Author: astherainandsnow

“Moses continued to speak these words to all Israel.  And he said, ‘I am 120 years old today. I am no longer able to go out and come in. The Lord has said to me, “You shall not go over this Jordan.” The Lord your God himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations before you, so that you shall dispossess them, and Joshua will go over at your head, as the Lord has spoken. And the Lord will do to them as he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when he destroyed them. And the Lord will give them over to you, and you shall do to them according to the whole commandment that I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.’

“Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land.., and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’” Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Humble Moses, friend of God, encouraged Israel as an outflow of his relationship and ongoing communion with his Lord. The end of his life was all about his God, not himself, and giving generously from all he’d received. What he said was fueled by what he knew to be true. What he closed his life with was a continuation of what he’d lived all along: a steady understanding and living out of God’s word. A faithful walk of grappling with disappointment and trusting a Lord who’d never forsaken him. Moses carried no bitterness over the consequences of his sin. He gave instruction to remain in and follow God’s word- it was indeed a lifeline. He gave clear testimony to God’s greatness, and bestowed uplifting promises upon his successor Joshua. (Exodus 33:11-12; Numbers 20:10-13; Deuteronomy 3:23-28; 31:9-30; 32:47)

Encourage: to inspire with courage, confidence, or hope; give support. If we’ve walked with the Lord for any length of time, we own much we can share to put courage into others. We know the Lord in ways He wants to reveal to our family members and friends. We’ve walked through doubt and despair with a faithful Shepherd whom colleagues need to know. We’ve experienced victories and refreshment others long for. (Psalm 23:1-4)

When has the Lord walked alongside in a hard situation? How has He met us in grief and undertaken for our needs? In what hardships has He stretched and confirmed our faith? How can we build up the body and magnify God’s praise by giving testimony to His love, abiding, and faithfulness? What truths about His character, intervention, and inspiration have we come to know firsthand that we can tell for His fame (not ours)? How can we specifically point others to His sufficiency and redeeming power? Whom will we tell of His steadfast care and mercy? (1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11; Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25)

Who in my life who needs particular encouragement today? What truth, what benediction, what admonition or refreshment will I give?

Lord, make me generous to share from all You’ve taught and done, and so build up Your body to maturing faith.

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

“For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off.  It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’  Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.” Deuteronomy 29:29; 30:11-14

“I will give you the treasures of darkness
    and the hoards in secret places,
that you may know that it is I, the Lord,
    the God of Israel, who call you by your name.” Isaiah 45:3

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3

“I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15

There are many treasures the Lord entrusts to His children, and some He keeps to Himself. He is limitless and incomprehensible and wants us to stay suspended in wonder at His infinite majesty. He knows what knowledge we can handle and when, and reveals and supplies what we need for moments and situations. He measures sufficient grace in His timely wise way to teach trust and dependence. He invites us into the secret place to seek Him and His insights, and delights to answer our prayers and longings. His measureless treasure store of secrets should keep us ever yearning for more of Him, ever growing in love for Him. (Matthew 6:6-8; 2 Corinthians 12:8-9)

We are accountable for what has been revealed to us and to draw on the Spirit we’ve been given to put those secrets into practice. As we travel through our days, we can seek a heart of wisdom and so carry an eternal perspective. The Lord gives power to live what we know to be true and right, and to exercise faith that will continue to grow. (Psalm 90:12; 1 Corinthians 2:9-10)

What are we investing of time and focus to understand the secret things of God? In what ways are they becoming real to us, and applied to our interactions, decisions, worship?

“Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all praise we would render, O help us to see
’tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.” ~Walter C. Smith (1867)

Father, keep me in wonder and hunger for more and more of Thee. Help me rightly handle the secrets You hold and reveal to Your glory.

“‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord,
    ‘and my servant whom I have chosen,
that you may know and believe me
    and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
    nor shall there be any after me.
I, I am the Lord,
    and besides me there is no savior.
I declared and saved and proclaimed..;
    and you are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I am God.
Henceforth I am he;
    there is none who can deliver from my hand;
    I work, and who can turn it back?’

“’I, I am he
    who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
    and I will not remember your sins.'” Isaiah 43:10-13,25

“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel
    and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
‘I am the first and I am the last;
    besides me there is no god.
Who is like me? Let him proclaim it…
Is there a God besides me?
    There is no Rock; I know not any…’

“Thus says your Redeemer,
    who formed you from the womb:
‘I am the Lord, who made all things’..,
who says of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be inhabited,’
    and of the cities of Judah, ‘They shall be built,
    and I will raise up their ruins.’” Isaiah 44:6-8,24,26a

“‘I am the Lord, and there is no other,
    besides me there is no God…

“‘I made the earth
    and created man on it…
I have stirred him up in righteousness,
    and I will make all his ways level…
Surely God is in you, and there is no other,
    no god besides him…’
Israel is saved by the Lord
    with everlasting salvation;
you shall not be put to shame or confounded
    to all eternity.

“‘I am the Lord, and there is no other…
I the Lord speak the truth;
    I declare what is right…
Declare and present your case;
    let them take counsel together!..
There is no other god besides me,
a righteous God and a Savior.’

“’Turn to me and be saved,
    all the ends of the earth!
    For I am God, and there is no other…

“’In the Lord all the offspring of Israel
    shall be justified and shall glory.’” Isaiah 45:5,12-13,14,17-18,19,21-22,25

A high view of majestic God does wonders for defining mankind. We see His holiness against our depravity, His greatness against our need, His power against our frailty, His infinite wisdom against our finite thought. He is self-sufficient and all-sufficient, loving kind and good through and through. He is God and we are not. He is the Savior, the Redeemer of all that is broken and suffered in brokenness. (Psalm 119:75-76; 1 Peter 5:10-11)

The world offers many a panacea, yet none but the Lord can redeem. Who but God knows all things and has the power to convict, cleanse, and recreate? What but the blood of the perfect Christ can atone for my sin? Who but Love Himself mercifully pursues and accepts one such as me? (Romans 5:8-11; Hebrews 9:22; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 4:8)

If this God is on our side, why do we faint in fear and shame? If we are loved by this Savior, whom are we telling about His grace? When will I descend my throne? (Romans 8:31-39)

Lord, may my life exhibit Your graces and exalt Your unique glory.

“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Fire goes before him
and burns up his adversaries all around.
His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.

Zion hears and is glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O Lord.
For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods…
Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!” Psalm 97:1-6,8-9,11-12

From sea to sea and in between, chaos reigns in the cities, confusion in the hearts of men. Natural beauty abounds, relational love soothes, yet clouds and thick darkness loom in Eden’s pall. What is the meaning? Where shall we turn? Will we be shaken forever? God reigns from His unshakable throne and in every instance has the last best say. (Genesis 3:23-24; Isaiah 24:10-12)

When all seems unjust and the wicked win here, we must remember true righteousness and justice will not fail. Though shrouded now they will triumph in the end. The most heinous of rebels will be judged, confusion will become understanding, and the most formidable foes will be brought to naught, wickedness and power dissolved by His might. See His glory? Set your hope! Rejoice! (Revelation 21:1-8; 22:14)

What in the world causes my spirit to tremble? Where does angst rule in business, finances, relationships, outlook? What drought of love or turmoil of emotion looms over my days? What blight of sins’ shame or pests of temptation weigh heavy and threaten to drench hope and freedom? What if I fully rejoiced in the Lord who has the last say, trusting He is good and it is best?

“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)

Lord, away from the madding world may I be firmly established in the certainty of You, and with renewed strength and hope praise Your unchanging goodness and glory. (Isaiah 41:1a)

“Now Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, ‘Keep the whole commandment that I command you today. And on the day you cross over the Jordan to the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall set up large stones and plaster them with plaster. And you shall write on them all the words of this law, when you cross over to enter the land that the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you. And when you have crossed over the Jordan, you shall set up these stones, concerning which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall plaster them with plaster. And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. You shall wield no iron tool on them; you shall build an altar to the Lord your God of uncut stones. And you shall offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God, and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and shall eat there, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God. And you shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.’” Deuteronomy 27:1-8

On the day you arrive. God knew first things became first things, and that establishing a healthy order in practice would imprint the priority on the heart. Set up large stones. Inscribe My word. Make offerings. Remember Me.

When Israel entered the long-anticipated promised land there would be much to see and investigate and do. Distraction and duties would beckon and entice. But there must be a primary work and focus, and from that all else would flow. God’s word must be inscribed in their minds and impressed on their hearts, established as the lens through which they saw and went about their new life. And He must continually be acknowledged as LORD: Lord of matter, Lord of rules, Lord of life. This would make a land of blessing. (Deuteronomy 28:1-6,9)

For us, we are to make a place, establish a time, location, commitment where we will meet with our God. It likely won’t be a stone altar or even a same set space, but it can be a consistent habit, a guarded pledge to a time away from the tools and tasks of day to day toward God’s word and ways. It should be a focused time of soaking in His truths and surrender to His will. (Romans 12:1-2)

Where is our immovable stone altar? What space have we determined, apart from the tools of media and outside voices, to receive God’s indelible word and meditate on it? How much of ourselves do we offer each day, and what has been His return? We will not experience the promised blessings of obedience until we do our part.

Lord, keep me faithful to my altar of devotion fixed on Christ the Cornerstone. May Your established pattern and promises be my lifeline and joy, that You are exalted and Your grace be made known. (Isaiah 28:16)

“Open to me the gates of righteousness,
    that I may enter through them
    and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
    the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me
    and have become my salvation.” Psalm 118:19-21

“Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord, strong and mighty,
    the Lord, mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And lift them up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord of hosts,
    he is the King of glory!” Psalm 24:7-10

“Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!” Psalm 100:3-4

The gates of the Lord work both ways. The gates of righteousness stand open, inviting, that we might enter to know Jesus as Victor and Savior, that we might see and receive His glory. In grace He widens them to reveal the King in His regal splendor, to beckon us through to approach with worship and praise. And we in faith open the doors of our hearts that this King might enter in and take His throne, ruling every aspect of our lives as we bow in humble servitude to His loving Lordship. The wider they swing, the broader our faith and deeper our maturity in Christ.

If we have entered God’s gates of salvation in bold trust, we have an obligation to open them to others. By example and word, by love and demeanor, we invite kings and commoners- all the needy- to the threshold and present truth so they are drawn irresistibly to enter. How often do we enter on our own and sing praises? When do we draw nigh to pray for opportunity and individuals? Whom have we brought near and shown the glory of the Almighty through His word and ways? (Jeremiah 7:2; 17:19-20)

“Open now thy gates of beauty,
Zion, let me enter there,
Where my soul in joyful duty
Waits for Him who answers prayer.
Oh, how blessed is this place,
Filled with solace, light and grace!

Gracious God, I come before Thee,
Come Thou also down to me;
Where we find Thee and adore Thee,
There a heav’n on earth must be.
To my heart, oh, enter Thou,
Let it be Thy temple now!

Here Thy praise is gladly chanted,
Here Thy seed is duly sown;
Let my soul, where it is planted,
Bring forth precious sheaves alone,
So that all I hear may be
Fruitful unto life in me.

Thou my faith increase and quicken,
Let me keep Thy gift divine,
Howsoe’er temptations thicken;
May Thy Word still o’er me shine
As my guiding star through life,
As my comfort in my strife.

Speak, O God, and I will hear Thee,
Let Thy will be done indeed;
May I undisturbed draw near Thee
While Thou dost Thy people feed.
Here of life the fountain flows,
Here is balm for all our woes.” ~Benjamin Schlock (1730)

Lord, may I swing wide Your gates to others and magnify Your glory.

“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it, you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land.., and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the Lord your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there.  And you shall go to the priest… and say, ‘I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’  Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the Lord your God.

“And you shall make response before the Lord your God, ‘A wandering Aramean was my father [who] went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. The Egyptians… humiliated us and laid on us hard labor. Then we cried to the Lord,.. and [he] heard our voice and saw our affliction, toil, and oppression. And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm,.. into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.  And now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O Lord, have given me.’ And you shall set it down before the Lord and worship…  And you shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given.” Deuteronomy 26:1-11a

When you reach a good place, a resting place, a bountiful place, gather some of your first of all. Choose some first and best and take it to God’s place, declare to God His promises, offer to God His gifts and thanks and worship and joy. All is from Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:16)

While this offering is an act of obedience, it promulgates much more. In acknowledging that God owns everything and is the only distributor of gifts, we exalt His greatness and our servitude, establishing proper relationship. We learn dependence, gratitude, and to bow. We also provide for others and so learn the habit of generosity. What is done in body seeps into heart and soul. His commands become a delight and His favor a righteous expectation. (Deuteronomy 26:12-13,15-19; James 1:17)

The Lord has given all things, including the opportunity to be a steward and guidelines for living. He gives liberally of His Spirit to quicken holy desire and enable zealous obedience. He bestows much all from which we discern the first, and develops joyful obedience and faith as we do His good will. His intention for His treasured possession is beyond our imagining! Would we set about to discover His best and explore its vastness? (1 Corinthians 2:9)

What keeps us questioning God’s order of things? If we know from the Scriptures that His ways are best and for our good, what keeps us choosing otherwise? What selfish impulses need we confess and, by the Spirit’s strength, put away forever? When we hoard His riches we miss out on God’s spiritual return, and have only gain to anticipate when we follow His instructions. Which will it be?

Father, may I never forget that every good gift is from You and for You. I offer You my all for Your use and glory.

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!..

Some wandered in desert wastes,
    finding no way to a city to dwell in;
hungry and thirsty,
    their soul fainted within them.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way
    till they reached a city to dwell in.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he satisfies the longing soul,
    and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    prisoners in affliction and in irons,
for they had rebelled against the words of God,
    and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor;
    they fell down, with none to help.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
    and burst their bonds apart.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he shatters the doors of bronze
    and cuts in two the bars of iron.” Psalm 107:1,4-16

The human condition is a lost cause, an endless repetition of rebel choices and relentless messes mired in willfully chosen darkness. But for the grace of God. Fickle man cries to the Lord from the misery of distress, He answers and delivers. O give Him thanks for His steadfast love! (Psalm 107:17-22)

We set about our industry with cocky self-assurance, and attribute success and favor to God’s deserved graces or good fortune. We foolishly wander from God’s good word, we flirt with and dance around full commitment, we spurn His way for self-determined choices, and suffer harsh consequences. God breaks our iron fist on control and brings us to the end of self-sufficiency. He hears our desperation and in grace, comes with redemptive mercy to lead us freely into His garden of heavenly delights. O give Him thanks for His steadfast love! (Psalm 107:23-32)

God always knows what He is doing and what is best for His people to bring about His plans. In wisdom He turns our plans inside out, His wondrous deeds to perform. He does all things well as He accomplishes His bidding to humble and exalt, to teach wisdom and provide. O give Him thanks for His steadfast love! (Psalm 107:33-43; Isaiah 14:24; 46:10)

If we know all these things to be true, what makes us chafe at His leading? Rebel against His commands? Keep steaming forward presuming on His mercy, disregarding what we know will incur hurtful consequences? If we know His grace, would we not be humbled, grateful, and want to please Him? (Romans 6:1-2,6)

What will we implement or change to arrest unhealthy, godly cycles of impulse, attitude, and behavior? How will we breathe an inflow and outflow of fresh mercies from God and toward others?

Father, for all Your mercies, new every morning, may I praise You, and live according to Your grace and in Your steadfast love, for Your glory and pleasure. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

“Open my eyes, that I may behold
    wondrous things out of your law.” Psalm 119:18

“From this time forth I announce to you new things,
    hidden things that you have not known.
They are created now, not long ago;
    before today you have never heard of them,
    lest you should say, ‘Behold, I knew them.’
You have never heard, you have never known,
    from of old your ear has not been opened.” Isaiah 48:6b-8a

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it… The Helper, the Holy Spirit,.. will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:13-14,26

“You do not have, because you do not ask.” James 4:2

There are many things we do not know, areas where we bumble along clumsily or ignorantly in this life because we take not time to learn. Certainly there are gifts and abilities we will never have, but as those in Christ there is a myriad of spiritual riches and knowledge we never tap. The Lord Jesus urges His own to ask in order to receive, knowing that our inquiry and dependence are key to our appropriating His provision. Even our sanctification is forged through cooperation with and obedience to His Spirit. (Matthew 6:6-13)

Yet we live as paupers and are complacently willing to do so. From the beginning the devil has tricked us into thinking God wants to withhold, that He ordered our incompleteness and as a tyrant will keep it that way. But the Lord designed and desires for us a rich relationship with Him that fosters longing, trusting, and acting in faith to grow. (Genesis 3:1-8; Psalm 16:11; John 10:10; 15:11)

When we ask specifically, we’ve identified what we desire and need. When we ask expectantly, we listen and look for answers. When we receive and heed answers, we learn the joys of obedience and God’s gracious provision. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Where am I lacking in righteous desire or understanding? What specifically do I need of patience, grace, or insight for certain situations? Where am I inept or weak that only God can undertake and supply? Would I ask, and believe He will answer?

Do I not ask for answers, acumen, or ability because I am unwilling to learn new ways? Do I not ask because I’m afraid of what God might require me to change or to put away? Do I not ask because I’m lazy and prefer status quo, doing what I can decently and loafing in excuses for what I can’t? (Philippians 2:3-4)

“Spirit of God, who dwells within my heart,
wean it from sin, through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as you are,
and make me love you as I ought to love.

Teach me to feel that you are always nigh;
teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,
to check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
teach me the patience of unceasing prayer.

Teach me to love you as your angels love,
one holy passion filling all my frame:
the fullness of the heaven-descended Dove;
my heart an altar, and your love the flame.” ~George Croly (1854)

Amen.

“You shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments,.. lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied,.. then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground.., who brought you water out of the flinty rock, who fed you in the wilderness with manna.., that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth… And if you forget the Lord and go after other gods… and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.” Deuteronomy 8:10-19

Moses spoke with authority and love. His words encouraged and admonished. He instructed God’s people, his people, to take care to make the most of the incredible blessings they’d received and would procure from God. He knew weak flesh, pride, the fickle human heart. And he knew they’d be the downfall of a people set apart for holiness. So he explained that if they strayed into smugness and thinking they deserved everything over which God had made them only stewards, and could use it for their own ends, they’d be corrected, even punished. God would impose hurt so good would result. Under His punishment they’d hurt so good they’d learn their lesson never to touch His glory or ownership. (Numbers 20:7-13; Isaiah 42:8; 48:11)

When we enjoy fruits of our labors and receive bounty from the Lord, directly or through others, we might forget the reasons He has blessed us. Pleasure becomes self-perpetuating and like adrenaline stokes a sense of greed or desert. We zero in on stuff and strokes and lose the higher view. But God is the One who gives power to get wealth, He is the giver of every good and perfect gift, and bestows blessing to humble us toward Him and make us grateful. He will not put up with puffed up personal pride. He loves us too much to let us slip into such foolish idolatry. (1 Chronicles 29:11-13; James 1:17)

Do I jealously claim God’s ownership over all in my realm and care every day? What portion of my prayer time is devoted to thanksgiving? How would my attitude change if I opened, rather than clenched, my hands? Where am I experiencing hurt that the Lord intends for a greater good? Where is He testing me as divine good, and how am I faring with stewardship and utilization for the good of others?

Lord, please give me a daily heart of wisdom, appropriating time and resources with thanksgiving as Your gifts. Make me grateful for hurts You deliver for good, to bring You glory. (Psalm 90:12,15)