Author: astherainandsnow

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,  let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.  This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.  And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.’

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.  But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.  But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another,  saying, ‘What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.  But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.’  So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,  for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.’  And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.” Acts 4:8,10-13,15-21

Before Pentecost the disciples were, in many situations, inconsistent. Great passion, vehement denial, confused waffling. But once the Holy Spirit rested on and in them in supernatural power, they could not not speak for Jesus. His physical-absence-become-spiritual-indwelling was an undeniable force. In the wrangle of buts and quandaries, it was evident to all that they had been with Jesus, His imprint deep on their lives. The previously reluctant observers now boldly healed and preached in His name and unstoppable power. (Matthew 8:23-27; 16:22-23; 26:69-75; John 20:24-28; Acts 3:1-12,15-16)

When God saves us, we are sealed with His Spirit and imbued with spiritual riches that unless we discover and put into practice, go unknown and unused. We can be cautious about speaking up, passive about getting involved, and miss being a conduit for spreading God’s treasures to the world. (Ephesians 1:3,13-14)

What opportunities to witness or work for the Lord Jesus do we neglect or dismiss due to spiritual enervation? What distractions, what frenzies, crowd out a free flow of God’s Spirit into and through us? Do we daily ask for His filling so we overflow with gratitude, awe, and words of truth?

Lord, do what You must to get me to where I cannot help but speak of You and for You, that You be known and praised.

“You felt secure in your wickedness;
    you said, ‘No one sees me’;
your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray,
and you said in your heart,
    ‘I am, and there is no one besides me.’
But evil shall come upon you,
    which you will not know how to charm away;
disaster shall fall upon you,
    for which you will not be able to atone;
and ruin shall come upon you suddenly,
    of which you know nothing.

“Stand fast in your enchantments
    and your many sorceries,
    with which you have labored from your youth;
perhaps you may be able to succeed;
    perhaps you may inspire terror.
You are wearied with your many counsels;
    let them stand forth and save you,
those who divide the heavens,
    who gaze at the stars,
who at the new moons make known
    what shall come upon you.

Behold, they are like stubble;
    the fire consumes them;
they cannot deliver themselves
    from the power of the flame.
No coal for warming oneself is this,
    no fire to sit before!
Such to you are those with whom you have labored,
    who have done business with you from your youth;
they wander about, each in his own direction;
    there is no one to save you.” Isaiah 47:10-15

Ah, when we settle too deeply in wicked ways, we can become blinded to them. Sorcery and horoscopes may not tempt, but pretending we are gods is a common and ruthless snare. The Lord warns against unchecked wisdom of the world, and selfish thinking, and enchantments with temporal gloss. Gossip, greed, and discontent relentlessly tease. We can become so steeped in these habits and hang with others who are too that we fail to recognize our wandering.

The father of lies would have us believe our sins will never be found out and deceive ourselves and those we love. At first hint of conviction, our flesh is prone to hiding in secrecy and shame. We prefer the darkness over discovery.

But God sees through our veneer. He uncovers the ugliest intents of the heart, and handles it with amazing love and grace. Deceit doesn’t end well unless we allow Him to expose it and flood His light in to transform.

Where is our security? In too-long-coddled rebellion that has us convinced it’s normal and ok? Has the Lord kindly startled that security into conviction, or brought consequences to crack our shell of defense and lead us to repentance? How do we respond? Do we keep trying to charm away the ruin we’ve caused in relationships, the fallout of poor choices, or even His wooing? Would we instead humble ourselves so He can bring us into the light and lift us up? (Romans 2:4; James 4:10)

“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.” ~J. Hart (1759)

Lord, I come.

“When you come to the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you possess it and dwell in it and then say, ‘I will set a king over me, like all the nations around me,’  you may indeed set a king over you whom the Lord your God will choose. One from among your brothers you shall set as king over you. You may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt to acquire many horses, since the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall never return that way again.’  And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold.

“And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.” Deuteronomy 17:14-20

Establishing Israel had much to do with establishing her leaders and their hearts. Immersed in the wicked nations around them, they would turn away; steeped in the words of their God, they would continue long in His kingdom and favor. They’d been supernaturally delivered from Egypt and all it represented by slavery and false gods, unto freedom under the true God and the blessings of His covenant. They must take care not to be enticed by idols and return. (Deuteronomy 18:9-14)

The safeguard? Staying in the word! Soaking in truth, God’s good guidelines, warnings, and promises. Let them permeate thinking and desire. Let them be a tether to impulse and instruction to curiousity. The world is full of devious seductions and deceptive distractions and there is nothing as potent as truth to combat falsehood. It gives clarity, wisdom, and fortitude. (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12)

Are we reading God’s word every day of our lives? What difference is it making in outlook, passions, and behavior? What excuses do we make for using our time otherwise, for prioritizing activity over attention? How committed are we to long obedience?

“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in God’s excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

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

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

Lord, keep Your word and glory my chief delight.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms…  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:1-3

“But now I am going to him who sent me… But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you…

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.., and he will declare to you the things that are to come…

“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament… You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy… So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” John 16:5-7,13,20,22

“While staying with them he ordered them… to wait for the promise of the Father,.. ‘you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. You will receive power.., and you will be my witnesses.'” Acts 1:4-5,8

“Weeping may tarry for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5

They had walked with Him closely for three years of His public ministry, learning, observing, conversing. The disciples could not imagine a break in this daily rhythm. Jesus had told them repeatedly He was leaving, and promised them that His absence would be and bring good. He’d be preparing their heavenly home, He’d send the Holy Spirit who would indwell them to comfort and counsel, and He’d see them again. But all change is perceived as loss, and it also actually effectuates loss. They were confused and distraught: Jesus’s departure would leave such a void… (Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23; Acts 2:1-4)

When we dwell on loss, we can miss the new and good God has in store in the aftermath. Certainly, some are shocking, life-changing, and overwhelming to handle: sudden death of a loved one, dismissal from a job, diagnosis of an incurable disease or debilitation, a move or reorganization that leaves us reeling. But holding to God’s promises engenders hope and expectancy. He is not surprised at these trials, but works His good for, in, and through us as we come out the other side. (Isaiah 43:18-19; Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 4:12-13)

Just as death to self brings new life in Christ, so a physical death, broken relationship, loss of a home, even the demise of certain dreams, brings newness that only God knows. What might He have in store? His goodness can be trusted. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20)

Are we ruing the passage of time and the loss that years bring? Do we focus on past glories that have swelled in importance and value, frozen from attempting change or new successes? Are we dwelling on how things were, the old guard, former standards, unable to look ahead to today’s (and future) opportunities? Would we thank God for His providence in past good, then set confident hope on Him and toward the new good He’s unfolding? (Philippians 3:14)

Father, through every parting, keep me grateful for redemptive changes You bring and by which You are glorified.

“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath… But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast…

“Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated.., having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ… So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” Ephesians 2:1-9,12-13,19

The love of God shines in the cross. There Jesus opened the way to Him, freeing us from sin’s shackles by suffering its penalty. As spiritual aliens lost in darkness and without hope, we have no other plea before Him. Only because of His astounding affection set upon us, and His blood that named us His beloved, are we saved unto His immeasurable riches and kindness. Shall we ever get over it? (Isaiah 53:4-10; Hosea 2:23; Romans 9:25)

“Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:10

The guilty need to be pardoned. It is not by pleading guilty, but by pleading Jesus, that we receive that pardon. His crucifixion, not our confession, effects the power of salvation. We cannot muster faith, but can muster praise that by grace His gift of faith prompts us to believe unto everlasting life. (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10)

What will it take to remove us– our performance, positive thoughts, nice deeds, even faith- from the spotlight, and put the cross in? Would we bow and thank God this day for His amazing, undeserved, life-giving love?

“Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

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.” ~Charlotte Elliot (1789-1871)

My Savior, may I never forget and always sing of Your gracious, costly gift of salvation, to Your highest honor and praise.

“Woe is me, my mother, that you bore me, a man of strife and contention to the whole land! I have not lent, nor have I borrowed, yet all of them curse me.  The Lord said, ‘Have I not set you free for their good? Have I not pleaded for you before the enemy in the time of trouble and in the time of distress?’..

O Lord, you know;
    remember me and visit me,
    and take vengeance for me on my persecutors.
In your forbearance take me not away;
    know that for your sake I bear reproach.
Your words were found, and I ate them,
    and your words became to me a joy
    and the delight of my heart,
for I am called by your name,
    O Lord, God of hosts…

“Therefore thus says the Lord..:
‘If you return, I will restore you,
    and you shall stand before me.’
If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless,
    you shall be as my mouth…
And I will make you to this people
    a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you,
    but they shall not prevail over you,
for I am with you
    to save you and deliver you,
declares the Lord.
I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked,
    and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.’” Jeremiah 15:10-11,15-16,19b-21

Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, took his complaint to the Lord. Had he not done and spoken all God commanded, and only to rejection, ridicule, and cursing? Was his obedience to no avail in Judah? And the Lord answered with questions: Had He not appointed him for Judah’s good? Had He not pleaded for his faithful servant? What Jeremiah struggled with in emotion and flesh God undertook for in the heavenlies. Any reproach suffered was shared, understood, and covered. (Psalm 69:9)

For us, there are beliefs and obediences God requires that may stir strife and contention with those around us. While we need to discern whether we contribute to that with any errant pride or attitude, we can expect that our Lord’s patterns and truths will meet resistance. If we answer to Him and not our peers, we will know He is on our side, ever interceding for us, and be at peace. No trouble or vilification, no attack or slander, can remove us from the cover of His love or subject of His intercession. We may be buffeted and shaken for a season here below, but we are safe and secure with our heavenly Advocate forever. (John 17:13-16; Romans 8:31-39; Hebrews 7:25)

When we have complaint, justified anguish due to blatant sin and disregard of the Holy God, where do we voice it? Are we quick to spout it off to others with whine or disrespect, or more quickly fly to God who knows all, works all for good, and helps us gain perspective? When criticized or castigated, do we lash back, pity ourselves as victims, or check motive and methods to ensure they align with God’s? How is the Lord increasing our faith through the hard obedience of proclaiming His word amidst rejection? He’s on our side!

Father, my strength, stronghold, and refuge in the day of trouble, thank you for pleading for me. Help me obey with zeal, believing Your intercession makes a difference, looking for Your glory to be revealed. (Jeremiah 16:19a)

“When men fall, do they not rise again?
If one turns away, does he not return?
Why then has this people turned away
in perpetual backsliding?
They hold fast to deceit;
they refuse to return.
I have paid attention and listened,
but they have not spoken rightly;
no man relents of his evil,
saying, ‘What have I done?’
Everyone turns to his own course,
like a horse plunging headlong into battle…
My people know not
the rules of the Lord.

“How can you say, ‘We are wise,
and the law of the Lord is with us’?
But behold, the lying pen of the scribes
has made it into a lie.
The wise men… have rejected the word of the Lord,
so what wisdom is in them?..
From the least to the greatest
everyone is greedy for unjust gain;
from prophet to priest,
everyone deals falsely.
They have healed the wound of my people lightly,
saying, ‘Peace, peace,’
when there is no peace.
Were they ashamed when they committed abomination?
No, they were not at all ashamed;
they did not know how to blush.
Therefore they shall fall among the fallen..,
says the Lord.
When I would gather them, declares the Lord,
there are no grapes on the vine,
nor figs on the fig tree;
even the leaves are withered,
and what I gave them has passed away from them...

“The Lord our God… has given us poisoned water to drink,
    because we have sinned against the Lord.” Jeremiah 8:4-15

Rejecting the Word is a costly and causal choice, effecting great calamity and judgment on individuals and nations. Man is quick to blame people, circumstances, and institutional failures for difficulties and ruin, when often he is the one who’s ignored the Lord to his and others’ detriment. He deceives and is deceived, he spins in a perpetual sin spiral, he is gullible to lies and oblivious to his own folly. Willful ignorance and rebellion promulgate more of the same, and the Lord will not be mocked. No generosity, no shame, no fruit? The Lord will not stand for this abominable disregard of His good and life-giving gifts. (Galatians 6:7-8)

In our day we are most privileged with ready access to God’s Word, yet time and again we deliberately neglect it. We clamor for the latest word from an expert or influencer, for what is trending or ‘viral,’ and tune out the ancient Wisdom. We condone its banishment from society by complacency, bashing among ourselves without action, and an unwillingness to proclaim and defend it publicly. (Psalm 147:19-20; Jeremiah 7:2,23)

Personally, God calls us to return, get back to the Word, and repent. The Spirit convicts and quickens our hearts, and the Lord offers cleansing and peace. Collectively, we must implore God for His mercy on rebels who know not what they do. We need to pray for our leaders and communities and nations. (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 51:1-4,10; Daniel 9:3-19; Luke 23:34; 1 John 1:8-9)

How honestly do we live before God, and others? When are we steeping in God’s living word, and into what barrenness are we pouring it? When and how are we praying for those crushed by calamity? (Hebrews 4:12)

Lord, help me faithfully, zealously do my part to avert calamity by loving, living, and spreading your Word.

“Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel… And the Lord said to Joshua, ‘See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once… for six days. Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn,.. then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.^’So Joshua called the priests.., ‘Take up the ark of the covenant and let seven priests bear seven trumpets before the ark of the Lord… Go forward. March around the city and let the armed men pass on before the ark of the Lord.’

“And just as Joshua had commanded the people, the seven priests bearing the trumpets of rams’ horns before the Lord went forward, blowing the trumpets, with the ark of the covenant of the Lord following them…

“On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times… And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said, ‘Shout, for the Lord has given you the city’… So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.” Joshua 6:1-8,15-16,20

The plan sounded far-fetched, even unrealistic. Conquer an established, walled city ruled by a king and mighty men of valor by blowing trumpets? And in such strange manner? Why the intrigue of seven days of silent marching, and seven circumnavigations on the seventh day? The plan of the Lord seemed oddly curious, but the word of the Lord proved powerful. Joshua led Israel in a battle of faith. They defeated Jericho not by sword and spear but by obedience and confidence in the promise of God. (Psalm 20:7)

We live so much of our lives seeing through a mirror dimly, nit-picking at requirements we don’t understand, angry at this, worried about that. Our flesh vantage point fuzzies the possibilities of a transcendent, wonder-working God and we miss out on experiencing His marvels. We fear stepping out in faith because we lose desired control. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

But our Lord calls us to conquer these tendency-enemies, these squatters that take up space in our spirit land He wants to rule. Every mind- and control-grab is a rejection of surrender to Christ, a shrugging off of faith. We can’t serve two masters. (Matthew 6:24)

Will we continue in worldly practices, unwilling to test God’s promises, or take up the trumpet and set about God’s ways? What self-crafted tools of trade need we exchange for those of faith?

Lord, help me release my ways of thinking and doing to believe Yours, and so marvel at Your amazing glory.

“Hear and give ear; be not proud,
    for the Lord has spoken.
Give glory to the Lord your God
    before he brings darkness,
before your feet stumble
    on the twilight mountains,
and while you look for light
    he turns it into gloom
    and makes it deep darkness.
But if you will not listen,
    my soul will weep in secret for your pride;
my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears,
    because the Lord’s flock has been taken captive…
And if you say in your heart,
    ‘Why have these things come upon me?’
it is for the greatness of your iniquity
    that your skirts are lifted up
    and you suffer violence.
Can the Ethiopian change his skin
    or the leopard his spots?
Then also you can do good
    who are accustomed to do evil.
I will scatter you like chaff
    driven by the wind from the desert.
This is your lot,
    the portion I have measured out to you, declares the Lord,
because you have forgotten me
    and trusted in lies.
I myself will lift up your skirts over your face,
    and your shame will be seen.
I have seen your abominations,
    your adulteries and neighings, your lewd whorings,
    on the hills in the field.
Woe to you, O Jerusalem!
    How long will it be before you are made clean?” Jeremiah 13:15-17,22-27

“Though our iniquities testify against us,
    act, O Lord, for your name’s sake;
for our backslidings are many;
    we have sinned against you.
O you hope of Israel,
    its savior in time of trouble…
You, O Lord, are in the midst of us,
    and we are called by your name;
    do not leave us.” Jeremiah 14:7-8a,9b

Israel’s sin was a heinous affront to God’s holiness, goodness, and love, and its repugnance deserved God’s wrath. Yet, the very fact it was known, and identified as iniquity against Him, testified to His presence with them. His word elucidates and His Spirit convicts. Israel’s anguished appeal in light of their just punishment was that yet their covenant LORD was in their midst. Would He, could He, leave forever? (Psalm 119:105; John 16:8)

We, too, are an abhorrent people. We, too, have wickedly rebelled against God’s holy law and order. Our moral abominations and lewd whorings with strange gods are a repulsive affront to His righteousness. Yet He remains in the midst of His beloved children, and with God’s presence abides His mercy. With God’s presence abides His love. The very fact that He is nigh is proof of His promise never to leave or forsake us. We deserve His wrath, but Jesus in love bore the penalty on our behalf. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

What sins am I excusing? Where am I professing, promoting, or provoking lies by behavior I condone or falsehoods I let be repeated without correction? Are there attitudes I hold or express that are an abomination to my holy God? Have I fallen so far it feels impossible to repair? Would I bring these to His throne of grace and confess them one by one? He is faithful and just to forgive. (Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 1:9)

Gracious Father, in all things wrong and miserable, may I remember that yet You, my covenant God, are near, and You redeem. Allelujah! (Psalm 103:1-4)

“In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,  until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.  He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

“And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ‘you heard from me;  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…’

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’  And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” Acts 1:1-5,8-9

Biblically speaking, to give a charge was to bolster that charge with attending promise. The Lord did not command what He would not enable. Luke, writing after Jesus’s ascension, is reminding the disciples of His charge to witness and stoking their anticipation for the coming Spirit He had promised Who would empower this service. Time and again throughout the Scriptures, God’s people given God’s commands were fortified with the promises of God’s presence and power. Those who readily obeyed experienced the fulfillment. (Genesis 12:1-4; Exodus 3:1-17; Joshua 1:1-9; Matthew 28:18-20)

Jesus not only promised the Spirit’s help, but that they would meet opposition. The disciples went forth in bold obedience, believing that every promise would come true and Jesus would triumph. He worked through and blessed even their conflicts and persecution. As 19th century British missionary to China Hudson Taylor said, “Depend on it. God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply. He is too wise a God to frustrate His purposes for lack.” (Matthew 10:17-22; 24:9-11; Philippians 4:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Timothy 3:12)

How eagerly do we respond to God’s call to a new obedience- a work, relationship, or ministry? Are we reluctant because of insecurity in our abilities, or fear of being stretched, or of the unknown? Do we prefer to remain where things seem easy and without resistance? Would we give attention to search the Bible for confirmation, of both call and provision, then take Him at His word? What promises have we chosen to grip in challenging situations, to stand on when we would otherwise tremble?

The Bible is full of commands that teach us the way to walk as citizens, family members, in recreation, business, our spiritual and church life. It is also rife with promises of wisdom and guidance from God’s word, strength, comfort and help from the Spirit. If we ever feel alone, unable, or anxious, we can claim His pledges to us and in faith proceed. He is always present, able to give abounding grace and ample sustenance, and will see us through as we trust Him. (2 Corinthians 9:8; Colossians 3:12-24; Hebrews 13:5)

Lord, may I promptly take up Your charge, trusting the power of Your word as I give it out. Have Your way, to Your glory!