Author: astherainandsnow

I love God's word and the God of the word. Isaiah 55:10-11 describes my vision for the blog: as the Lord has displayed so beautifully in nature the work of His living word in man, I desire the words I write to show forth His glory in creation (my photographs and art of words) and His word so the truth of scripture takes deep root, grows, and bears much fruit- of spirit and praise to Him. To my Lord be all the glory for what He accomplishes through His word! ~P. Bunn

The Life and Times of God’s Appointed II

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

“Now there was no water… And the people quarreled with Moses and said,.. ‘Why have you brought the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we should die..? Then Moses and Aaron… fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared, and the Lord spoke, ‘Take the staff, assemble the congregation,.. and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water…’

“Then Moses… said, ‘Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?’ And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock.., and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank… And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy.., 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 strong force…

“And Aaron died.” Numbers 20:1-4,6-8,10-12,14,17-18,20,28

Could Moses not avoid perpetual difficulty? The death of his sister whose early intervention saved and paved his life. Incessant grumbling from Israel’s congregation as he tried to manage grief. Pressure that overheated, igniting emotions, prompting God’s sobering chastisement, upending his highest earthly hope. Threatening rejection by Edom of his polite request, resulting in trudging inconvenience. Then the death of Aaron, his brother, mouthpiece, and support. Moses could easily, and justifiably, have given up. But his goal was higher than these temporal troubles, his otherworldly destination beyond these earthly limits. (Exodus 2:1-10; 4:12-16; 17:11-13; Hebrews 11:26-27)

When loss after detour after battle after rejection after regret after criticism after sorrow heap upon our wearying days, we might question God’s call and goodness. We might scramble to rework plans to escape to ease, or give in to discouragement or despair, or give up altogether. How are we to proceed on these paths of endless difficulty and disappointment?

The key to persevering with joy in harsh life and times as God’s own is to keep Him as our goal. He’s our very great reward, the author and finisher of faith. Intimacy with Him gives supernatural grit, fortitude, and vision. Do we stumble at each challenge and get easily waylaid? Or would we accept them as means by which God fits us for forever, and press on with hope? (Genesis 15:1; Philippians 3:12-14; Hebrews 12:2-3; James 1:2-4)

“My goal is God Himself, not joy, nor peace,
Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God;
’Tis His to lead me there—not mine, but His—
At any cost, dear Lord, by any road.

So faith bounds forward to its goal in God,
And love can trust her Lord to lead her there;
Upheld by Him, my soul is following hard
Till God hath full fulfilled my deepest prayer.

No matter if the way be sometimes dark,
No matter though the cost be oft-times great,
He knoweth how I best shall reach the mark,
The way that leads to Him must needs be strait.

One thing I know, I cannot say Him nay;
One thing I do, I press towards my Lord;
My God my glory here, from day to day,
And in the glory there my great Reward.” ~Frances Brook (1896)

Lord, keep me pressing toward the goal.

The Life and Times of God’s Appointed I

“Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me;
    all day long an attacker oppresses me;
my enemies trample on me…
When I am afraid,
    I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
    in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
    What can flesh do to me?” Psalm 56:1-4

“Be merciful to me, O God,..
    for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
    till the storms of destruction pass by.
I cry out to God Most High,
    to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
He will send from heaven and save me…
God will send out his steadfast love and faithfulness!

My soul is in the midst of lions;
I lie down amid fiery beasts—
the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!

They set a net for my steps;
    my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my way…
My heart is steadfast, O God,
    my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
    Awake, my glory!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
    I will awake the dawn!
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
    I will sing praises to you among the nations.” Psalm 57:1-9

“O my Strength, I will watch for you,
for you, O God, are my fortress.
My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
God will let me look in triumph on my enemies…

O my Strength, I will watch for you,
for you, O God, are my fortress.
My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.” Psalm 59:9-10,16-17

“Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.

Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!” Psalm 61:2b-4

“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.” Psalm 62:5-7

From the history recorded in scripture, it can be inferred that David was a skilled warrior and wise, focused king. But his leadership is not all that occupied his life and time. The psalms open his inner life, intensive prayers and passionate pleadings and praise that took hours to record over the decades of his reign. The account of his outward successes (and foibles) is founded upon a deep private relationship with his Lord.

So for all whom God calls. We have tasks and duties, the outward face and responsibilities and action. We can be defined by public victories and personality and measurable accomplishments. But as whole creatures who belong to Him, our invisible but palpable salvation makes a difference, and the health of inner sanctum of our souls is vital to any visible success.

How does my inner communion with the Lord affect my outward life? Where are my trust and God’s wide mercies evident? How fully have I entrusted my life and times into His hands?

Lord, may I continue steadfast in prayer, serve Your bidding, and utilize all You’ve appointed, for Your glory. (Psalms 31:15)

Mark the Mocker

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.

“He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”?’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.”’ But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'” Genesis 3:1-5

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Matthew 7:15

“The devil… was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44

“Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14

“The men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him.” Luke 22:63

With alluring staccato from his perch of fence edge, then power line, the mockingbird teased the lazy afternoon. Chur-whee, chur-whee…trull trull trull… twee twee twee… chip chip… Consistent and persistent in variety, his identity is marked by the ruse of constant change, his intrigue in mimicry.

So exists and works the mocker of men and God. From the garden to his ultimate eternal grave, he mocks, mimics, deceives, and lies. He appears as he is not, sounds not wicked as he is, and says what is not true. His only constant is that he fools, attempting to undermine and overthrow and destroy all that is right and good. (John 10:10a; Revelation 12:9; 20:10)

The devil mocks, but Jesus wins. The mocker pretends, Jesus is the real thing. The enemy promotes falsehood, Jesus is truth. The mocker shrouds in darkness, Jesus is light. Satan would have us believe we are losers, alone, needful of our own power, unworthy. But Jesus says we are His beloved people, cloaked in mercy, living in marvelous freedom. The mocker says be quiet, Jesus says proclaim My excellence. (John 8:12; 14:6; 1 Peter 2:9-10)

Where have I been duped? How do I entertain the mocker by accepting his peppered falsehoods, compromising morality, waning in devotion? When do I indulge in the forbidden fruit of licentiousness, gluttony, sloth, or bitterness, then hide in shame? Where have I fabricated ‘my own truth’ while denying my Lord’s? How am I presently mocking my Lord by selfishness, ingratitude, grumbling, arrogance, or outright sin? Beware the mocker’s wiles!

Pelleted by the ancient foe, we can feel exhausted, undone, or fall to his trickery in defeat. But looking to the perfect One unjustly mocked, who chose to be nailed to the cross to vanquish the mocker’s sting and stain, we can endure. Whose voice will we let triumph? (Isaiah 53:4-7; 1 Corinthians 15:55,57)

Lord, help me discern and dismiss the enemy’s mockery, and rejoice in the truth of all You won for me, to Your glory.

The Goodness and Grace of Gentleness

“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious…

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For

‘Whoever desires to love life
    and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
    and his lips from speaking deceit;
let him turn away from evil and do good;
    let him seek peace and pursue it…’

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” 1 Peter 3:3-4,8-11,14-16

“But the fruit of the Spirit is… gentleness.” Galatians 5:22-23

The rough and tumble of bombastic rhetoric and tough aggression marks a stark contrast to the godly character prescribed in scripture. The gentleness God deems imperishable and precious is often dissed or dismissed as weak and without value by the world. The gentleness of civility and calm reason for hope gets a hard knock in a culture of shout your truth and stand your ground. Yet, the Lord makes clear His expectations for life in the mix of materialism and temptation, and His Spirit works these in and out of us in beautiful ways.

As is often true with biblical commands, there are don’ts that accompany dos. In order to behave one way, we must put off opposing ways. We must turn focus from the external to the internal, attitude from cold and hard to warm and tender, pride and stubborn selfishness to humility and ready submission. We must speak goodness and truth instead of evil and deceit, and reject harshness in order to practice gentleness. (Ephesians 4:1-2; Titus 3:1-2)

What are we doing to develop a gentle quiet spirit? Let this be your adorning doesn’t just happen. Are we even aware of our roughness of manner, stringent demeanor, impatient and bothered expressions? Have we taken responsibility for our sarcastic bite, snippy tone of voice, and irritable responses when we’re inconvenienced or have to yield control? Do we own temper or cursing that needs confessing, eradicating, and replacing? Knowing where and how we are not gentle clears the way for Spirit-led transformation. (Proverbs 15:1)

Would we ask God to convict us into repentance and change? Then how will we begin to practice gentleness of spirit, action, and words? Where will we begin to stay quiet to listen better, or bless instead of curse, so others see and are drawn to the grace of God? “Let your gentleness be known to everyone.” (Philippians 4:5; James 1:19-20)

Father, develop and demonstrate gentleness in and through me, to Your glory.

Power in the Skies

“O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
    sing praises to the Lord, Selah
to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
    behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
Ascribe power to God,
    whose majesty is over Israel,
    and whose power is in the skies.
Awesome is God from his sanctuary;
    the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!” Psalm 68:32-35

“There is none like God, O Jeshurun,
    who rides through the heavens to your help,
    through the skies in his majesty.
The eternal God is your dwelling place,
    and underneath are the everlasting arms.
And he thrust out the enemy before you
    and said, ‘Destroy.’” Deuteronomy 33:26-27

Wide low grumbling draws attention outward, upward. Layers and smoky moisture mist and roil, alerting to the imminent storm. The looming distance closes in, cool and present, yet untouchable. The heavy dark sky attracts and repels, incites damp dread, hushed awe, and pulsing anticipation. Who is not drawn to its power? Who can stand against it?

The awesome God of the universe upholds these skies by His power, and rides them to our aid. Here He displays ineffable glory, eliciting praise; from here He speaks, issuing forth strength. Are we watching? (Isaiah 40:25-26; Colossians 1:16-17)

Often we are too wrapped up in the urgencies of the day to take in the skies. We are trapped in the temporal, taking no thought for the divine and lasting. We scurry here and rush there, fuss with this and tend to that, ignorant of heaven’s waiting benediction and help. Focus bent downward and inward, we take no determination to lift the eyes. (Psalm 121:1-2)

To grasp the power in the skies we must see ourselves as God does from there: small, yet beloved and of inestimable worth. When do we take time to look up and consider the work of God’s fingers, His signature in the beauty of the vastness and the storms, and the crowning of His love and grace? Have we come to grips with our powerlessness over sin habits and swollen pride apart from Him? O needy soul, look to the skies! (Psalm 8:3-5; 36:5)

“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.

Your bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
in you do we trust, nor find you to fail.
Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!

O measureless Might, unchangeable Love,
whom angels delight to worship above!
Your ransomed creation, with glory ablaze,
in true adoration shall sing to your praise!” ~Robert Grant (1833)

Father, keep my eyes toward heaven in dependence for power, and my hands lifted high in praise.

This Day or That Day?

“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person…

“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers… We consider those blessed who remained steadfast.“ James 5:1-9,11

While the world presents and promotes riches as magnificent, beneficial, and pretty, in fact they become miserable, worthless, and rotten. The mind set on this day lusts after the temporal, but the mind set on that day values what lasts. One of Satan’s wiliest tricks is to obliterate any thought beyond today: no accountability, no consequences, only present pleasure. No then, only now. But the child of God who seeks the treasure of that day finds the riches of true satisfaction and security. (Matthew 6:19-21,33)

It’s important to recognize where we put down stakes of time, emotion, mental, and financial investment. Where heart and soul are tethered determines our treasures, and vice versa. We may say we value wisdom, but spend inordinate time reading garbage. We may pretend to care about relationships, but spend focus on ourselves and meaningless distractions. We may claim to care about our fitness for the Lord, but expend our limited energy and calories on activities and victuals that don’t strengthen or nourish. In what areas have we given in to the devil’s ruses?

If we set our hearts aright this day to esteem the Lord of that day, all perception and attending decisions and actions change. We can enjoy and share wealth entrusted to us, delighting to treat others generously and well. We spend time wisely, developing discernment, honing character, serving meaningfully. We invest in significant relationships that build up the church, enhance growth, and help people. We share the steadfast, living hope of Christ with joy and freedom, lift the downcast, and encourage the faint-hearted to persevere. We accept trials and challenges as preparation for our eternal future. (1 Peter 1:3-8)

Over what should we weep and howl in repentance? Where have we allowed priorities to skew off-kilter, disciplines or important relationships to go awry? What do our calendars, screen timers, and financial statements tell about where we invest the resources entrusted to us by God? What would hope in that day, when we see Jesus face to face, change about the way we live today? (1 John 3:2-3)

Father, pattern my moments and days here to align with the promise and glad communion of that glorious day when You return.

Solid Can Be the Stump

“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
    and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
    the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and might,
    the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
    or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
    and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
    and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
    and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
    and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;
    and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze;
    their young shall lie down together;
    and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,
    and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.
They shall not hurt or destroy
    in all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.

In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.” Isaiah 11:1-10

The promise of God’s righteous branch brought consolation and comfort during national decline. One day in the future a fruitful wise branch would rise from their crushed people. Enemies would be defeated, new ways would opened. Impossible and wondrous redemption and unity would take glorious place. These truths for their future were a balm of hope to a calloused, crumbling Israel. (Isaiah 11:11-16)

In any cursed, seemingly doomed situation, we too have the promises of God for substance of hope. Distances that have widened He can span, prodigals He can return and redeem, relationships that are rabid and ruined can be repaired. Where good counsel is void and fear of the Lord is absent, the Lord Almighty arrives and settles with wisdom and honor and perfect equity. Do we trust this word?

What circumstances threaten to swallow us with despair? What enemies of fear, depression, or anxiety loom heavy and near? What relationships seem broken beyond repair? What hopelessness or deep hole feel inescapable? When will we turn from defeat at the immovable stumps in our lives and see in them solid promise of God’s possibility?

His glory is greatly magnified when He rises from ruin. Often He appoints weakness and bleakness as the setting for His strength and splendor. Would we ask for His help to reset expectation from what we can see now to Whom we know? Looking for a shoot from stumps awakens delight over destitution and energizes faith in the Promise Keeper. (Genesis 18:14; Matthew 19:26; 2 Corinthians 12:9)

Lord, keep me trusting You and Your promises and expressing sure hope in a needy world.

Repentance: Key Questions

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast… that the Lord God had made.

“He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say..?’So the woman… took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate…

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ And he said, ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.’ He said, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?’ The man said, ‘The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.’ Then the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this that you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’” Genesis 3:1,2-5,6,8-13

Behind the good command to man, over the deceptive craft of the serpent, God was. And into the shame of the world’s first sinners, God walked. In the most pleasant part of the day He approached their most unpleasant situation, and called to them, eliciting responses that are key to knowing ourselves and prompting genuine repentance.

Our pursuing God confronts us with our transgressions, whether directly or indirectly, through confrontation or inner misery, in order to redeem our fallenness. Once we name the sin and acknowledge our culpability, He brings us to repentance and immediately applies His grace. Guilt is a kindness intended to drive us to restoration, from whence we have freedom. How will we answer His loving probe? (1 Samuel 15:13-14; 2 Samuel 12:1-9, 13; Psalm 32:1-5; Romans 2:4)

Where are you? God beckons us to see where our choices have taken us. Are we ashamed, guilt-riddled, hiding from being known and loved? He patiently draws us out into the light.

Who told you that you were naked? The Lord wants us to discern voices and embrace truth. Have we dismissed His word for more enticing messages from the prince of this world? How has that sin warped our mindset and distorted fellowship with Him?

Have you eaten of the forbidden tree? We must be honest about our sin. Have we or haven’t we transgressed God’s law and failed to honor Him? Fess up, it’s the only way to be free.

What is this that you have done? Do we realize the impact of sin going forward, how it affects every aspect of our work, passions, relationships, countenance, communication? Being fully aware of the gravity of our choices is the key to restoring them.

If all of life is repentance,* do we take it seriously? Failure to seek God’s search light keeps us skimming on life’s surface, spiritually superficial and likely arrogant. Thinking too highly of ourselves prevents us from recognizing our constant need for Jesus. (Revelation 3:15-19)

Worthy Lord, sharpen my conscience to every sinful choice that hides me from You. Expose motive and action to bring about purity and holiness, for the sake of Your honor.

*Martin Luther (1517)

The Captive Will

“Transgression speaks to the wicked
    deep in his heart;
there is no fear of God
    before his eyes.
For he flatters himself in his own eyes
    that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit;
    he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
He plots trouble while on his bed;
    he sets himself in a way that is not good;
    he does not reject evil.

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
    your judgments are like the great deep;
    man and beast you save, O Lord.

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
    The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
    and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light do we see light.” Psalm 36:1-9

The will of man is captive to desire and decision. For the wicked, the absence of the fear of God makes welcome room for every sort of pride-driven behavior. Arrogance begets bombast of mouth and hand. The soul is deceived so all is trouble in private and public. He cannot not do evil.

Enter the love of God. Steadfast in pursuing, saving, and keeping, the one whose will takes refuge there feasts on righteous delights. Fountains and light are the atmosphere and flow of the upright who knows he is loved.

Where we settle our minds and affections will steer the will. Dragging feet in the world ensnares us there, while fixing mind and heart above elevates desire and living. Which will we determine? (2 Corinthians 10:5; Colossians 3:1-2)

To what and whom are we captive? How thoughtfully do we steer our will? Are we keen to its tendency to wander, and quick to take refuge in God’s mercy? Do we daily invite Him to take account and expose folly and any smack of pride, then redirect our drive and hold us steady? Would we boldly turn our attention and angst away from unhealthy interest in evildoers to commit ourselves to actively delighting in the Lord? (Psalm 36:11; 37:1-5,7,27a; 139:23-24)

“Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee.

Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.” ~France’s Ridley Havergal (1874)

Father, take my will wholly captive to know and love You and to do Your bidding unto Your honor and praise.

Through Faith… He Still Speaks

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen…

“By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him… He was commended as having pleased God… By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land.” Hebrews 11:1,4-5,7-9a

The Bible’s commemorative Hall of Faith recounts individual after individual who believed God and walked by faith in such a way that the Lord saw fit to record. Ordinary men and women in rather ordinary circumstances decided to trust God over personal preference, to look to the unseen over the visible, and to act in willful obedience over natural impulse. Theirs was a rhythmic faith, their chosen way of life. It was a step by step trusting that pulsed with God-love, a means to an end not of notice but of obedience. Through their exemplary faith, they still speak and inspire and cheer on fellow sojourners today. (Hebrews 11:13,17)

Looking to these heroes of faith, including Jesus, how do they speak presently to my will, passion, and endurance? Do I struggle with flagging desire to keep on keeping on? They journeyed and worked not knowing destination or result. Have doubts about significance or success squelched the willingness to take risks for the Lord? When God issues the call and we obey, there is sure future reward. Is fear of retribution or criticism preventing us from taking a bold stand, or choosing righteousness over vapid temporal pleasure? Hoping in the future and unseen spurs us forward in practice and outworking of faith. (Hebrews 11:23,25-26,32-36; 12:1-3)

Do I accept that I’m a heaven-bound stranger here on earth and make decisions accordingly? When I am gone from this earth, what of my character, relationships, practices, investments of time and effort, and faith will still speak? What will they say? How will they encourage those behind me to follow God’s call, do the hard thing, choose peace in hard circumstances, persevere no matter earthly opposition, and look to Jesus as finisher of their faith? In what practical ways do I exemplify living faith before others?

What will I do to become better acquainted with God’s ways to deepen my confidence in His power and purposes? What can I apply from these speaking giants to present opportunities? Will I ask God to increase my faith, then act on it? (Mark 9:24)

Lord, so build my faith that in gratitude, joy, and hope for what is yet to come, I will live reverently, vibrantly, and in such a way that speaks vividly of Your grace and glory. (Hebrews 12:28)