As the rain and snow

“The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord gave them into the hand of Midian seven years. And the hand of Midian overpowered Israel… And Israel was brought very low because of Midian. And the people of Israel cried out for help to the Lord.

“When the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, [he] sent a prophet.., ‘Thus says the Lord: I led you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of slavery… I said to you,.. “You shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.” But you have not obeyed my voice.’

“Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites.  And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.’  And Gideon said to him, ‘Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us?.. But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.’ And the Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?’ And he said, ‘Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.’  And the Lord said to him, ‘But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.’” Judges 6:1-2,6-8,10-16

Yet another national disaster held Israel captive, as once again they reaped hard consequences for wickedness they’d sown. Desperate, with too familiar déjà vu, they cried to God for help. His response? Their punishment was deserved, they had blatantly disobeyed.

But with mercy, into every crooked generation the Lord raises up people to do His work. They may not be those the world would choose as a hero, nor the most eloquent, attractive, or educated, but His people for His purposes. Their results might be spectacular, or silent, invisible, and impossible to measure- they are up to God. His chosen instruments are called only to be faithful. (Exodus 4:10; 1 Samuel 16:7; Isaiah 6:5-8; Jeremiah 1:4-9; 1 Corinthians 1:20,26-30; Philippians 2:15)

Where has the Lord planted us to be His emissaries- home, community, workplace, church? How are we specifically serving Him this season, in our culture, utilizing unique gifts under His inspiration and control? What relationships would He have us hone rather than ignore, what unappreciated tasks tackle rather than put off, what civic responsibilities obey rather than shirk? If He has indeed assigned our place and time, He will supply wisdom and strength for His particular intentions. If we make ourselves available, and coincidentally offer our capabilities while accepting the opportunities He brings, He’ll direct and employ our involvement and contribution. (Isaiah 33:6; Acts 13:36; 17:26)

“Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict
in this his glorious day.
Ye that are men now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger
and strength to strength oppose.” ~George Duffield (1858)

Lord, keep me willing and trustworthy to be used for Your purposes in my time, for Your good and glory.

“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work…
I was beside him, like a master workman,..
rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.” Proverbs 8:22,30-31

“An angel of the Lord appeared to him.., saying,.. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’” Matthew 1:20-21

“A blind man… cried out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me recover my sight.^’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.^’ And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God.” Luke 18:35,38,40-43

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” “Let it be known to all of you… that by the name of Jesus Christ.., whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’” Joel 2:32; Acts 4:10,12; 22:16

“Being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Philippians 2:8-11

Like a strand of dark beads blown in slow motion against the pale, a long string of birds soared. Swooping and dipping in the early sky, all fly in the same direction in the current of new light. As though by some irresistible, invisible pull, they follow a silent call.

We enter our days in varying positions, fueled by differing strengths, pressed or held by different circumstances. Whatever our place or pressure, we remain intact and moving forward if we yield to the draw of Jesus. He gives loft, He steers rightly, He sustains if we call on His name.

Are we struggling with identity, wondering where we belong and what’s our purpose this season of life? Call on Jesus! He’s made us in His image and will conform us to it. (Genesis 1:26; Romans 8:29)

Are we desperate for impossible wisdom for crushing decisions? Call on Jesus! Are we needy for comfort once those decisions are made, and strength to go on in hope? Call on Jesus! (James 1:5)

Are we distant from family, forgotten by friends, without community? Call on Jesus! His Spirit abides with us forever. (Matthew 28:20; John 14:16; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

Are we spiritually lost? Needing healing of mind, soul, or body? Call on Jesus! He stands to save and restore. (Hebrews 7:25)

“Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.” ~Mary Byrne (1880-1931)

Amen, Jesus!

“[And Moses said,] For what are we, that you grumble against us? When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.”

“All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’ And Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?’ But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, ‘Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?’ So Moses cried to the Lord, ‘What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.’ And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.’ And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, ‘Is the Lord among us or not?'” Exodus 16:7b-8; 17:1-7

Too soon after the Israelites had seen the whole of the Red Sea divided for their escape from Egypt, they became shortsighted with their difficulties. Rather than maintaining a long across-the-sea view of God’s mercies and high-as-the-piled-water view of His majesty and power, they succumbed to the puddled inward misery of self-absorption. And they took it out on their steadfast leader, opposing him at every turn- grumbling, quarreling, complaining. Their distorted spiritual vision kept them from recognizing they were really opposing God Himself. They sought comfort, Moses sought the Lord. (Exodus 14:16-31; 15:22-24)

Having an understanding and fear of the holy God makes a big difference in the way and measure we bicker and battle. The enemy is intent on blinding eyes in unbelief so there is little sense of accountability to anyone or anything but selfish desires. Encased in an us vs. them mentality, man becomes hardened to decency and loves to blame. My misery is your fault.

Is this where we are, always looking for what’s wrong and who else caused it? Whining at every turn, forcing others to be miserable too? DO others take out their frustrations on us? If so, would we, like Moses, take angst and pressures to the Lord? How can we maintain a right perspective on God’s sovereignty, ongoing grace, and our stewardship of all He has given? Would we deflect quarreling by pointing others to Him?

Lord, fix my longings and satisfaction on You, and help me point others to Your goodness and grace.

“If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, ‘The seventh year, the year of release is near,’ and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the Lord against you, and you be guilty of sin.  You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.  For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’

“As the Lord your God has blessed you, you shall give to him.  You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today.”

“Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.” Deuteronomy 15:7-11,14b-15; 16:17

“You received without paying; give without pay.” Matthew 10:8

Most of the laws given through Moses dictated action, but all action begins with the seed of thought. Out of the overflow of the heart we speak and behave, so tending the thought life is vital to fruitful living. Faced regularly with challenges and varying situations, an upright mind procures righteous actions and reactions. It is vital to know who am I before God, who is He, and how would He have me see others?

If I coddle flesh desires and center life around me, I’ll get spiritually off kilter and critical of others. If I boast and hoard my rights, I’ll mistreat others. But if I remember the Cross and its gospel of grace and deliverance, I will perceive people and circumstances in its holy light: we are all captives until rescued by Jesus. I am no king of my domain but a ransomed slave. I’m no master of my universe but a needy recipient of God’s provision. I enjoy God’s generosity because He has graciously, lavishly set His affection on me, and so I must be His arms and hands to those around me.

In what places of life do we think wrongly, inverting truth for convenience, perverting justice for greed? Where have we allowed ego-stoked preferences to dictate unkind treatment or dismissal of others, or selfish ends to justify thoughtless or destructive means? What false or puffed up perception is holding us captive in a calloused heart? (Deuteronomy 16:19-20; Romans 12:3; Philippians 2:3-4)

How would we see the disadvantaged around us differently if we remembered our depravity before God, daily reciting Romans 3:23? What compassion, patience, generosity, and grace might we exhibit?

My Deliverer, let me never forget I was a slave and You set me free to express gratitude and love for You by loving others.

“There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”

“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,  and… he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.  But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?  While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God…’ 

“Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles… None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem…

“But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him.., and filled with jealousy  they arrested the apostles and put them in prison.  But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out…

“Someone came and told [the religious leaders], ‘Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.’ Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people…

“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, ‘We strictly charged you not to teach in this name…‘ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.'” Acts 4:34-35; 5:1-4,12-13,17-19,25-26,29

The testing of faith produces steadfastness, progressively toward or away from Christ. As the fire of belief spreads, heat to commit wholeheartedly increases, and man is either consumed or resistant. Day to day produces constant push and pull, I could be all in, but I’m not sure. The draw upward of the Spirit wrestles with the downward pull of the devil, keeping a constant but for every decision and action. We must determine where we land and how we proceed. (James 1:2-4)

This world is a constant barrage of buts battling for our allegiance. Like the people in Jerusalem, we may have great esteem, but be afraid to get involved. For every action there is an opposing option, and we determine whether the conjunction leads us toward the Lord or away from Him, to be single-minded for Christ, or cowards. For every alternative in work or play, in relationships or private life, we must choose one direction or another. The more often we act in true commitment, the bolder we become.

What buts am I entertaining that keep me from full obedience? To what voices do I listen, whose opinions do I weigh? What excuses am I making for holding back, waffling in middle ground? What fears cool spiritual fire to lukewarm? Who would the crowds say I must and do obey? (Matthew 10:28; Revelation 3:16)

Lord, help me surrender every but to You and commit wholeheartedly to glorifying You in thought, word, and deed.

“When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.  And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, ‘Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them,  who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,

“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
    and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers were gathered together,
    against the Lord and against his Anointed’—

“‘for in this city there were gathered together against Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.  And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’  And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:23-31

Immediately after dismissal from the contentious religious rulers, Peter and John gathered with their friends. This was no motley group of entertainment buddies or conglomerate whiners, but individuals unified in Spirit and hope who knew God and sought Him together. They were compelled to lift their voices to their Sovereign in a communal praise and prayer- orderly, unified, focused. Electrified by the Spirit and undeterred (inspired?) by opposition, they recalled and claimed God’s Word and sought His boldness to proclaim it. The answer from heaven was a resounding, shaking Yes and Amen. (Acts 4:33; 2 Corinthians 1:20)

What priority does prayer hold for us? Days of activity and productivity may quake and roll with adrenaline and check-lists, but unless they’re first gathered to the Lord with prayer they might miss His moving. There are times for secret individual prayer, and times to praise and intercede corporately. Both shake when exalting God’s name and sovereignty and are founded on His truth. (Matthew 6:5-13; 18:19-20; Acts 1:14; James 5:13-16)

What specific time do we allot for seeking the Lord to adore and beseech Him? How urgent are we about gathering with fellow believers for prayer when culture and circumstances threaten? Are we so aware and intent on how God is working in every situation that we’re eager to tell others, encourage them, and exalt God’s name together? Do we flag as spiritual loners, or avail ourselves of good God-fearing friends who are iron to us? (Psalm 34:3; Proverbs 27:17; Hebrews 10:24-25)

And what about the shaking? What attitudes need shaking off? What complacency needs shaking up? What stale provincialism needs shaking out? What love needs shaking awake?

How has God specifically answered specific prayers? What new insights, patience, forgiveness, power has He given as a result of our seeking Him? What fresh perspective, unity, understanding, and peace have come as a result of communal prayer? How is He shaking our resolve, commitment, passion, or joy through seasons of intentional, expectant prayer? How might He today?

Lord, draw me to constant communion with Thee, that my heart and life shake with Your love, power, and praise.

“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.