As the rain and snow

“God said, ‘Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.’ And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

“And God said, ‘Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.’ And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:6-10

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
    Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
    Or who stretched the line upon it?
 On what were its bases sunk,
    or who laid its cornerstone,
when the morning stars sang together
    and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

“Or who shut in the sea with doors
    when it burst out from the womb,
when I made clouds its garment
    and thick darkness its swaddling band,
and prescribed limits for it
    and set bars and doors,
and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
    and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?” Job 38:4-11

He who holds the immense and rushing waters in their places guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Could there be a more formidable Sentinel? He who determiness and monitors their boundaries does the same with lurking temptation, doubt, and fear. Could there be a stronger Keeper? He who with His breath calms the storm executes ‘Peace be still’ to our quaking souls. Is there a better Champion over any unrest of soul? (Isaiah 26:3; Mark 4:39; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 4:7)

When we encounter circumstances that threaten to overwhelm, our Savior bears us up. When we suffer grief, or anger, or loss, or physical pain that is too heavy to bear and pulls us under, our Lord lifts our head from drowning. How quickly we can go from sure footing to a slippery slide down into instability, confusion, miscommunication and hurt, from carefree joy to shocked despair. Yet our Lord is always nigh. He in grace appoints boundaries for all that would consume us, and stands as our Rescue and Defender. He lives ready to redeem and to save. (Psalm 3:3; 68:19)

“When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow,
for I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
and sanctify to you the deepest distress.” ~George Keith (1787)

What crashing downpour has taken our breath away and arrested any step forward? What deep and swirling waters are causing concern, eating away at the edges of our minds? What encroaching tides of darkness in our culture, our families, our imaginations, are eroding our calm? There is none more powerful than our God, no rushing current a match for His divine hand and certain will. The force of God’s love prevails in and over every enemy rush and swell. Would we put our hand in the hand of the One who stills the waters, and trust? (Romans 8:31-39)

Lord, help me marvel at and rest in Your might that knows no limit, Your design that orders every boundary, and Your love that knows no bounds.

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats’ hair, tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood, oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.'” Exodus 25:1-9

God’s instructions for contribution and the construction of the ark and tabernacle were undergirded by His supply for everything. The only way the slaves-turned-nomads had all this bounty to give is that, after much struggle, they had come out of Egypt. It was the Lord who had engineered the plagues, and the final decision of an angry pharaoh, in order to have the Israelites released with great plunder. This new nation, who had grown from 37 people in Egypt to hundreds of thousands, carried out with them great and varied riches. (Genesis 46:26-27; Exodus 3:19-22; 12:33-37)

Bounty doesn’t show up on its own. We would have no eternal life, no indwelling Spirit or unlimited spiritual riches, if not for Jesus’s struggle and victory at the cross. Love is deeper when pursued and fought for, and wisdom is sweeter when mined from the depths of the Bible. Forgiveness is won only through the excruciating death of our Savior, and extended by oft-painful release of anger or resentment. (John 16:7; Ephesians 1:3-10; 4:32)

In what are we struggling today, and how might the Lord be developing or uncovering His riches in the midst? It may be a disappointment or grief, where He can shower His compassion, comfort, and sufficiency. It might be a weakness in proclivity to complaint and despair, where He will supply hope, contentment, and gratitude. We may be struggling for answers, and He is bidding us come for instruction and power and to understand that His ways are far higher than ours. We might be riled by a strained relationship, where He can enable understanding, the ability to communicate, and love that transcends differences. (Jeremiah 33:3; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 4:1-3,15-16; 1 Peter 4:8)

Would we welcome the struggle for the spiritual and character and wisdom muscles that are exercised and built there? Would we learn to look beyond our difficulties to desire the rewards they win? And when our gracious God brings us through with bounty, are we ready and eager to return it with gratitude to Him, the giver of every good and perfect gift? (James 1:17)

Jesus promises His children peace in every struggle, and the knowledge that He is working all for our good and His glory. And because Jesus lives victorious over sin and the grave, He imparts to us victory for every struggle here below. (John 16:33; Romans 8:28-30; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58; 2 Corinthians 2:14)

Lord Jesus, help me triumph in every difficulty, and so show forth Your infinite wealth and worth. May my life show the other side to a world struggling with pain and disbelief, and flagging in hope.

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment…’ So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God… And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” “Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets in his hand… The tablets were the work of God… When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, ‘There is a noise of war in the camp.'” “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua, a young man, would not depart from the tent.” Exodus 24:12-13,18; 32:15-17; 33:11

” Joshua was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him… There has not arisen a prophet since like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face,.. for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to do in Egypt,.. in the sight of all Israel.” Deuteronomy 34:9-12

“Moses my servant is dead. Now arise, [Joshua,] go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving them…  Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” “[Joshua said], ‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’” Joshua 1:2,5; 24:15

Joshua appears on the Bible scene as a young assistant already in place. There was no fanfare in his choosing, just a tucking under the wing of Moses, the humble servant of God who led Israel out of Egypt and over forty years in wilderness to the edge of the Promised Land. Whatever his background to this time, Joshua’s years as assistant to this mighty leader shaped his heart, his vision, and his will to serve as God’s warrior.

We seldom prefer to be number two, to follow, carry the bags, do the dirty work. But there are life-changing lessons we learn at the feet and by the side of great leaders, from their devotional life and conversations with God, their leadership strategies, their handling of failure and consequences, their time management, their interaction with colleagues and those they lead. It is the utmost privilege to spend time under a master, gleaning while assisting great and capable people who depend on God. We get fresh glimpses of the Lord Himself as He works in and uses His own.

Is there a leader the Lord has given us to assist? What skills and habits have we observed that we can emulate, or implement? In our support role, how open are we to instruction and correction, how willing to do the menial background or hard frontline work?

If caregiving one who has lost or is lacking capabilities, what are we learning about aging gracefully or accepting help? What can we learn about prayer, the anticipation of heaven, spiritual reliance on Jesus when physical strength wanes? Do we take interest and time to ask about life wisdom from experience?

The Lord beautifully entwines generations and orders relationships to equip and sanctify us. Are we taking full advantage of our positions to become more like Jesus, and more Jesus to those we serve?

Father, help me make the most of Your assignments. May I learn much and well, and glorify You in the practice.

“As he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance  and lifted up their voices, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.’ When he saw them he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Luke 17:12-18

Having such a poor show of those who would come thank Him could have knocked Jesus off His keel. Had he been out serving and healing and teaching to get a reaction, add up successes, or stroke His own ego, His disappointment could have swallowed His zeal and shaken Him off course. But Jesus was intent only on doing His Father’s will and finishing His work. (John 4:34)

A missed opportunity, a regretted argument, a cancellation or change of plans out of our control. Another poor review, another team loss, another ill-informed or short-sighted choice by one we love, another broken dream. Disappointments can add up to weigh down our spirits today and close off hope for a bright tomorrow. We make detailed plans, expend endless effort, teach the right way, and confide in our colleagues, and somehow think we have a right to the outcomes we want. But people and circumstances seldom meet our expectations, and claims for perfect results, perfect harmony, and the perfect family lead only to disappointment. There is only One who is perfect and faithful forever, who will never disappoint, and He is Jesus.

Leaving the outcomes of our strivings and hopes to Jesus frees us to move on to the next right thing, the next person or situation or problem that God puts in our path to attend. He orders the whole world and has glorious purposes beyond our imagining, often larger or longer-sighted than we would know to consider. When our eyes are on Jesus, and our endeavors according to His call, we can extend the offer, lovingly hold out the gospel, make ourselves available, but trust the results are His. We plant, we water, we spend, we serve, and it is the Lord who does the work of enlightenment, conviction, regeneration, and transformation. (Isaiah 55:8-9; John 16:8; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7)

Where do we find ourselves most disappointed? What does this reveal about our idols? Where have we distorted our loves so we care more about a person’s action or reaction, perhaps in relation to us, than about the Lord who is working all things for our overarching good and His glory? Have we a trace of pride in our best efforts, smugness in the example we set, or unjust desert from all our hard work, that we have hidden from the Lord’s sanctifying fire? (Romans 8:28)

Where do we need a reorientation of our hopes and expectations, and a smother of Christ’s strong grace to open that door of disappointment and walk through to contentment and trust?

Lord, I cast every disappointment on You, who carried them to the cross. In even the hardest of situations, help me rejoice in Your goodness and power to redeem. To You be all glory.

“I am the bread of life.” John 6:48

“While [the two] were talking and discussing together, Jesus drew near and went with them… He said, ‘What is this conversation… as you walk?’ And they stood still, looking sad. Then Cleopas answered him, ‘Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ And he said, ‘What things?’.. ‘Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word.., and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. It is now the third day since these things happened. Some women… were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had seen… angels, who said that he was alive.’ He said, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And… he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

“So they drew near to the village…. [and] urged him, saying, ‘Stay with us…’ When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him… They rose that same hour and… found the eleven and those who were with them, saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

“As they were talking, Jesus himself stood among them, and said, ‘Peace!.. Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.’” Luke 24:15,17-23,25-28,30-31,33-36,38-39

We can read His words, be taught from Scriptures, even sense His companionship, but there is nothing like knowing Jesus in the breaking of the bread. When Cleopas and companion finally recognized their risen Savior, it was because they understood the breaking… in feeding the thousands, in the last supper at Passover, in the body on the cross. The “prophet mighty in deed and word” was indeed the Lord who’d been pierced for them, and rose again to offer the Bread of life.

As we walk along the way and day, discussing current events and tragedies and conspiracies, as we wonder at people’s motives and lack of faith, do we miss the breaking? Do we fail to remind ourselves of the cross, and what Jesus being broken has won for us, and made significant by adding eternal value to every action and effort? Do we miss the surrounding brokenness, the crack in a stalwart facade, a lonely heart crying for help, a niggling temptation about to catch fire? Do we pause long enough to see the hurt we inflict, or the fracture we have allowed in our attitude toward God?

What will we do to know Jesus better when we encounter the breaking of relationships, and truth foundations, and hope? Will we call to mind His body broken for us, and look forward to His ultimate healing?

Lord broken and risen, in every brokenness I witness, give me eyes to see You and a heart to know You and make You known.

“The Lord called [Moses] out of the mountain, saying,.. ‘Tell the people of Israel: “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

“So Moses called the elders of the people and set before them all these words… All the people answered together, ‘All that the Lord has spoken we will do.’ And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.  And the Lord said, ‘Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may believe you forever…’

“Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up…

“Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and stood far off…  Moses said, ‘Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.’” Exodus 19:3-9,17-20; 20:18,20

Before giving out the law upon which the nation of Israel would be established, and which ultimately pointed to Jesus who would uniquely and perfectly fulfill it, God established His whys. We want to do what we want to do- what is pleasant, worthwhile, doable, even simple or easy. What feels good, looks good, or gets me ahead. Life’s all about me. But when Almighty God enters our world, motivation and reason turn upside down and inside out. He presents a new motive and method for our keeping on and keeping His word, and it all has to do with Him. (Matthew 5:17; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

He has delivered us from captivity to sin and hopelessness, and borne us up with life. This almighty, transcendent, omnipotent Supreme has condescended to meet us personally and make Himself known. He has called His children out from the world as His treasured possession, His holy nation, once not His and now belonging. He is the One we are privileged to obey, the One whose word He helps us keep. (Deuteronomy 7:6; 1 Peter 2:4-5,9-10)

His aim for our obedience has everything to do with Him and His highest and best for us. Man is born insular, self-focused, and measured in desire and capability according to neatly planned preferences. But right fear of the Lord opens wide our hearts, diminishes our pride, reorients our aims, and establishes the honor of Christ as our chief desire. What keeps us from bowing before Him in humble, adoring fear?

Lord Jesus, Whom have I in heaven but you?
    There is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
For me it is good to be near God and keep Your word. Amen. (Psalm 73:25,28)

“If I have made gold my trust
    or called fine gold my confidence,
if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant
    or because my hand had found much,
if I have looked at the sun when it shone,
    or the moon moving in splendor,
and my heart has been secretly enticed,
    and my mouth has kissed my hand,
this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,
    for I would have been false to God above.” Job 31:24-28

“The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things… They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.” Romans 1:18-23,25

Almighty God has designed, and made, such an exquisite heaven and earth that when we let our senses and emotions loose in our wonder, we can get tempted to worship the created rather than the Creator. It’s a natural tendency of the flesh since Eden, and one with which we must daily reckon. We like what we can see and touch, yet knowing and exalting the Source behind enriches our beholding exponentially.

It’s hard not to be enthralled with the lavish variety of color, shape, scent and movement, yet our Lord is the Spring from which flows the waterfall of balance, hue, pattern, and melody. We enjoy nothing His mind has not conceived nor His hand made, and even our ability to enjoy with senses is a gift from above. When we gaze long enough and with willing intention, we recognize the love, glory, and masterful design behind. (Psalm 19:1-3; 24:1; Job 37:10-13; 41:11; 1 Corinthians 2:9)

What disciplines do we daily practice to remind us it is the LORD behind every goodness and gift? What time do we take to worship Him for who He is apart from us- all Him, no me? Are we meditating on and savoring the holy delights of His word, and repeating them back in praise? Do we search out His initiative in every growth, His cause for every effect? With whom do we share His personal handiwork and lessons, His answers to prayer?

With every soak in warm sun, would we praise the One who created light from darkness and upholds the sun and stars? In every flower would we praise His creative symmetry and thoughtful whimsy of color? His glory redounds in and behind all He has made, and we are created to offer that glory to Him. (Genesis 1:3-5; Isaiah 43:7; Hebrews 1:3)

Maker of all that is good and lovely, keep my heart enthralled with You and not what You have made. May my going and coming reflect You as my Source, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Romans 1:16

“I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2

“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has… died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-20

The masked waitress talked about dabbling in varied religions, east and west and upside down. As conversation turned to the gospel, she gradually unmasked her face as well as her heart. There’s nothing like genuine, personal interest to warm a cold soul to the Jesus fueling that expression of interest. Observing the quick turn to eternal things inspires the reluctant ambassador, as does the later comment, “Is there anything more important to talk about in life?”

We travel through our hours and miles and calendars surrounded by and entwined in communication. But how much is significant? Vacuous input hollows the heart, and yields pointless interaction, but rich truth soaked in and savored yields fruitful speech that enlightens and satisfies. (Proverbs 15:14; Luke 6:45)

It is easy to fill our time and conversation with the meaningless and banal, to spend our word count on stars and scores and silly banter, on who said what and whether we agree. It’s the lazy way to let flow our input and output, unrestrained and purposeless. Yet, if we would take care to absorb in generous measure the Word of God, instead of the plethora of worldly information available and coming at us full and fast, we would think and speak differently. We would have a divine filter on what we do take and and speak out on varied topics. If the words we say issue from our hearts, our practical priorities will determine the contents therein. (Proverbs 18:4)

What do we really value most? Are we driven by love for Jesus and the lost? Our talk will tell. Certainly there is trust that needs to be earned, ‘passport’ established before we can enter deeper conversation, but will we aim for that more significant place? To spurt out what’s required, to wag a finger, only intrudes rudely and stokes a rebuff. But to pave the way with kindness, selfless interest, judgeless warmth, is to smooth the path for open conversation and open hearts. If the gospel has marked us indelibly, it will identify our interactions with others in a supernatural way.

Lord, help me keep the main and most important thing just that, in my heart, my walk, my speech, for Your holy sake.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

The textures in the eastern sky this morning harmonized with those of bird chatter and song, cross-hatched color of sight and sound in the pleasantest of cool breezes. And so with the human heart, swelled with rapture at the exquisite beauty of it all, enriched with the fabric of friendship, deepened with concern for loved ones afar. To everything a season and a texture that marks us, that adds an ingredient to who we are.

What would be smooth without the tousled, straight without the ruffled, tight without the luffy? Monotone enhances brilliant hues, as does melody a dirge. Is there anything sweeter than the balm of palpable comfort in grief, or the hushed still after a storm? Through every texture of observation, experience, and emotion, the fabric of our lives is woven a bit stronger, richer. Through every time and season we grow more fully human, and have a broader understanding of our infinite God who transcends them all.

While we might prefer life to be ‘samey,’ tightly packaged and predictable, safe and consistent, it would yield us one-dimensional, and flabby in faith. How would spiritual muscles grow without hard tests, compassion without heartache, or patience without waiting? Would we strive for, or even appreciate, unity without division, forgiveness without trespass, or healing without hurt? Could we hone the ability to create solutions without problems, or to communicate and compromise without misunderstandings?

What wondrous facets we behold of our Lord’s character when we engage in the textures of life! His creativity, sense of humor, lovingkindness, forbearance, and splendor. Rather than fidget at discomfort, or question challenge, or resist God’s variety, would we delight in His personal interest in creation and handiwork in our days?

“This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas–
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world:
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!” ~Maltbie D. Babcock (1858-1901)

Lord, may I ever marvel at the texture You design in life, and in Your world, that glorifies Your measureless love and majesty.

“He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.’ So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, ‘He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.’ And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.’  And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.'” Luke 19:1-10

Following Zaccheus through this narrative is uplifting. It’s a beautiful story of how the Lord Jesus captures the small heart of a small man and enlarges it with faith. It tells of motives reoriented, fists opened, and a life transformed. But following the onlookers, “they” who would only stand on the fringes wagging their tongues in grumbling and their fingers in judgment, the story is shameful and convicting.

Jesus had come to seek and save the lost, but these lost were blind to their condition, and so missed His invitation to salvation. They were separated from the glorious story, because they were consumed with criticizing. They could not see the magnificence of what was happening because their vision was clouded with pride. They stand out as dark splotches on the periphery of God’s amazing, turning stubborn backs to the grace displayed before them because they counted the recipient of Christ’s favor unworthy. They asked ‘how could He’ instead of ‘why does He?’ They missed out the meal of a lifetime because of calloused, prejudiced hearts.

How often do we remain on the outside of what God is doing because of a grumbling attitude or preconception? Have we veiled our eyes and ears with smugness? Do we forgo what He wants to do with us because we’re too occupied criticizing those on whom He sets His affection? Are we better stoked by pride and self-righteousness, or envy, or disdain, than we are by His love and mercy? Are we so shallow we focus on the catty and spew caustic remarks instead of hushing at the miracles our Lord is working? Do we disdain God’s mercy to others ‘so dirty,’ and fail to recognize our own sinful affronts to His holiness?

What will it take to see Jesus for who He is, and others as He sees them, with eyes of mercy? What attitude or habit need I surrender, and how will I put Him on? (Romans 12:3; Colossians 3:5-10,12-17)

Lord, remove any shroud of cattiness and grumbling that veil my heart from You. Help me look for, long for, and behold the beauty of Your mercies to others and to me. Help me not miss the glories of Your marvelous ways. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18)