As the rain and snow

“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;

To Titus, my true child in a common faith:

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.” Titus 1:1-4

In any introduction, to a letter, a publication, a message, it helps to have an aim, to know why we are presenting what we are. To Paul, his motive is singular, his purpose clear. His letters are as his life, wholly composed and communicated for the sake of faith in those God had entrusted to him. In everything he did and spoke and preached, he endeavored to open the way for others to grow in their understanding of the gospel, apply its truths, and walk more closely with God. The faith that had captivated him, by which he was drastically saved and set free, now shaped the mission of his days on earth. (Acts 9:3-18; Romans 1:16-17; 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Timothy 1:5)

Paul was encouraged by and delighted to hear of lively faith within the churches, and thanked God for it. He rejoiced in their development and expression of faith, and urged that people continue in it so it would grow abundantly. He commended them to take it up as a potent shield in waging spiritual battles. He counted it a privilege to suffer for the sake of others’ faith. He encouraged unity and cooperation in the faith, and prayed that it would be shared effectively. He encouraged Timothy to set an example of faith and to train others in it. (Romans 1:8,12; Ephesians 1:15-16; 6:12-13,16; Philippians 1:12-14,27; Colossians 1:3-4,23; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4; 1 Timothy 4:6,12; Philemon 4-6)

What about me? What do my words and conversations reveal about my real inspiration and intentions? How clearly do I live and speak for the sake of Jesus and faith in Him? Where can I be more deliberate in introducing the concept of faith to a spiritual novice, or encouraging faith in someone less practiced or knowledgable?

With whom in my family and church and the places I minister can I invest in developing faith, taking opportunities to speak of God’s ability and trustworthiness? How faithful am I to cheer them on to be strong and not to waver? In what situations at home, work, or in my community, can I better exemplify faith with courage and joy, even if it seems subversive or strange? (Romans 4:20)

Lord, may my words unlatch the way for Your gospel, that others hear of You and Your gift of salvation. May my love for others open wide Your arms to them, that they sense Your limitless and grace-filled affection. May every aspect of my life invite others to behold the beauties of Your mercy and faithfulness. O God, may I live and breathe for the sake of faith, and keep it all my days. (2 Timothy 4:7)

“Their land is filled with silver and gold,
    and there is no end to their treasures;
their land is filled with horses,
    and there is no end to their chariots.
Their land is filled with idols;
    they bow down to the work of their hands,
    to what their own fingers have made.
So man is humbled,
    and each one is brought low—
    do not forgive them!
Enter into the rock
    and hide in the dust
from before the terror of the LORD,
    and from the splendor of his majesty.
The haughty looks of man shall be brought low,
    and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled,
and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

For the LORD of hosts has a day
    against all that is proud and lofty,
    against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low;
against all the lofty mountains,
    and against all the uplifted hills;
against every high tower,
    and against every fortified wall;
against all the ships of Tarshish,
    and against all the beautiful craft.
And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled,
    and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low,
    and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.” Isaiah 2:7-12,14-17

The LORD, who is high and holy, reigns over the seesaw of man. He watches us, thinking ourselves highly important, and through our years and efforts amassing treasures, piling accomplishments, experiences, degrees, material goods, and accolades to give heft to our lives. Actually, instead of elevating us, these weighty idols only abase. To all our pushing to rise, all our collecting and bowing, to our self-made loft and our little-g gods, He says ‘come down.’ His divine gravity rules, and brings us low. He alone is exalted.

One advantage to less structure and more quiet in our lives is the opportunity to contemplate those things with which we fill our ‘land’ of hours. We have time to breathe, to look beyond the immediate and take in the wider view, to consider the likely future of our life if we were to keep on the same trajectory. In this day the Lord of hosts has for us, where are we building, what are we gathering, whom are we worshiping?

What idols is my Lord identifying today? Control and use of my time, just the way I want with no interruptions or outside demands? Possessions that give me a sense of security or self-worth? My identity from what I’ve earned or achieved? My children, my family, my heritage? Do I recognize how I have elevated these things above Him in my attention and affection? Will I stop my swinging up and down on this temporal seesaw, cease the pride and changing values, and gratefully extol the truly exalted One?

“Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.”  ~Isaac Watts (1707)

O high and lifted up LORD, whose name is holy, pause me and steady me into a proper view of self before You. Loosen my hold on idols of this world that I can cling, with no guile, to You. (Isaiah 57:15)

“And Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, ‘We are setting out for the place of which the Lord said, “I will give it to you.” Come with us, and we will do good to you, for the Lord has promised good to Israel.’ But he said to him, ‘I will not go. I will depart to my own land and to my kindred.’ And he said, ‘Please do not leave us, for you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you will serve as eyes for us. And if you do go with us, whatever good the Lord will do to us, the same will we do to you.’ 

“So they set out from the mount of the Lord three days’ journey. And the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them three days’ journey, to seek out a resting place for them. And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day, whenever they set out from the camp. And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, ‘Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.’ And when it rested, he said, ‘Return, O Lord, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.’” Numbers 10:29-36

It might be assumed that Hobab had accompanied his brother-in-law Moses since he met back up with Reuel (Jethro) his father-in-law at the base of Mount Sinai. However long he had been with the great leader, at a particular moment he faced a dilemma common to man, and hesitates in accompanying Moses further. The place of good was promised yet unseen, and home and family were known, so Hobab wanted to stay. Moses urges him further: ‘you can help us, your knowledge is valuable to us, and good will be yours if you come.’ (Exodus 18)

Every morning, every free hour, every open door to the unknown, is a similar place of decision. The choice to come God’s way is to forsake what is comfortable and familiar, to cast in our lot with the One who ordains our particular gifts and how He wants to use them to bless His world. To follow is to keep in step with the guiding cloud, however opaque, to trust the heart behind the invisible, beckoning hand.

Sometimes God ordains others who, like Moses, present us with new opportunities, and encourage us on in faith. Sometimes, we are the ones called to lead those who are reluctant, to plod on boldly with grit, prayer, and dependence, pointing them to the Lord. It is vital for our fruitfulness that we be willing to slough off our natural bent to comfort and perceived safety, and take up with our Master, wherever He leads.

The place of blessing is the place beside Him along the road, of serving Him and His people in the wilderness, of being eyes for the blind and comfort for the broken, of trusting His promises. His goodness, His rest, His provision, come throughout the journey. Will we refuse or accept to embark with Him?

“The Lord hath promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.”  ~John Newton (1725-1807)

Lord, to Your every invitation, “Here am I.” (Isaiah 6:8)

 

 

“Peter said to him, ‘Even though they all fall away, I will not.’ And [Jesus] took with him Peter and James and John, and… he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.’  And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed… And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour?  Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ And again he went away and prayed… And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. And he came the third time and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough.’ 

“And they led Jesus to the high priest… And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard… One of the servant girls of the high priest came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, ‘You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.’ But he denied it, saying, ‘I neither know nor understand what you mean.’ And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, ‘This man is one of them.’ But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are one of them.’ But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, ‘I do not know this man of whom you speak.’ And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.” Mark 14:29,33-35,37-41,53-54,66-72

Peter was taken into the inner circle, and commanded to watch, then specifically by name to watch and pray that weak flesh might not win over his willing spirit. But he fell asleep, followed only at a distance, and in the dark of the scandalous night and heat of the pressured moment, his resolve of fealty crumbled. The rooster crowed, and conviction pierced.

What does it take for us to remain in Christ? To be vigilant, stay alert, resist Satan’s seduction? God has graciously given many cautions in His word, steps to make us strong in faith and against temptation. While it’s easy to spectate and disbelieve Peter’s fall, where have we refused God’s clear warnings against sloth, deception, gossip, situations that dangle sin-traps? When does apathy or personal comfort, selfish priority or fear of man, keep me at a distance and in danger of denying my Lord? (Proverbs 16:27; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:14-15; 4:8)

Boasts are made easily when life is smooth, but once enters an irritant, a challenge, an enticement, and emotional promises made can evaporate in an instant. Would we pray in reverent dependence, be accountable with a friend, and diligently heed Christ’s words before the pain of the rooster crow?

Lord, keep me tightly connected to You, deep in Your word, faithful in fellowship, snug in your armor, that I may claim and proclaim You under any circumstance, with great joy. (Ephesians 6:10-17)

“About this we have much to say, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Therefore, go on to maturity.” Hebrews 5:11-6:1

“Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting.” “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 Kings 3:9; James 1:5-6; 1 John 4:1 

Recent musings on a flurry of opinions and dictates from experts on everything from immunology to politicking, from economics to journalistic persuasion, have brought to light the dire need for discernment. It has been said we need to ‘train a child for the road, not the road for the child,’ and, ‘we need to be trained how to think, not what to think.’ It is vital to our fruitful living as Christians to be able to understand the world and events in our culture through the filter of inerrant biblical truth.

In a day when we have access to a glut of information from a myriad of sources, it is a challenge to know what to read, where to tune in, how to discern. It is also easy, because of information fatigue or simple exhaustion, to become ‘dull of hearing’ and fail to question and test what we are being fed. God commands that we grow mature and wise by taking seriously our spiritual training in His word. He also promises to provide wisdom and guidance when we seek it. (Psalm 32:8; Proverbs 2:1-11)

To distinguish between true and false we need to be familiar with the Bible, and to train our perception by applying it in our day to day. Counterfeit money specialists study the real thing so they recognize the false when they see it. We can practice assessing truth in conversation with others by understanding objectives and listening keenly to arguments, trusting God’s Spirit to train us to discern what is fact and how that might be colored by personal vantage point.

Are we curious and brave enough to seek true information, not just confirmation of what we want to hear and believe? In whatever information we take in, do we expend the time to ponder, the mental and spiritual effort to truly discern? The conviction of the Spirit is far superior teacher to lazy reception of others’ views, and it is ours for the asking. (John 14:26; 16:13)

O Lord, send me daily Your light and Your truth. Hone in me the proper fear of You and holy discretion. By Your Spirit, shape my powers of discernment and lead me. (Psalm 43:3; 1 Corinthians 2:13-16)

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving… at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Ephesians 5:1-4,8-11

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life.” Philippians 2:14-16

We are different from the world in fact, because we are God’s beloved children, yet though we own this distinct spiritual identity, we are called to live it practically so others can see the proof that it is so. Our imitation of Christ has many manifestations that give obvious evidence to our other-ness.

While the list of Christ-like behaviors seems arduous, even impossible under the limitations of our frail flesh and the forces working against us, our Paraclete is Jesus Himself. He not only models how to live, but is in us the very power to live that way. He never demands what He does not enable. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

When our sensual inclination is to indulge self, the Lord says ‘offer yourselves as a living sacrifice,’ and enables us to renounce worldly passions. When our deceitful heart puffs us with self-importance and we deem others inferior or unlovely, Jesus says ‘love, lay down your life,’ and sheds His love abroad in our hearts. When we are bombarded with inane, degrading, or corrupt entertainment, we are called to choose differently and instead for what is noble and lovely. Jesus grants power, wisdom, and righteousness. When we are offered morsels of gossip that diminish others or harm reputations, it may be difficult to refuse the bait, to change the subject to what is pure and upbuilding. But God gives grace and courage to say no, to expose falsehoods and complaints, to be light penetrating dark places. (Jeremiah 17:9; John 15:13; Romans 5:5; 12:1; 1 Corinthians 1:24,30; Philippians 4:8; Titus 2:11-12)

In what instances and places will we dare to be the different people we are? Where can we infuse lofty ideas into vapid conversation? Where will we interject thanksgiving into the common drone of blame and complain? How can we speak spiritual blessing into the curse of negativity? To whom will we offer peace to allay anxiety, mercy to vanquish shame, loving interest to dispel loneliness, confession to dissolve bitterness, forgiveness to resolve fear? From what practices or temptations do we need to come out and be separate, in order to display God’s magnificent name? (John 17:14-16; 2 Corinthians 6:17)

Lord, may I bravely be different from the world, even as I dwell herein. May my life show that I am Yours and You are mine. (Song of Solomon 6:3)

“Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
    and come away,
for behold, the winter is past;
    the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
    the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove
    is heard in our land.
The fig tree ripens its figs,
    and the vines are in blossom;
    they give forth fragrance.
Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
    and come away.
O my dove, in the clefts of the rock,
    in the crannies of the cliff,
let me see your face,
    let me hear your voice,
for your voice is sweet,
    and your face is lovely.
Catch the foxes for us,
    the little foxes
that spoil the vineyards,
    for our vineyards are in blossom.” Song of Solomon 2:10-15

The winter of wet and storms is part of life’s seasons, and its bleakness sets the magnificent backdrop for the glories of song and blossom that follow. Just as the dawn after a thunderstorm rises with fresher air and brighter green, so the mercies of God appear lush and fragrant the other side of hardship and heartbreak. An upended life, misfortunes over which we have no control, cause wrangling and weeping that endure for a night, yet joy, and word of God’s unfailing love, come in the morning. We can with certain hope expect God to swallow the temporary dark in His blazing, glorious sun.  (Psalm 30:5; 143:8; Lamentations 3:22-23)

Would we recognize the intricacies of God’s mercies were it not for storms? Would our senses gasp at the rich colors of spring, the regal painted blossoms with velvety petals, were they not against dark soil? The Lover of our souls bids us come away from sloshing in grey despair to behold the varied hues of His deeper love and grace. See the blooms and smell their fragrance? Hear the birds’ melody? Taste the ripe figs? Ah, what a feast He prepares when we lift our faces to Him and eschew the little nipping foxes that would hold us back.

“We pray for blessings
We pray for peace,
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep;
We pray for healing, for prosperity,
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering.
All the while, You hear each spoken need,
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things…

What if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near;
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love,
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough?

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy?
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise?”  ~Laura Story (Blessings)

Loving Father, thank You for rain, from which You purpose to bring only unfathomable, divine good. Let me never settle for lesser things, from wallowing in coddling puddles. Draw me away from the pests of self-focus and pity to soar and sing and take full delight in You.

 

“The Lord has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” “Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.” “So you shall keep my commandments and do them: I am the Lord. And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 10:3; 20:8; 22:31-33

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord,.. but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began… By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” “He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one origin.” 2 Timothy 1:6-9,14; Hebrews 2:11

The theme of God’s sanctifying His people is woven through Scripture like a golden thread from Genesis to Revelation. Not as often is it mentioned alongside God’s own sanctification, or holiness, which actually is the key to ours. While our being made holy is led by the Almighty, it requires our yielding to the powerful refining work of the Holy Spirit, and we must begin with a high view of God, sanctifying Him in our hearts as Supreme King and Absolute, Holy Highness. From that vantage point, we are in a humble position to be sanctified by Him through every part.

His is the holiness, His the potent persuasion. God it is who crashes His might into our personalities and proclivities, who washes pure our intentions and resolve, who ignites in us His holy calling. We then, in an act of our transforming will, begin to live out His power, love, self-control, boldness, and grace. With each act in the flow of His Spirit, we grow in Christ-likeness, we build stronger immunity against sin impulses, we are being ‘sanctified.’ Truly, as practice makes perfect, following in the Lord’s steps makes us increasingly holy in this life, though we are not fully like Him until we see Him face to face. (Matthew 5:13; 1 John 3:2)

Where do we need His Spirit’s wash today? Will we hand Him the reins of our decisions, mouths, cravings, activities, for consecration and sanctity?

“Cleanse and refine our earthly parts, inflame and sanctify our hearts; our frailties help, our vice control, submit the senses to the soul.”  ~John Dryden (1631-1700)

Holy Lord, guard me against an evil, unbelieving heart, from being hardened by sin”s deceitfulness or falling away from You. Sanctify my deepest parts from which all else flows. Captivate me with Your holiness until, with every fiber of my being, I desire to be holy too. (Hebrews 3:12-13; 1 Peter 1:16)

“God thunders wondrously with his voice;
    he does great things that we cannot comprehend.
For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’
    likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour.
From its chamber comes the whirlwind,
    and cold from the scattering winds.
By the breath of God ice is given,
    and the broad waters are frozen fast.
He loads the thick cloud with moisture;
    the clouds scatter his lightning.
They turn around and around by his guidance,
    to accomplish all that he commands them
    on the face of the habitable world.
Whether for correction or for his land
    or for love, he causes it to happen. ” Job 37:5-6,9-13

“The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
    and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.
His way is in whirlwind and storm,
    and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

The Lord is good,
    a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.” Nahum 1:3,7

A storm brewed heavy and strong, and after turning midday to ominous dusk, thrashed its whirlwind torrentially across our view, lashing at trees, whipping rain, tearing huge branches from their trunks. God thunders.

God is a God of peace. He gives comfort and rest. But to think ‘easy street’ is the constant theme of the Christian life is to have a short-sighted view of how Mighty God works. His way is in the whirlwind. Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen. Sometimes His cause is manifold; we can always trust it to be good. From the place of trouble we know His very present help. From the storm, He speaks, and His word goes forth to accomplish His meaningful purposes. (Job 38:1; Psalm 46:1; Isaiah 55:10-11)

He who separated waters from waters and earth from sky; He who caused the fountains of the deep to burst forth and opened the heavens to forty days of rain to flood the earth; He who parted the Red Sea so His nation could walk through it, and held back the rushing waters of the Jordan so His people could cross; He who split open the earth to swallow rebellious Korah and his family, He moves in the whirlwind. He has every right and all power to reveal His providence and work His divine charm in the midst of upheaval and stormy trial. (Genesis 1:6-10; 7:11-12; Exodus 14:16-22; Numbers 16:31-34; Joshua 3:14-17)

This God shakes off branches we have allowed to rot in self-indulgence and idolatry, and cracks off others in full fruition to reveal our true first love and how masterfully He heals and comforts. He halts the power sources we rely on– the economy, man-made light, adrenaline from busyness– to remind us Who really fuels our lives. His storms wash clean the grey fog in our thinking, the foreign affections that nestle in our hearts, the clouds of rebellion or independence that envelop our will. Would we not welcome God’s tempest if we understood its end?

Father, disentangle me from fearing the storm and resisting Your way in the whirlwind. Turn my penchant to complain or fret to expect lasting good, and give thanks for what I cannot yet see.

 

“If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments, then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Your threshing shall last to the time of the grape harvest, and the grape harvest shall last to the time for sowing. And you shall eat your bread to the full and dwell in your land securely. I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid.” “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” Leviticus 26:3-6; Psalm 23:1-3

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness… Those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land… The meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace… Those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land… The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever… Wait for the LORD and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land.” Psalm 37:3,9,11,22,29,34

Specific land was promised to Israel, and there is a land of plenty promised to us, God’s children. In Psalm 37:3, “befriend faithfulness” can read “feed on faithfulness” or “find safe pasture.” Trusting the LORD and befriending faithfulness to Him and His ways assures security, rest, and bounty we know nowhere else. (Genesis 15:18-21)

Every day we awaken to a new land of possibilities, of hours given and provision supplied. As God ordains the earth to spin and the sun to shine, we have free will to order how we spend ourselves and what He’s entrusted to us. How well do we dwell in the here and now of God’s pasture?

Every morning we can establish our stake with the Lord, taking rest in His green pastures and tapping into His living water. We can ask Him to till the soil of our heart, plant His life-giving truth, and sow His character deep. As we trust, and He leads, His active power engages our energy and all our faculties so we can bear fruit, exhibiting His extravagance (“out of the land”) to those around us. Dwelling well becomes us, and glorifies the Owner of the land. (John 4:14)

What does befriending faithfulness in God’s land look like today? What, and where, should I be planting? Before sowing, how must I prepare the soil in my mind, in my agenda? What old resentments or resistances need to be turned up and discarded? Are there areas in my life where I bear little fruit: gifts that lie fallow and unused, resources that I waste? When comes reaping, have I taken time to thank God for the harvest, and then generously share? (Matthew 25:14-30)

And in my place of dwelling, how well am I caring for those that belong to me? What bounty from God’s faithfulness to me do I offer to them? Whom do I invite to partake of my indescribable inheritance?

Lord, make faithfulness my friend in every aspect of dwelling in Your land. You give so much. May I return praise to you and abundance to others in Your gracious name.