As the rain and snow

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” John 12:24

“You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies… So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.  It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.” 1 Corinthians 15:36,42-44

Coquinas. Closed tight, digging, disappearing deep into the soft wet sand. But when the tiny clams are finished with their labors, they break open to sprinkle their many-hued shells as a delight for all who see. Their beautiful varied colors, wings spread open, symbolize the lovely variety and bounty of life and freedom that comes only from giving up labors and being broken open. These butterflies capture and sparkle our imaginations with what it means to die to self and be set free.

When we hold tight to ordering our lives just so, and finagling our way to the front, or top, we remain pent-up by stress, bound by self-effort. We might be able to show off our credentials, our importance, our successes, but we are never free.

But when the Lord Jesus in His grace humbles us, when we are split deep by our sin and set free by His Spirit, we have a new vitality that reflects His magnificent, exquisite beauty. Our lives are broken open for Him, freed of self, unfettered to lavish genuine love, spill over with gratitude and praise, and express joy and peace that confounds the world. Why would we not choose this Spirit-life? (Mark 14:3-6; John 8:36; Romans 8:10-11)

What keeps us stubbornly motoring on in our own strength? God’s strength is perfected in our weakness. Why do we clam up with trepidation at the thought of being vulnerable to others, or the Lord? Most fear is self-focused, ignoring God’s promises. Where do we feel the nudge of the Spirit, or hear the gentle beckon of our loving Lord, saying, ‘Come, my beloved, unto me. Die to self, release your burdens, open up, let go. Now live in me, trust me, and flourish.’ It is faith in our incomparable God that compels us to step out, open our wings, and say, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.“ (Psalm 37:4-6; Isaiah 6:1-8; Galatians 2:20)

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy. 

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive, 
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, 
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.” ~Saint Francis of Assisi

And amen.

“The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Fill your horn with oil, and go… to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons…’ And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen these… Are all your sons here?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.’” 1 Samuel 16:1,10-11

“And David said to Saul, ‘Let no man’s heart fail because of [Goliath]. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine… Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’ And Saul said to David, ‘Go, and the Lord be with you!’” 1 Samuel 17:32,34-37

“He chose David his servant
    and took him from the sheepfolds;
from following the nursing ewes he brought him
    to shepherd Jacob his people,
    Israel his inheritance.
 With upright heart he shepherded them
    and guided them with his skillful hand.” Psalm 78:70-72

“Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
    who trains my hands for war,
    and my fingers for battle.” Psalm 144:1

The eighth and youngest son who was ‘just keeping sheep’ was the one God had chosen to be king. Ordained to train to be Israel’s shepherd by keeping his father’s sheep, David kept on in the sheepfolds until the prophet Samuel anointed him for his next role. What he learned of God’s majesty and directed stewardship, under the stars at night; of God’s keeping power and singular love, from tending wandering lambs; of courage against the enemy, from battling ferocious animals- all these were invaluable in coming years as the leader of God’s people. (Psalm 8)

With what are we presently occupied? It may be menial, unglamorous, a necessary duty that brings neither fanfare, notoriety, nor satisfaction, but it can (and should) still be done unto our Lord. Do we allow impatience or frustration to detract from lessons He has for us in the sheepfolds? Are we preoccupied with wanting a different, more ‘important’ assignment? Do we think we know better than God and force ourselves ahead of His timing? (Colossians 3:23)

What is God teaching us in our present circumstance? Steadfastness? Humility? Patient faith? His sovereignty? To listen and observe rather than initiate and conduct? To support rather than lead? How is He using current challenges to hone our coping, diplomacy, mediation, or consensus-building skills? How might God be using certain people to train us to love unselfishly, to pray for those with whom we are at odds? How might a slow season afford us time to learn of Him and train in skills we don’t have the luxury of when life is full throttle?

Good Shepherd, teach me contentment to serve wholeheartedly and faithfulness to learn in the sheepfolds where You have me. Give me zeal and joy to do all You assign, for Your glory.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
    he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
    and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor..;
    to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
    to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
    the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
    the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified…

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
    my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
    he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.” Isaiah 61:1-3,10

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

The predawn sky is one-dimensional, monochromatic dark when it rains. No peeking through to ethereal blue. In the constant thrum of water drops, heaven is unseen, a hope issuing only from faith.

And isn’t this our assurance in every storm? With every wet and chilling blow? With heavy heart? When circumstances press down and limit our view of beyond, our certain hope is still alive and cannot be shaken. What God has promised, He guarantees, and has already accomplished in the heavenlies. He who designs and operates the economy of time has hitherto fixed what will surely come to pass.

Jesus is preparing a place for us, an eternal weight of glory to bestow. Our future is set, our sure reward His presence, the promise of seeing Him face to face. We are inextricably bound to a firm anchor for our souls, and indelibly marked with a seal of His pledge. (John 14:1-3; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; Ephesians 1:13-14; Hebrews 6:19; 1 John 3:2)

So how does this affect our every day in the onslaught of rain? If indeed we are clothed in righteousness, and God Almighty rejoices over us with singing, we can adorn our moments with praise. We can bear great sorrow in our hearts while remembering the song in our souls. We can press on in the sufficiency of the Lord when we have nothing, His strength when we are spent. We can trust His ‘Who’ when we ask ‘why?’, His ‘what’ when we wonder ‘how?’. (Isaiah 61:3,10; Zephaniah 3:17)

Will we believe His benevolence, and proclaim with faith’s conviction, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord”? Whether we are afflicted or comforted, His blessedness is the same, and He is still good. Practicing this mindset of praise will transform our outlook and response to every band of rain, every shroud of cloud, every suffocating storm. (Job 1:21)

God’s splendor is traced as an outline to our afflictions; our hope is all the deeper in darkness. When man and events here on earth don’t make sense, our Lord’s high ways and kindness can be trusted. Whatever the next blow, what breath-taking punch, what toppling gust, He is enough. (Romans 8:28; Hebrews 11:1)

Loving Father, one day You will make all things right. May Your lovingkindness be my melody of hope in the rain. (Revelation 21:5)

“King Solomon was king over all Israel, and these were his high officials: Azariah the son of Zadok was the priest; Elihoreph and Ahijah the sons of Shisha were secretaries; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in command of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest and king’s friend; Ahishar was in charge of the palace... God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and… of Egypt. For he was wiser than all other men… He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005… And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.” 1 Kings 4:1-6,29-32,34

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise.” Proverbs 13:20

“A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

“A man of many companions may come to ruin,
    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” Proverbs 27:6

At the start of his reign, Solomon employed his God-given wisdom by establishing a skilled team around him. If he was to lead and serve his kingdom, he would learn and implement, as he wrote, that ‘one grows wise by walking with the wise.’ Extremely gifted himself, he knew he needed others specifically talented in different areas, and he needed the help, loyalty, encouragement, and consistent camaraderie of a wise friend.

There is nothing quite like friends who will listen, and speak truth in love (and firmness), no matter how hard it is. Those who truly care about your soul, want your best, and will do what it takes to help you become more like Christ. Those with whom you can bare your soul, who will bear your burdens, who guard your treasure. Those who complement your strengths, and implant courage in you to exercise yours. (Galatians 6:1-2; Ephesians 4:15; Hebrews 3:13)

With whom do we surround ourselves? Those who make us look good in the world’s eyes, or those who build up our souls? Those who are quick to affirm our choices and pat us on the back for self-effort, or those who will challenge our decisions, and point us to Jesus? Those who have the latest in-vogue advice, or those who direct us to God’s word, even when it stings as it convicts and corrects? (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

How are we developing spiritual wisdom that we can contribute to our friendships? In being a friend, are we careful to keep confidences, to withhold saying or implying anything that would put another in a bad light? Do we take time and attention to read between the lines, to listen for the unspoken sensitivities and implications behind the words we actually hear? How brave are we to address wrong thinking and doing, after taking care of the plank in our own eye? (Matthew 7:3-5)

Lord, may I be a friend who urges others on in their faith, reflects You in Your purity and light, and walks wisely so I can help others grow wise alongside me.

“Though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

“We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

The surface of the water was hatched and wrinkled, like tossed fabric. Above loomed the sky, but underneath was… calm. The creatures down under went about their morning like any other, unaware of the wind’s erratic temper, unfazed by turbulence because it didn’t affect their movement, their play, their eating.

Above and all around us whips and chops a vicious battle, invisible and therefore ofttimes unrecognized. We hear about spiritual warfare, and may sense its disarming intensity, but misunderstand its ongoing reality. We are entrenched in the physical world, and so ignore what we cannot see. Like fish, we swarm, we hunt, we move and giggle with those just like us in our insulated calm, and we can be blissfully unaware of the very real conflict that rages. The father of lies, who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, is out to divide God’s church, unsettle our souls, and disrupt our peace, all while deceiving us about his motives. (Matthew 10:28; John 10:10)

But the Lord Jesus, who is greater and stronger than this murderer in the world, knows all, never lets us out of His sight, and with His angels is the vigilant and ultimate Victor in battle against the devil and his demons. He provides us with insight and armor; we need not fear. We can trust our Shield and Defender in every aspect of the war. (Psalm 28:7; John 8:44; 1 John 4:4; Romans 8:31-34; Revelation 12:7-9)

Would we step away from our huddled ‘school’ and habitual activities to watch and pray for spiritual sensitivity and discernment? While we may not see the angelic sword fight, are we tuned in to the slashing at our senses of malice, bitterness, and bigotry, the whispers of temptation to gossip, complain, and worry? Can we perceive the forces behind the world’s tumult? Will we look to Jesus’s light to expose what is true, pay attention to what is really going on in the heavenlies, and fit ourselves with God’s armor and wisdom to be able to withstand it? (Mark 14:38; Ephesians 6:10-18)

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?.. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35,37-39

Lord of lords, You reign over all in heaven and earth. Though spiritual war rages- staining culture, breaking relationships, shaking our souls- You are victorious. Keep me steadfast in faith, secure in Your strength, stalwart in battle, and shining Your grace. (Revelation 19:11-16,19-21)

“Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram always loved David. And Solomon sent word to Hiram, ‘You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him… But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune. And so I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord…’ Now therefore command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. And my servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servants such wages as you set, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.’

^“As soon as Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, ‘Blessed be the Lord this day, who has given to David a wise son to be over this great people.’ And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, ‘I am ready to do all you desire in the matter of cedar and cypress timber…’ At the king’s command they quarried out great, costly stones in order to lay the foundation of the house with dressed stones. So Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders and the men of Gebal did the cutting and prepared the timber and the stone to build the house.” 1 Kings 5:1-8,17-18

There is nothing like working together, to build something bigger than ourselves, to unite people. Ruling separate kingdoms, leaders in their own right, Solomon and Hiram continued the warm relationship the king of Tyre had enjoyed with Solomon’s father, David. The new king graciously received Hiram’s congratulatory entourage, and Hiram enthusiastically agreed that their servants would collaborate to build a house for the name of the Lord. (2 Samuel 5:11)

When our greatest interest is defending our turf, or promoting our own swagger and importance, we build barriers, put off others, and destroy opportunities to work with them for a greater good. So much of our thinking and information-gathering focuses on ourselves- what we deserve, how we present. If instead we spent that time and effort searching out the needs of others, and how we might contribute to God’s kingdom in our churches and communities, we might reorder our living for something bigger than ourselves. Setting aside our stubbornness, contributing to what will outlast us, and investing to bring glory to God by making an eternal difference in people’s lives, honors Him and begets great joy.

We were all strangers and without hope before we knew Christ. Jesus came to remove dividing walls and hostility, not only between us and Him, but among His people. His blood bought our peace, so we could grow and build together on a common foundation to construct a beautiful, holy temple, His Body, that exalts His name. What difference would it make to the world’s impression of the church if we set aside negotiable differences and worked together, in love, mutual respect, and common purpose? (John 13:35; Ephesians 2:12-22)

Lord, may I decrease and You increase. Help me do my part of dwelling and building together in unity with others. May I consistently extend the grace and love You have lavished on me to them, for the exaltation of Your name. (Psalm 133:1; John 3:30)

“Two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. The one woman said, ‘Oh, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth to a child while she was in the house. Then on the third day after I gave birth, this woman also gave birth. And we were alone..; only we two were in the house. And this woman’s son died in the night, because she lay on him. And she arose at midnight and took my son from beside me, while your servant slept, and laid him at her breast, and laid her dead son at my breast. When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, he was dead. But when I looked at him closely in the morning, behold, he was not the child that I had borne.’ But the other woman said, ‘No, the living child is mine, and the dead child is yours…’

“Then the king said, ‘The one says, “This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead”; and the other says, “No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.” Bring me a sword… Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.’ Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, ‘Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.’ But the other said, ‘He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.’ Then the king said, ‘Give the living child to the first woman..; she is his mother.’” 1 Kings 3:16-23,25-27

The young king presented a startling visual aid to his God-given wisdom that established him as the Lord’s anointed. In what is a most disturbing occasion, he gives an edict that cuts to the core of motive, revealing the ugliest selfishness and malice against the loveliest unselfishness and love. While we might chafe at the very proposition, exposure to our King and His word does the same for us, ‘piercing to the division of soul and of spirit,.. discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart… [laying us] naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.’ (Hebrews 4:12-13)

Every season, every day, begins with decisions about how we will spend ourselves- time, gifts, resources. While some necessities are imposed on us, and interruptions may jar our plans, we still determine how we order our hours and respond to external forces. In doing so, we reveal whom we live for: our Lord (and others), or ourselves. We can’t serve both as king. (Matthew 6:24)

What do my daily choices reveal about who is first in my heart? Do my actions give evidence that I sincerely love and honor God first, and put others before myself, preferring them and their welfare to my own? Do I give sacrificially, or only my leftovers after taking care of self? Whose comfort and joy is primary, and whose secondary? (Matthew 22:36-39; Mark 12:42-44; Romans 12:9-11; Revelation 2:4-5)

Lord Jesus, You gave Your all for me. From the depths of my heart, may I live wholly for You, loving You first and best, then others for Your sake. Purify my deepest motives to be ever only all for Thee. (John 15:13)

“I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies,.. that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the Lord may establish his word… Moreover, you also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of Israel,.. whom he killed, avenging in time of peace for blood that had been shed in war… Act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. But deal loyally with the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for with such loyalty they met me when I fled from Absalom your brother… You are a wise man. You will know what you ought to do.” 1 Kings 2:2-7,9 “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. ¹⁰ Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it… Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.” 1 Chronicles 28:9-10,20 It is a great gift we give those for whom we are responsible when we teach the ways of God and His word, then free them to put His truths into practice. David had spoken, written, and taught. He had modeled trusting and following his God, and the power of repentance and joy of forgiveness when he did not. When it was time to turn over the kingdom, he did not manipulate or control how his successor Solomon would reign, but entrusted him to the Lord and the wisdom already sown into his heart. And this wise son, so trained, began by asking more wisdom from God. (1 Kings 3:3-9)

How devoted are we to learning and applying biblical wisdom, that we might know, fear, and honor God? (Proverbs 2:1-12) And for those we love, rather than making all the decisions, stepping in to do things more efficiently, or hovering to ensure no mistakes are made, would we focus on training in righteousness? What would happen if we spent our time and energy on instilling scripture, teaching godly principles and character, and letting them make their own decisions? Would we ask questions and be silent while they come up with answers, discover solutions? There may be some painful failures, but not without accompanying lessons learned. Lord, so fill me with Your purposes and thoughts that I am wholehearted toward You in my devotion and doing. Daily teach me wisdom, and guide me to pass it on as I live it out among others. (1 Chronicles 29:18-19; Psalm 90:12)

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed…

“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?..

“You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you.” Galatians 1:6-8; 4:8-9; 5:7-8

When once we know the truth of the gospel and it has set our souls free, it is intriguing how subtly we get persuaded and detracted from it by strange voices. Our world is full of alien tongues that disguise and deceive with destructive affections, luring us away from our first love. We hear words so loud that when they lop off large segments of truth, we’re convinced it is adequate. There is a constant murmur of group-speak that omits true intentions and sways emotions with ease. We slide into thinking that since enough people are comfortable with a ‘new’ gospel according to man, it must be acceptable for us, too. (John 8:32 ; Revelation 2:4-5 ) 

Understanding our Lord and His truth requires daily discernment and wisdom, a searching out of His word in every matter, and filtering out what is not His light from the many shapes and sizes of all the world has to say. It takes a willingness to listen astutely for the Spirit’s voice, and zealous obedience as He clarifies and guides. When we put the Scriptures into practice, we develop a healthy fear of God and ready ourselves for deeper obedience to him. Close acquaintance with His truth sharpens our ability to detect foreign voices and deviant messages. (Proverbs 2:1-5; John 7:17; 10:27; 16:13; James 1:5) 

Where do we go for our morning mindset? How carefully do we sift through the barrage of voices available to us, to know what aligns with the holy Word and what would lure us astray? What proportion of our time is spent directly in God’s Word, where we learn and recalibrate our plumb line, and so equip ourselves to process and assess the banter of our culture? (Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 50:4)

And when we speak, are we steadfast in putting a guard over our lips, and proclaiming only what is pure, true, and edifying? Are our words filled with the salt and light of the gospel that points others to Christ? Is our voice one that reflects the glory of our God and lifts high His name in praise? (Psalm 141:3; Matthew 5:13-16)

“Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee.” ~Frances Ridley Havergal (1874)

Father, help me discern foreign voices and eschew their allure to alien affections and errant belief. Ever incline my ear to You, that I hear and digest Your words of life, and live by them, for Your holy sake. (Isaiah 55:3)

“For the waves of death encompassed me,
    the torrents of destruction assailed me;
the cords of Sheol entangled me;
    the snares of death confronted me.

“In my distress I called upon the Lord;
    to my God I called.
From his temple he heard my voice,
    and my cry came to his ears…

“He sent from on high, he took me;
    he drew me out of many waters.
He rescued me from my strong enemy,
    from those who hated me,
    for they were too mighty for me.
They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
    but the Lord was my support.
He brought me out into a broad place;
    he rescued me, because he delighted in me…

For you are my lamp, O Lord,
    and my God lightens my darkness.
For by you I can run against a troop,
    and by my God I can leap over a wall.
 This God—his way is perfect;
    the word of the Lord proves true;
    he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

“For who is God, but the Lord?
    And who is a rock, except our God?
This God is my strong refuge
    and has made my way blameless.
He made my feet like the feet of a deer
    and set me secure on the heights.
He trains my hands for war,
    so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You have given me the shield of your salvation…
You gave a wide place for my steps under me,
    and my feet did not slip.” 2 Samuel 22:2-7,17-20,29-37

David knew walls. Walls of confusion, fear, anxiety over unknowns. Walls of broken relationships, poor communication, misunderstanding, and of failing to see things eye to eye. Walls of opposition, confrontation, pursuing enemies. Walls of isolation, loneliness, depression, no way of escape, hopelessness. Walls of difficulties, impossibilities, incurables, with no realistic way to revive or redeem. (1 Samuel 25:1-35; 2 Samuel 6:16-22)

David also knew his God. He was his rock, deliverer, and rescuer. His Lord was his savior from violence, death, and disaster. Whatever David’s distress, calamity, or impossible place, his Lord was the One who made able his feet to leap over walls and stand secure, rest unshaken, trust with immovable faith in His promises.

We encounter many of the same walls today, physical and mental foes that try to thwart our progress in faith, disrupt optimism, impede good communication, or block off hopeful expectancy. All around us walls of hatred, ridicule, and contorted views being parlayed as truth put barriers between what is perceived and what is real. Will we call on the Lord for rescue and light to be wise? Will we yield to His training, and take hold of His word and perfect way? There is none like Him!

With His help we can tear down walls of hostility, speak truth that transforms, and love others until their hearts melt at seeing Jesus. We can replace man-made walls with the solid rock of Christ as central in our life motivation and conversation. What difference will we commit to make?

Lord, equip me for daily battles with the one who seeks to steal, kill and destroy. In Your name and power may I leap over the world’s walls, and share Your abundance of freedom and joy with those who know You not. (John 10:10)