As the rain and snow

“Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. He went out again among the people, from Beersheba to… Ephraim, and brought them back to the God of their fathers. He appointed judges in the land and all the fortified cities of Judah, and said to the judges, ‘Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment. Let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes… Deal courageously, and may the Lord be with the upright!’”

“After this the Moabites and Ammonites and some of the Meunites came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, ‘A great multitude is coming against you from Edom...’ Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.  Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came…

“Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord,.. and said, ‘O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you… O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.’” 2 Chronicles 19:4-7,11b; 20:1-6,12

Consider all he’d done right! Jehoshaphat, following in the footsteps of his father Asa, had sought the Lord from the inception of his reign. God had blessed him with and because of his obedience and courageous heart. He led Judah with order and uprightness, holding prominent God’s word as their underpinning and standard. He was not perfect, but repented of his errors in judgment and reformed his ways and leadership. And after all this, formidable enemies threatened. Was this his reward? (2 Chronicles 14:2; 17:3-9)

The Lord never lets up in sanctifying His children. We may think we’ve arrived, done it all right, but we will not be like Him until we see Him face to face. In this life where we see in a mirror dimly, He relentlessly pursues us to make us holy, and keeps at it in the most effective ways- often through the jolt of battle. (1 Corinthians 13:12; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 John 3:3)

Where have we grown soft and lazy and prone to spiritual naps on the outskirts of success? Do we mock the grace of God by a self-righteous sense of desert, and complain about undeserved difficulty? Does our boasted list of self-efforts overshadow the power of God’s faithfulness and promises? Have our ears grown dull to the truth that every success is not by my might nor power but His Spirit? Are we wasting the tests of His appointed, proving trials? (Zechariah 4:6; James 1:2-4)

We must repeatedly remind ourselves of God’s grace, His mighty acts on our behalf and merciful help in time of need. We fortify ourselves for battle by recounting His promises and past faithfulness, and trusting His ways. Would we stay vigilant, no matter what comes? (2 Chronicles 20:7-11; Hebrews 4:12)

Holy Lord, keep me bowed before You in worship, gratitude for Your salvation, and complete dependence for Your full deliverances. (2 Chronicles 20:15-22,25-26)

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your  behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,  so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;  being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:3-14

Hearing begets faith. Taking in the gospel of Christ within the inspiration and regeneration of the Spirit produces understanding, which opens our minds to spiritual wisdom and the knowledge of God’s will. It plants seeds of truth and sows increasing responses of trust, surrender, application, maturation, and multiplication. Have we listened well enough to the gospel of Christ to be changed? (Luke 8:5-8; Romans 10:17)

Hearing begets love, expressed in service, care, affection, and prayer for those with whom we are connected. The more we learn, the more we care, and want to communicate in return. How eager are we to listen to stories of changed lives, and how generously do we love them and their Savior in response? How patiently and generously do we follow through?

Hearing begets praise to God. When His work and marvelous ways have been conveyed, the natural response is to proclaim His excellencies and magnify His name. When we hear of His abounding mercies, how quick are we to extol Him for transformation, fruit produced, and mission strengthened?

Hearing begets joy, which begets gratitude, when we learn of the growing faith of others. We hear because there has been an effect, a blossoming, a display of the beautiful work of God in a people and place. Do our hearts truly rejoice with those who rejoice? (Romans 12:15)

Hearing begets prayer for more good and growth. We are encouraged by deliverances given and steps taken, and are spurred on to seek God for more. How readily do I take what I hear to the throne of grace? (Hebrews 4:16; 10:19-23)

Lord, keep my ears open and attuned to all You say and keen to everything You would have me hear, and quick to respond accordingly.

“Have you not heard
    that I determined it long ago?
I planned from days of old
    what now I bring to pass,
that you should turn fortified cities
    into heaps of ruins,
while their inhabitants, shorn of strength,
    are dismayed and confounded,
and have become like plants of the field
    and like tender grass,
like grass on the housetops,
    blighted before it is grown.

“I know your sitting down
    and your going out and coming in,
    and your raging against me.
Because you have raged against me
    and your complacency has come into my ears,
I will put my hook in your nose
    and my bit in your mouth,
and I will turn you back on the way
    by which you came.

“And this shall be the sign for you: this year eat what grows of itself, and in the second year what springs of the same. Then in the third year sow and reap and plant vineyards, and eat their fruit. And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward.  For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the Lord will do this.” 2 Kings 19:25-31

Israel’s planting roots of rebellion reaped the judgment of God. From the beginning, in grace, when He gave every good thing, man turned his own way. But from the beginning, also in grace, He planned to redeem. He is upright in His pronouncements and plans, warning His own and keeping His word. And while His holiness requires judgment against our rage, His mercy offers deliverance. (Genesis 1:31;3:1-7; Romans 5:8)

Are we so accustomed to living in this middle land that we neglect sending roots downward into the fertile soil of Christ? We cannot bear any fruit that lasts without abiding in Jesus. Do we make light of His mercies and righteousness, eschewing His call to obedience and flippantly continuing in sin, pretending that grace will continue to flow? May it never be! Do we settle for worshiping what He has made instead of Him? For this He will not stand! (John 15:5; Romans 1:18-24; 6:1-2)

What will we do by way of focused time and genuine confession to turn up the soil of our hearts? How deeply do we allow God’s word to reach into our shame, our flesh tendencies, our personality or behavioral weaknesses that are out of His Spirit‘s control? What is its effect? When He enters and does what only He can, we are set free to go deep and energized to break forth in bloom for Him, to bear great fruit of righteousness. (Matthew 13:3-9; Galatians 5:22–23)

As inhabitants of cities of this earth that are fortified with worldly thinking and pride-filled doing, we have daily choices. Will we get drawn into their angry rebellion against all that is lofty, or swallowed by their malaise of spiritual complacency? Or will we send roots deep in Christ’s attributes and grow upward to reflect His beauties and grace? Oh, to survive the world’s onslaught and bloom for Him!

Lord, may Your zeal have its way with all of me, that I produce rich fruit to Your glory.

“I will extol you, my God and King,
    and bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you
    and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
    and his greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall commend your works to another,
    and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
    and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
    and I will declare your greatness.
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
    and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and merciful,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
    and his mercy is over all that he has made.

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
    and all your saints shall bless you!
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
    and tell of your power,
to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

[The Lord is faithful in all his words
and kind in all his works.]
The Lord upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand;
you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and kind in all his works.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he also hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord preserves all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.” Psalm 145:1-21

“Bring your sacrifices every morning… offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving.” Amos 4:4-5

The rhythm of David’s days was praise. To extol his God and King was like breathing: behold, praise; meditate, commend; observe, sing out; look, declare. His life was filled with blessing from God, and his days were filled with blessing his God- the One so supreme, powerful, splendid, and intricately involved in everything good. Indeed, His character and works were eminently worthy of ongoing praise.

To praise God every day through warp and woof and hours of existence is to praise Him forever. Who He is today He is always. How He deals with men is how He deals forever. God is faithful and does not change. His mercies never cease yet are new every morning. Daily He bears burdens and brings His plans to pass. His word is ever true and accomplishes its intent. (Psalm 68:19; Isaiah 14:24; 55:10-11; Lamentations 3:22-23; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8)

How will I establish new rhythms of praise? Could outlook be infused with expectant joy, gossip become a litany of commendation, complaint turn to gratitude, sloth to zealous stewardship?

Lord on high, captivate me with You and Your wondrous works, that my days be full of praise and You are honored forever.

“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!’ And God granted what he asked.” 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly… Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God… As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”Genesis 17:1-2,4-8,15-16

“In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ it shall be said to them, ‘Children of the living God.'” Hosea 1:10b

Names in the Bible were given as identities. When changed, they reflected a new scape or broadened scope of life, and signified something left behind. God intended instruction and inspiration through His conference of names.

God has a knack for reorienting and renaming His children. His thoughts and ways are far above ours, and are generous, good, and redemptive. His Spirit intrudes our world as a permanent internal and external life-changer. Being named His own and bearing Christ’s name makes all the difference. (Isaiah 55:8-9; Romans 8:15-17; 1 Peter 2:10; 1 John 3:1)

How might the Lord want to rename me? Self-focused to Christ-centered? Lazy to zealous? Impatient to patient? Ornery to gracious? Undisciplined to measured? Frenzied to peace-filled? Scattered to focused? Driven or impulsive to Spirit-led and self-controlled? Complainer to hope-filled? Dreading to expectant?

If I were to be renamed, what does the Lord want left behind? What deeply-entrenched attitudes prohibit spiritual or relational growth? What habits entangle forward or upward progress? What ‘I can’t help it’s or ‘it’s always been this way’ are holding me back from envisioning how things could be better, more constructive, more fruitful? What narrow parameters have I set by sloth, fear, or caution that the Lord would remove to expand my perspective for life and ministry?

“Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart,
come quickly from above;
write thy new name upon my heart,
thy new best name of Love.” ~Charles Wesley (1742)

Father, name me and make me into Your person, who bears Your identity with wholeheartedness and for your glory.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh… 

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-11,16-18

Certainly Paul had scars. He’d been stoned and lashed, imprisoned and shipwrecked. His body bore scars from angry affliction at the hands of enemies of Christ. The Lord had ordained he’d suffer for His name, and that persecution left scars. (Acts 9:10-18; 27:27-44; 2 Corinthians 11:23-27; Philippians 3:8-10)

But Paul counted them a privilege. They were not raw and painful but healed, smooth reminders of his Savior etched in skin and soul. And he loved his Savior. Jesus had rescued him from a wasted life and appointed him to meaningful apostleship, and his greatest honor was to bear the glory of His identity in serving Him.

Sometimes we suffer deep hurt, when we’re caught off guard and a past experience we’d not thought about in eons resurfaces to reopen a wound. Other times we are stung by ridicule or alienation for our faith, or doing the right thing. Is it always the enemy at hand, tempting us to lengthen our pity-list? Or is the Lord simply reminding us to ‘think on what is true. You may always have scars, but I bore that pain and healed that wound at the cross. These marks on My hands and feet are mercy and love reminders that I finished the work of suffering for you.’? (Philippians 4:8)

Every scar signifies something cut, removed, excised, or peeled away. Blood shed. If we are serious about wanting to know Christ, we embrace the meaningful message they bear. Would my scars draw me closer to Him?

“Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned.
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And piercèd are the feet that follow Me.
But thine are whole; can he have followed far
Who hast no wound or scar?” ~Amy Carmichael (1867-1951)

Father, may I bear Your scars with gratitude and grace, and in every mark make You known and exalted.

“I remember the days of old;
    I meditate on all that you have done;
    I ponder the work of your hands.
I stretch out my hands to you;
    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. 

Answer me quickly, O Lord!
    My spirit fails!
Hide not your face from me,
    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
    for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
    for to you I lift up my soul…

Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me
    on level ground!..

And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,
    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,
    for I am your servant.” Psalm 143:5-8,10,12

“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;..
    my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
    too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
    like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Psalm 131:1-2

The Psalmist knew how to still and quiet his soul, and the lifeline it afforded. Listening to his observations, and memories, he was reminded of God’s great and gracious works. Those brought to mind His steadfast love, that flowed, and upheld, and never failed. Recalling those works of God’s hands opened his own toward Him, to reach, to hear more. HIs quieted soul would listen for the way to go, the level path to follow.

There is nothing like the morning quiet, and listen. Do we even know how to still and quiet our souls? To awaken and set first to listen to the voice, the cadence of truth, the sweet song, of our Savior? To train our minds to think on God’s wondrous works, and to thank Him? To discipline ourselves to read and listen to and occupy ourselves with nothing else except Him? When we take first glance and listen from another, our thoughts begin to stir and fill and react with mental vigor, yet in a spiritual vacuum. But when we seek first His Spirit’s voice, our ears will be attuned to Him in the barrage of noise around us and His leading will be clear. (Matthew 6:31-33)

If we thirst and go to satiate ourselves on anything but the giver of every good and perfect gift, we will come up empty. When we attentively listen to His unfailing love, and allow it to buttress our minds for the day ahead, we will know His sustenance of Spirit in a supernatural way. (James 1:17)

“O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.

O fill me with Thy fulness, Lord,
Until my very heart o’erflow
In kindly tho’t and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.

O use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where;
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.” ~Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)

Worthy Lord, my first and best and open ears are Yours.

“I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
    before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down toward your holy temple
    and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
    for you have exalted above all things
    your name and your word.
On the day I called, you answered me;
    my strength of soul you increased.

All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
    for they have heard the words of your mouth,
and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for great is the glory of the Lord.
For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
    but the haughty he knows from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
    and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Do not forsake the work of your hands.” Psalm 138

“His Son, he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” Hebrews 1:2-4

“Consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.” Hebrews 3:1

A morning sky radiates breath-taking glory from heaven to wood, stone, and flesh here below. All that is high and lovely and beyond splendor and description meets with the low and banal and transient in the person of Jesus. He who is perfect and knew no sin became sin for us that we might taste and touch and be clothed with his righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

All that is high, may I ponder. Ponder with wonder, ponder with praise. How can I comprehend that He is high above the winds and the waves, the nations and governments and wars, the rancor in relationships, idiosyncrasies of personalities, secret thoughts of men? What does it mean that He is above the heavens yet regards the lowly? What does it change in my choices, my sentiments, to know He sees me, and sees after me, to perform His bidding? (Genesis 16:13; Jeremiah 1:12)

All that is high, may I love. Lord, captivate my affections, heart and soul, that there be room for nothing else. There are too many things on earth that vie for our attention and steal our affection. Ideas promoted and oft repeated that sully the truth or lofty thoughts toward others. Objects that shine and hum and entice and in the end complicate and entangle.

All that is high, may I share. May I be quick to console, bless, encourage with strength and love from above. May the language of heaven be mine to exalt what is lofty, elevate discussion, enlighten and bring peace.

Of all that is high, may I sing. May I never waste breath on complaint, argument, or lies. On gossip, criticism, demeaning talk, or to stir up dissension. How can I offer melody to the downcast, and inject harmony into stress?

All that is high, mark my life in every way, to the praise of God most high. Amen.

“Listen to me, O coastlands,
    and give attention, you peoples from afar.
The Lord called me from the womb,
    from the body of my mother he named my name.
He made my mouth like a sharp sword;
    in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow;
    in his quiver he hid me away.
And he said to me, ‘You are my servant,
    Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’” Isaiah 49:1-3

“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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

“It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

God the Creator has fashioned each of His children uniquely and for specific work. From first call, He sets out to work in us what pleases Him and leads to the end of His intent for us. As His beloved offspring, we have the privilege through life here on earth of joining Him in this work and fulfilling His call for His glorious purposes in the days He’s appointed. (Acts 17:26; 1 Corinthians 12:11)

The design is His, His also the power. But there is a necessary surrender, a cooperation, where we offer ourselves and by working and putting into practice we test and approve His will for us in our circle of the world. For some, this is the home, workplace, church, community, or city. For others, a wider swath in a country or broad public venue. The important thing is that we listen and know our place and work where God has called us. (Zechariah 4:10; John 21:21-22)

How zealous are we, in the trappings of busyness, to be all about God’s call? When do we take time to listen, and attention to make necessary changes and heed? Might He have us doing something more, or different, from what we have always done? How thoughtfully do we number our days, and measure and meet our opportunities? How eagerly to we take on new assignments? (Psalm 90:12)

“May the mind of Christ, my Savior, 
Live in me from day to day,
By his love and pow’r controlling 
All I do and say.

May the word of God dwell richly 
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph 
Only through his pow’r.

May the peace of God, my Father, 
Rule my life in ev’rything,
That I may be calm to comfort 
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me 
As the waters fill the sea.
Him exalting, self abasing:
This is victory.

May I run the race before me, 
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus 
As I onward go.” ~Kate B. Wilkinson (1925)

Lord, keep me marveling at Your works, and exhibiting Your character as I go about mine. May all I do be from You and unto You, and for Your honor and ends. (Psalm 111:1-10; Romans 11:36; Colossians 1:16; 3:23)

“In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. Isaiah the prophet came and said to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover…”’ Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord… The word of the Lord came..: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will heal you... I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria… for my own sake and for my servant David’s sake.’ And Isaiah said, ‘Bring a cake of figs. And let them take and lay it on the boil, that he may recover…’

“At that time Merodach-baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. Hezekiah welcomed them, and showed them all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.  Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said, ‘What did these men say? And from where did they come?’ And Hezekiah said, ‘They have come from Babylon.’ He said, “What have they seen in your house?’ And Hezekiah answered, ‘They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.’

“Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, ‘Hear the word of the Lord: Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left.’” 2 Kings 20:1-2,4-7,12-17

King Hezekiah had faithfully and effectively led Judah to follow God, establishing his kingdom through prayer and in His name for over a decade. But some glint of self-importance sparked after the Lord graciously healed him from an otherwise fatal illness. Pride at being so favored? Fear of losing everything had he died? Suddenly pesky pigeons of arrogance nested in his esteem of God to overtake everything entrusted to him. When he pompously exposed the treasures of his kingdom to the enemy, the enemy took the lust-bait. And in judgment, the riches he’d treasured would soon be his treasures no more. (2 Kings 18:1-8; 19:14-19; 20:1-5)

Where is my treasure? In my transient kingdom here on earth where moth and rust destroy, or in eternal heaven? What occupies my interest, time, and mental energy proves my treasure, and where it settles, so does my heart allegiance, my delight, and my desire. (Matthew 6:19-21)

What might happen if the treasures we valued and introduced to others were the treasures of Heaven? What if instead of parading achievements or possessions we displayed Jesus? How vibrantly do His peace and joy adorn our demeanor and conversation? How are we demonstrating the beauties of His grace and security of His salvation so to make them attractive? What needs to change so that Christ in us appeals to others as their hope of glory? (Colossians 1:27; 1 Peter 3:1-4)

Father, may I so treasure You that others do too.