As the rain and snow

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.” 2 Peter 1:3-12

Peter knew well the excitement and failures of faith. From his early days of following Jesus he’d tasted its power, but also fallen hard by untrained impulses. Over decades of maturing since Jesus ascended, he’d tested and proved the ‘all things’ given by the Lord Jesus and borne much spiritual fruit in himself and in ministry. (Matthew 16:15-23; 17:1-6; 26:31-35,69-75; Acts 4:8-13,18-20)

So much is ours when we come to Christ. Immediately the Holy Spirit and His wealth of wisdom and power are deposited, awaiting our understanding and employment. A heavenly calling and election, access to the divine nature, all things pertaining to life and godliness, knowledge of the Almighty, precious and very great promises. Can we fathom it? If we focused on these aspects of God’s indescribable gift in Christ rather than our inadequacies, fears, or doubts, we would freely, zealously endeavor to put them to effective use. We own eternal treasure, yet often life as drifting, anemic paupers. (2 Corinthians 9:15; Ephesians 1:3-14)

One hindrance to tapping into our riches in Christ is ignorance of what has been deposited. Once saved, we fail to explore God’s word to comprehend all that is ours immediately and forever in Christ. We slog along with no victory, no divine intimacy, when He’s promised both. When will we probe the scriptures, and in faith take hold and use these gifts until they become familiar? (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Another reason we fail to invest what our Lord has given is preoccupation with self: I can’t; I’m inadequate; What would I have to give up?; I can’t make a difference; I was just born this way; I don’t have time or desire. Self-doubt and attending excuses stem from being self-absorbed. When will we turn from me to the Lord’s ability and sufficiency, and put to work the divine deposit He made in me for His purposes? (Matthew 25:14-29; Luke 12:47-48)

Lord, captivate me with Your generosity, and help me put to effective use all You’ve graciously bestowed, to Your ends and glory.

“False prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep…

“The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.

“Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones… But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed.., suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed… Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray…

“These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm… Speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” 2 Peter 2:1-3,9-10,12-15a,17-19

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.” 1 John 2:15-16; 3:9

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21

So many words of scripture are intended for the weary soul. Man strives and struggles and slogs and suffers, and often does not recognize the source of his slavery to misery. Tainted flesh untethered by the Spirit always gravitates to sin. Once so inclined, gravitation becomes captivation that cannot be shaken alone. Jesus came to overcome sin and death so we can overcome what stands against God.

Deceptive and numerous are the heresies and empty promises of worldly pleasure vendors. They entice and exploit with incessant allures, and we can feel overcome, weakened to the point of exasperation, exhaustion, and failure. God’s warnings expose their vapid enticements and bid us not to be overcome, but in Christ to overcome. (Philippians 4:13; Titus 2:11-12)

What desires or habits enslave us? Of what have we made idols by addiction, affection, or refusal to life without? If we honestly assess our dependencies, do we recognize the shackles of self-will, cell phones, material comforts, avoidance of conflict? Will we confess and give up what controls us, and claim Christ’s power to break the chains? Overcoming in His name and resurrection power is possible, and freeing. (Luke 22:42-44)

Father, help me recognize and refuse the devil’s wiles, and overcome with good that honors You.

“David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. [He] said: ‘Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

“’But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.  For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding… I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. O Lord, God of… our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, testimonies, and statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.'” 1 Chronicles 29:10-15,17-19

David, near the end of his life and long reign, was enthralled with the goodness and greatness of his God. Having prepared for the construction of God’s temple, he spontaneously blessed the Lord, which blessed his people. God was high and holy, the giver of all gifts, the One worthy to be praised and served. David acknowledged that he was merely a man and steward of those gifts. Wholly taken with exalting his magnificent Lord, his outflow was prayer that God keep a sense of amazement and accountability forever burning in His children. (Luke 16:11-13)

When we have an expanded perspective of Who God is, the possibilities of what He can do for His people are magnified. Humbling ourselves before Him positions us looking up to the vast array of His holy desire and eternal plans. When this reverent understanding filters our minds while praying, we will tap into divine graces and activities we had not known before.

How committed are we to spending time in worship, then praying for our loved ones, God’s people, the world, ourselves? When we approach God, do we arrogantly enumerate our desires, shaped and limited by worldly thinking, or recited rotely? Or do we adjust perspective, contemplate God’s infinite mercies, majestic victories, abounding generosity, and powerful, wise ways, and shape our prayers accordingly? How can a high view of God renew hope, broaden our requests, and heighten expectations? How can we more effectively pray in ways that exalt the Lord God, seize His will, and inspire and bless his children? Filling our minds with God will fuel our prayers for His purposes and glory.

Lord, transfix my mind with Your majesty and greatness so my prayers reflect and seek Your glorious possibilities.

“As for the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.  Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh.  Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth, for God blessed him.  Also to his son Shemaiah were sons born who were rulers in their fathers’ houses, for they were men of great ability.  The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad, whose brothers were able men, Elihu and Semachiah.  All these were of the sons of Obed-edom with their sons and brothers, able men qualified for the service; sixty-two of Obed-edom.  Meshelemiah had sons and brothers, able men, eighteen.  And Hosah, of the sons of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him chief),  Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.

“These divisions of the gatekeepers, corresponding to their chief men, had duties,.. ministering in the house of the Lord…  Watch corresponded to watch.” 1 Chronicles 26:1-12,16b

“A day in your courts is better
    than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalm 84:10

David made meticulous preparations for his son Solomon who would be the one to build the temple. He organized and appointed men for every service in God’s house, taking care to cover appropriately every required duty. Those who kept the gates were to guard both inflow and outflow with an eye for the purity of place and worship. They were able and qualified and took the assignment seriously. What some might deem unimportant or unglamorous played a vital role in the ministry of the temple.

In the Lord’s eyes, every task or role we take on in His name has great value. Responding to needs, coming alongside those who lead, tending carefully and humbly to the small and mundane, or employing our particular abilities for a specific assignment all contribute to God’s kingdom work. He appoints the gifts and is honored when we use them, guarding and furthering His plans and will. (Romans 12:3-8,16; 1 Peter 4:10-11)

As for gatekeepers, we have responsibility both personally and corporately. The Lord calls us to keep our hearts as the wellspring of life, guarding them from insidious, creeping sin. We are to stand guard over our mouths, so we speak what is true and lovely and builds up others. We also, as God’s children, are to keep the gates of purity and truth and goodness in the church. We do what we can to protect marriages, families, teaching, and serve as sentries against gossip, unsavory entertainment, destructive heresies. (Psalm 141:3; Proverbs 4:23; Ephesians 6:12-18)

How well do we take to such an assignment- one that in the world’s eyes is insignificant? How seriously do we take gatekeeping ourselves and the Bride of Christ? What foreign affections or false teaching need we keep out? What treasures of purity and confidences need we keep in?

Lord, help me value with vigilance the gatekeeping You appoint, for Your honor.

“He strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one,  saying, ‘The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’

“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.  For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?  For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and the holy angels.'” Luke 9:21-26

“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own.., but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—  that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” Philippians 3:8-10

Jesus had commissioned His disciples with power over demons and diseases, they reported their activities back in private conversation, and took part in His miracle of feeding the 5000. Although He had prepared them for rejection, and John the baptizer had been beheaded, they were drawn up into His message and power. Peter acknowledged He was the Christ. They had chosen to come after Him in significant ways. Jesus’s new revelation drew them even deeper, setting their eyes on eternal gain and glory. Suffering would be part of their following Him, a teaching not fully comprehended at the time, understood better on the other side of the cross where victory was known. Jesus continually called them to live by faith. (Luke 9:1-20)

It can be exciting to get caught up in kingdom work and the thrilling feel-good of meaningful service, and not consider the suffering attached to following Christ. He does direct and in many ways bless our ministry for Him, but is clear about the challenges of faith that will arise if we are all in with Him. This side of the cross, we have the benefit of knowing the end of the story, yet still, coming after Him has its tests and heartaches. Yes, there are great promises of ultimate victory, a vanquished enemy, and eternal blessing. But in these days on earth, we will suffer, be rejected, and lose out, all for the privilege of identifying with Christ.

Do we prefer to select words from God we like and reject others, or are we taking in His whole counsel? How is our understanding of present realities and suffering enhanced through a broader grasp of God’s eternal plan? How willing are we to deny ourselves for His holy sake? How will we prepare to take up His cross at home, work, in our neighborhood, along with His life-giving words? No matter our reception, blessed is the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.

Lord, make me willing to suffer, in Your resurrection power, for Your sake and glory.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.  And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” 1 John 3:1-3

“To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth… For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:12-14,16

What kind of love has the Father given? Sacrificial love, in the sending of His only Son to earth to dwell among men and pour out His grace. Lavish love, that covered and forgave sins and saves His people unto eternal life. Adopting love, that takes what is not His and names it His own by right and pledge ofownership. Hopeful love, that redeems, and promises and ensures eternal security. Keeping love, that daily renews and sustains. Empowering love that inspires His people to holiness, purity, generosity, and mercy. All this kind can be seen in Christ Jesus, and is poured out in the hearts of those who come to Him by faith. (Romans 5:1-8)

What kind of love do I regularly exhibit? Selfish love, according to my convenience and parameters? Prejudicial love, according to my favorites? Stingy love, holding back plenty for my self care, my wants, my protection? Or sacrificial, unconditional, generous love that knows no bounds, as the Lord Jesus has shown me in limitless measure?

How willing am I to lay down my life- my preferences, time, resources- for others? What am I giving to meet practical, emotional, spiritual needs? It might be easy to click through a donation online, but what am I investing of energy, effort, prayer, personal involvement?

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

In light of God’s love for me expressed in Christ, and the fact that this love now resides in me also, shall I not love others in the same manner and measure? We might feel cold, unable, or depleted, but contemplating the relentless, passionate love of our Lord for us can stir the heart in supernatural ways. Loving as He loved us is possible in His name and power, and shows the world we are His. How and where will I spread God’s love today? (John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:19)

“O love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.” ~George Matheson (1882)

Father, help me love You and others with Your kind of love, so You are magnified.

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness  for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.’ And Jesus answered him,.. ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’ And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time,  and said, ‘To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ And Jesus answered him,..

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God,
    and him only shall you serve.’

“And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for…

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    to guard you,’

“and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

And Jesus answered him,.. ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’¹³ And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee… And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all…

“He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

“’The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
    and recovering of sight to the blind,
    to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.'” Luke 4:1-15,17-19

Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, was led into the wilderness where he was peppered with temptation by the devil who sought to undo Him. But by the Spirit He resisted to the end, claiming the Word of God His defense. When the enemy left, He began His public ministry, teaching and healing in the Spirit’s power. (Hebrews 4:15)

When we are in Christ, we are indwelt securely by the Holy Spirit who is at once our sword and shield against the enemy. And He who gives power to resist also infuses the power, wisdom, and grace to serve. By Him we say no and yes, acting on each decision with resolve, zeal, and strength. (1 Corinthians 10:13; Ephesians 1:13-14; 6:16-17; Hebrews 4:16)

How has the Spirit of God warned us of spiritual dangers? What temptations regularly poke and pester, and how can we stand firm by His strength? Are we well-armed with promises, with fellow believers who support us with prayer and encouragement? In what situations are we especially needy, and what will we do about it?

Where has the Spirit given powerful ministry? Do we resist serving out of fear, weakness, inadequacy? How can we begin to employ His power to obey each call and seize every opportunity to make Him known? How will we tap into His flow in our homes, work places, for specific ministry?

Lord, make potent my every don’t and do, that I speak and serve to please and honor You.

“The Lord God of hosts,
he who touches the earth and it melts,
    and all who dwell in it mourn,
and all of it rises like the Nile,
    and sinks again, like the Nile of Egypt;
who builds his upper chambers in the heavens
    and founds his vault upon the earth;
who calls for the waters of the sea
    and pours them out upon the surface of the earth—
the Lord is his name.” Amos 9:5-6

“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:

“’Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!^‘

“And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’

“Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.’” Isaiah 6:1-7

The hand of the invisible God moves in such mighty and majestic ways that the effects of His touch make Him known. The prophets whose spirits had been moved by His hand uttered revelations, warnings, and promises that further expressed His plans for His people. As examples of those inspired by Him, their words are potent in portraying and pronouncing so we cannot help but be affected.

The power of a touch from God is limitless in its outcomes. Creating, melting, feeding, cleansing, healing, God’s touch is life-making, life-sustaining, and life-changing. His fingers translate what His mind imagines into being. His hands formed the ocean and holds it at its borders, set stars in place and upholds them in sustaining power, and tends to those He loves. (Genesis 2:7; 32:24-30; Job 38:8-11; Psalm 104:27-28; Proverbs 8:27-29; Mark 5:41-42; 8:22-25)

Where do I need a touch from the Lord? For whom has my heart grown hard, calloused to change? How might God’s melting warm the prospect of forgiveness, promote healing, renew love? What errant thoughts, sharp words, uncontrolled impulses and reactions, need the touch of purification? What mindset, anxiety, or habit needs the touch that heals, that removes disease and destruction and soothes afresh? What upheavals need settling, what cares and sorrows pine for soothing from God’s gracious, loving hand? (Amos 9:15; Revelation 21:4)

To receive the Lord’s touch we must come, and that in faith. He is able and ready, hands outstretched to receive and dispense. What self-determination or pride keeps us from approaching this gracious, bountiful Lord? For what specifically will we seek Him today? (Luke 8:43-48; Hebrews 4:16)

Father, sanctify and sustain me by Your mighty touch, so my life touches others in Your name.

“But God was displeased, and he struck Israel. David said to God, ‘I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. Now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly…’ Then David said to Gad [the seer], ‘I am in great distress. Let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is very great…’

“So the Lord sent a pestilence on Israel, and 70,000 men of Israel fell…[then] the Lord relented from the calamity. He said to the angel.., ‘It is enough; now stay your hand…’ David saw the angel of the Lord standing between earth and heaven, and his drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders… fell upon their faces… 

“David said to Ornan, ‘Give me the site of the threshing floor that I may build on it an altar to the Lord—at its full price—that the plague may be averted.’ Ornan said, ‘Take it, and let my lord the king do what seems good to him. I give the oxen… the threshing sledges… and the wheat..; I give it all.’ But King David said, ‘No, I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.’ So David paid Ornan… and built there an altar to the Lord and presented offerings… and called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him with fire from heaven… Then the Lord commanded the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath.

“When David saw that the Lord had answered him at the threshing floor, he sacrificed there…

“Then David said, ‘Here shall be the house of the Lord God and here the altar of burnt offering.'” 1 Chronicles 21:7-8,13-16,22-24,26-28; 22:1

After inching into pride by ordering a census of his Israelite subjects, David is stricken with conviction and begs to take the punishment so they can be spared suffering. When instructed to build an altar, David encounters Ornan who honors the king by offering freely the threshing floor and necessities for sacrifice. David insists on paying, knowing that averting punishment, true sacrifice, is costly, and he is all in.

Every expression of honor is marked by genuine humility that acknowledges another’s worth. It is costly because it requires our descending the throne of our lives and unclutching personal resources, even life, for the sake of the other. It might also be costly in reputation, material losses, pain. Do we delight to show honor to the Lord and His people because they’re worthy, or do we shrink from it out of fear, selfishness, or prejudice?

The greatest expression of honor, measured in infinite love, is Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for His people. Considering Him and the gift of salvation His gift affords, how will we honor Him in return? What biblical examples can we emulate to humble ourselves and sacrifice for Christ and His people? What costly love, forgiveness, blessing, or grace will we offer?

“When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.” ~Isaac Watts (1707)

Lord, make me willing to give my all for You and Your sake.

“It shall come to pass in the latter days
    that the mountain of the house of the Lord
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
    and it shall be lifted up above the hills;
and peoples shall flow to it,
    and many nations shall come, and say:
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
    to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
    and that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
    the word of the Lord…
He shall judge between many peoples,
    and shall decide disputes for nations far away;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
    their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation..;
but they shall sit every man under his vine and fig tree,
    and no one shall make them afraid,
    for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.
For all the peoples walk
    each in the name of its god,
but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God
    forever and ever.” Micah 4:1-5

The prophet’s call is to gather together- personal energies and senses, and people of God in fellowship, and go to the mountain of theLord who is high and lifted up. Go up, out of the whirl of busyness, away from the noise and pull of madding crowds. Once up, learn the Lord’s ways through worship and mutual edification, then come down and spread the light of that word in every circle of influence. (Isaiah 6:1)

Life with the Lord is never static, but a constant up and down, light and shadow, filling and emptying, bowing and rising, listening and telling, stillness and movement. He beckons us come, then go out to relay the word and live its promises. Be stewards, invest, grow and help grow, and share His bounty. Take time alone with Him, and be involved loving, working justice, spreading peace. Actively walk in His name and for His sake, urging others to climb the mount of faith also. (Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 28:19; Mark 5:18-19; Luke 14:23; John 4:28-30)

When do we exert the effort to set aside noise and pressing demands and go up to the Lord? How are we learning and practicing His ways of wisdom? Where are we intentionally applying His word? How does His teaching correspond to everyday disputes, relationships, work challenges, matters of the heart?

What lesser gods are vying for our attention, our affections? What worldly demands seem to pull with greater sway than God’s invitation, and how will we resist? In what situations have we prioritized the Lord of lords by shaking off temptation to succumb to other allures and climb the mount? How has the nourishment and inspiration gained furthered our desire to do it again, and again?

“I’d love to live on a mountain top
Fellowshipping with the Lord
I’d love to stand on a mountain top
‘Cause I love to feel my spirit
Soar….

But I’ve got to come down
From the mountain top
To the people in the valley below, or
They’ll never know
That they can go
To the mountain of the Lord.” ~Amy Grant (1977)

Lord, set my movements with Yours, balancing time with You and taking You to the dark world, to Your ends and glory.