals with the gospel? How regularly do we intercede for our leaders, and involve ourselves in service? What revival and joy of the Lord might we help usher in by His grace? (Jeremiah 29:7; 1 Timothy 2:1-4)

Lord, keep me praying for and compassionately involved in the world where You’ve placed me.

“You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.”

“And he called the people to him and said to them, ‘Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person…’ Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled?  But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.  For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.’” Matthew 12:34-35; 15:10-11,17-20a

The Pharisees had a knack for talking the talk. Pompous and polished, they were persnickety about rules and had eyes keen on catching anything that went against their prescription for righteousness. But Jesus saw through their religious veneer to the poison in their prideful hearts, and addressed what they could not with long robes hide from the God-man. (Matthew 12:1-8)

It is nice to be able to hide secrets sins in the closets and corners of our hearts, until we can’t. Our tongues are a dead giveaway to the putrid impulses and decay that lie within. Out of our hearts comes ugliness beyond even our realizing we were capable of, and once the spigot has opened, there’s no taking back. Unbridled anger, hurtful criticism, crass words, derogatory insults, all flow from hearts rigid with pride, deceit, and discontent. When this occurs, be warned. These are only an outward mimicking of deeper and greater darkness within.

The beautiful thing about Jesus’s teaching and grand exposés of the heart is that He never leaves us there. He provides the antidote, and with mercy invites us to take it. His Spirit brings sin to light and conviction to bear out in honest confession. In grace He extricates what we denounce, purifying and redirecting our long-held habits. Our cooperation is required in this sanctifying process, but He perseveres with us to make us holy. (Leviticus 20:7,26; 1 Peter 1:16)

What sins have we tucked away and fondled and excused by blaming others for far too long? What sarcasm, hatred, unkindness, or malice resides within and occasionally spurts out in ugliness to alert our spiritual senses? What fetishes or fantasies, what coveting or bitterness, do we justify as innocuous and invisible, but actually manifest themselves when we least expect? When will we tend to that blot, name it for what it is, and once for all put it away? And if we have harmed another by our heart filth, what need we do today to bring repair?

“Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.” ~Charlotte Elliot (1836)

Father, remove from my heart any errant attitude or poison so You alone reign.

“Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some who belonged to the synagogue.., and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.  Then they secretly instigated men who said, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.’  And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council,  and they set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law,  for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.’ And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

“And the high priest said, ‘Are these things so?’ And Stephen said:

“Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham…

“‘You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered…’

“Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 6:8-7:2a,51-52,54-55

The heat in and around the early church smoldered and sparked and sometimes flamed. Burning words and hot threats from religious and civil leaders were meant to squelch the Spirit’s fire in Christ’s disciples, but the more they came, the wider the gospel spread. Heat always divides the pure from dross, seen in the telling contrasts between the petulance of Stephen’s instigators and his calm wisdom, their malicious deception and his veracity, their enraged attacks and his face like an angel. Abiding in the grace and power of the Lord gives steadiness in any storm.

When rabble rouses and antagonism stings and powers threaten, many cower, lose courage, or resolve, or faith altogether. But for the one filled with the Holy Spirit, increasing heat serves only to stoke the fire within. Opposition is opportunity. Vitriol is met with grace, lies with truth, ugliness with beauty. The key is to be tethered ahead of time to the anchor that is Christ, and to commit to His mission and work. If my identity is in anything or anyone else, heat will melt weak commitment. Secure in Christ, I can hold fast no matter the blast.

Where and how do I stand? How securely fixed is my heart on Christ and His gospel? What fear, or pride, or errant allegiances make me tremble and tempted to shrink back from acknowledging my Savior?

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.” ~George Keith (1787)

Lord, help me hold fast to You, and burn only with holy fire.

“There came from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath… He had a helmet of bronze.., a coat of mail,.. a javelin of bronze.., and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron… The Philistine said, ‘I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.’ When Saul and all Israel heard these words, they were dismayed and greatly afraid…

“David said to Saul, ‘Let no man’s heart fail because of him. [I] will go and fight with this Philistine.’ Saul said to David, ‘You are not able.., for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.’ But David said, ‘Your servant used to keep sheep… When there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck and killed him. [I have] struck down lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God… The Lord who delivered me from [them]… will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’ Saul said, ‘Go, and the Lord be with you!’

“Then Saul clothed David with his armor… David said, ‘I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them…’  Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:4-7,10-11,32-40

From the outside, Goliath’s very presence was foreboding, an impossible threat to the cowering Israelites. His stature, weapons, and verbal challenge outsized Saul’s men in every measure. Every day his defiance whacked a bit more defeat into the army’s resolve. Except for young David. He saw things differently, and lived with a different set of armor. He was the Lord’s, saw every battle as His, and was confident in His tested faithfulness and prowess.

When we live under the world’s standards, accumulating and using the world’s tools, our comparisons will always be on a limited plane. Man against man, word against word, strategy against strategy. But when we walk daily in ongoing communion with the Lord of lords, we see earthly opposition from a different, heavenly perspective, and have a mindset and weapons at the ready that are other-worldly. We’re familiar and comfortable with weapons of faith and the armor of God, because they are our daily dress. We’ve tested and tried God’s word, and are confident of its power to guide, protect, and win.

What Goliaths are we facing externally and internally? The firmer our stand for Christ, the greater the opposition, criticism, and challenges to our beliefs. Health, financial, and relational issues ofttimes provoke without warning. Invisible but raging temptation, resentment, jealousy, discontent, and discouragement attack. How will we respond or confront? When will we fit on and take up divine weapons for every onslaught, trusting His victory? (1 Samuel 17:45-46; Ephesians 6:10-18)

Lord, help me meet every taunt and enemy in the power of Your name, wielding the weapons You supply with alacrity and wisdom, so all may know the battle is Yours and You alone are Savior. (1 Samuel 17:46-50)

“Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ^{[sons of God, or sons of might]}
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
    the God of glory thunders,
    the Lord, over many waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
    the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
    and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
    the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth
    and strips the forests bare,
    and in his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
    the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
May the Lord give strength to his people!
    May the Lord bless his people with peace!” Psalm 29:1-11

Ascribe: to refer to a supposed cause, source, or author: to say or think that (something) is caused by, comes from, or is associated with a particular person or thing; accredit; an inferring or conjecturing of cause, quality, authorship

The inexplicable uncontainable Almighty is worthy of measureless more than man can fathom or offer. Yet, made in His image and called to know and reflect Him on earth, we are to ascribe Him His due as we can. He is the cause, source, and author of every greatness. His name is to be glorified and His holiness invites worship. His strength, power, and majesty are sovereign over creation, His throne unshakable in eternity. Indeed, God is worthy of all praise and honor. (Colossians 1:16-17; James 1:17)

Have we investigated the Sovereign’s worth? How familiar are we with pondering His attributes and ways, and turning them to praise? How can and will we ascribe- with words, countenance, devotion, generosity, humility, and love- the greatness of our King?

Opening our selves to the splendor of God’s matchless name, our hearts to His immeasurable love, our minds to His fathomless wisdom, design, and benevolent providence, fills us with wonder. Such marveling compels us to ascribe to Him, in thought, word, and deed, His worthy honor.

“All glory, laud, and honor 
to you, Redeemer, King, 
to whom the lips of children 
made sweet hosannas ring. 
You are the King of Israel 
and David’s royal Son, 
now in the Lord’s name coming, 
the King and Blessed One. 

The company of angels 
is praising you on high; 
and we with all creation 
in chorus make reply. 
The people of the Hebrews 
with palms before you went; 
our praise and prayer and anthems 
before you we present. 

To you before your passion 
they sang their hymns of praise; 
to you, now high exalted, 
our melody we raise. 
As you received their praises, 
accept the prayers we bring, 
for you delight in goodness, 
O good and gracious King!” ~ Theodulf, Bishop of Orléans (c820); translated by J. M. Neale (1854)

Lord, may all I think, do, and say lift high Your name and magnify Your ineffable greatness before men, and unto Your pleasure and glory.

“If some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but kindness to you… And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

“Lest you be wise in your own sight,.. do not… be unaware of this mystery, brothers…

“For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy… 

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“’For who has known the mind of the Lord,
    or who has been his counselor?’
‘Or who has given a gift to him
    that he might be repaid?’

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:17-25a,30-31,33-36

In Paul’s explanation about God’s turning the gospel toward the Gentiles, he highlights that God does indeed work in mysterious ways. His chosen people Israel were set aside for a time in a supernatural plan that broadened the reach of the gospel to the Gentiles while coincidentally awakening jealousy in the Jews. In His divine economy, there was no room for smugness or desert, only awe. (Romans 11:1-12)

And so with us these conflicted days. Economic stress, political strife, civil unrest, broken promises public and private all set the stage for smugness as experts, taking the superior side, and proudly strutting our rightness. But God denounces that as wrong thinking. He will have none of our cocky arrogance or swagger of having deserved special favor. Instead, we’re to hush and bow in awe that He’s made Himself known to us in love, that He has by grace saved any. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

How could spending time, otherwise occupied with criticism and sarcasm, naming God’s attributes change our mindset? Diffuse antagonism? Foster love? Heighten our expectancy of how God can intervene in hard places? Pondering these possibilities leads to wonder of the unsearchable, inscrutable God, which redeems us from the inside out. When we consider His holiness and grandeur, there is no room for pride, only worship. Will I this day exchange all-about-me for Thee, only Thee? (Isaiah 6:1-5)

God on high, keep me in awe of You, offering You alone all glory.

“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

“Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father,” for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

“’I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’” Matthew 3:1-2,5-12

John the Baptist was from the womb a forerunner of his cousin Jesus. He understood in ways we cannot who Jesus was and what He was coming to do to free men. In preparation for this gospel, his words to the Pharisees were particularly fiery and pointed, as their very strict religious beliefs and practices were what the Lamb of God would by grace upend. If they wanted to make an appearance to confess their sins and be baptized, they needed to realize just what those sins were and what baptism signified. Identity with Christ required cutting all ties to legalism, pride, and appearance. Identity with Christ meant exhibiting much spiritual fruit. (Luke 1:11-17,76-80; John 1:6-8,23,29-31)

Sometimes the Lord’s voice to His children needs to be harsh. Our depravity and rebel spirits deserve strong condemnation and antidote. We seldom make as much of our sin as God does, and neglect to see how spiritually unstable our depravity and helplessness make us. We need the fire of conviction to get our attention and burn them away forever. What behavior and attitudes we think are alright to coddle and excuse and keep on simmer the Lord says obliterate.

What is our first reaction to God’s call to repent? Do we think that is for others, or another more convenient time? How seriously do we take this prominent teaching for His children? Obsessiveness with particular rituals and strict obedience in certain areas can gloss over a stained, ugly heart or pride. Over-familiarity with the world, comparison with others, and lenience with personal feelings make it hard to recognize and acknowledge sin. When will we take deliberate time to name and confess our sins before Holy God, and receive His cleansing? (Luke 11:4; James 5:16; 1 John 1:8-9)

Dealing with sin immediately as the Lord prompts us makes for a clean conscience and healthy living.

Lord, please expose my pharisaical attitudes and actions, cleanse me thoroughly, and fill me with Your Spirit’s fire.

“Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.” Psalm 1:1-4

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
    whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water,
    that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
    for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
    for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

Blessedness is a God-given limitless possibility, a favor presented and promised to all who take seriously its invitation. Walk this way! Delight in, meditate on, trust in the Lord and His word! The image of a lush tree, spreading robust roots in rich soil by a clear, life-giving stream, redolent with green beauty and bounty awakens the senses and spirit, beckons us come. Be like a tree! Establish yourself! Reach your arms wide! Flourish!

Blessedness for us depends on where we walk, stand, and sit- with body, mind, and heart. The individual is blessed who takes joy in the law of the Lord and walks in His counsels. Like a tree, his choices bring organic flourishing of latent potential and fruitful prosperity.

The aim and determination of the individual is to refuse the world and delight and trust in the Lord. The result is life roots deep in wisdom, security, and unshakable faith, drawn through the Lord’s love and grace. Blessedness comes as a byproduct of a Godward position, of abiding, of drawing nourishment and bearing fruit. It then expands to wide-stretched influence, widening relationships, effective witness, meaningful living among and for others that feeds, refreshes, energizes, and encourages.

Have we set our will? Where have we established our allegiance? What counsel, what errant paths, what scoffers need we reject in order to delight in the Lord and His word? And how are we drawing on His supply? Would we choose to set aside consternation, fear, and anxiety for the riches of Christ’s wisdom and ways? His free-flowing blessedness awaits!

“Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, 
weak and wounded, sick and sore; 
Jesus ready stands to save you, 
full of pity, love, and pow’r. 

Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
true belief and true repentance,
every grace that brings you nigh.

Let not conscience make you linger, 
nor of fitness fondly dream; 
all the fitness He requireth 
is to feel your need of Him. 

Come, ye weary, heavy laden, 
lost and ruined by the fall; 
if you tarry till you’re better, 
you will never come at all. 

Lo! th’incarnate God, ascended, 
pleads the merit of His blood; 
venture on Him, venture wholly; 
let no other trust intrude.

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

Lord, establish me as a fruitful, fragrant tree for Your delight.