As the rain and snow

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.” “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Deuteronomy 29:29; Proverbs 25:2; Jeremiah 33:3

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?’ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:33-34,36

Corona: something suggesting a crown. The puzzle is entitled, “World Champions,” depicting the crowning of Major League Baseball’s 2006 victors. The coronavirus came disguised, certain symptoms recognizable, yet invisibly sinister and incomprehensibly contagious for an unknown period of time. Under a microscope, it is lovely, shaped like a crown, yet its spread and ravage are a royal headache, and heartache. The puzzle comes with a title, no image, and almost 1100 colorful, complicated pieces to fit together. Both carry great mystery to man, yet are entirely known by God the King, who in His glory, conceals things so we can search them out.

Mystery behooves us, yet as creatures made in God’s image, we yearn to search out what is beyond us, to discover, to understand. And in this exploration and crying out for comprehension, we get just enough taste of God’s limitless grace and glory for us to savor His royal goodness and hunger for more.

As hours, days, weeks go by, we learn increasingly more about the virus and put pieces together for new treatment and guidelines. Some mystery concealed is now mystery revealed, but many components still hide unknown or undeciphered in the dark. Unlike a puzzle, it may never be completely resolved, yet we know Who created and rules the kingdom. (Colossians 1:16)

When I yearn to understand, do I seek out my Lord? Do I take time to contemplate and praise His infinitude, His measureless knowledge, love, wisdom, perfection, holiness, and justice? Will I number His mercies, trace His hand through my days and years, recount His gifts? Do I recognize the ways my faith has grown and made a difference? Am I spending time in the hidden place, beholding His glory, relishing His power toward me and the resurrection power He offers? (Exodus 33:18-23; Ephesians 1:15-21; Philippians 3:10)

In all things puzzling and concealed, we can trust the perfect authority of the King of kings. His is the supreme crown. His plans are faithful and sure, His ends worthy of our confidence and rejoicing. (Isaiah 25:1,6-9)

“Crown him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o’er the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife
for those he came to save;
his glories now we sing
who died and rose on high,
who died eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.”  ~Matthew Bridges (1851)

Preeminent Sovereign, omniscient Lord over all that is concealed and secret, keep me delving deep to know You better, and in unfathomed mysteries, fortify my trust in Thee.

“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
    he turns it wherever he will.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the heart.

“No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel
    can avail against the Lord.” Proverbs 21:1-2,30

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” “For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?” “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Job 42:2; Isaiah 14:7; Romans 8:28

Mesmerizing was the predawn sky, grey heaps moving east at a steady clip to meet voluminous clouds racing from the south to converge in one dark ominous accumulation. Distinct masses, differing directions, yet one Ruler converging all into His flow of good purpose.

In a time of uncertainty, uneasy adjustment to what is a tenuous normal, there is much combatting without and within. Around us, serious voices drone, alarming with statistics and prescribing certain behaviors, while others warn against anxiety over what-ifs whose numbers change daily. Answers assuage some questions, but invite others. What is the bigger picture? Can we weigh all factors? Or is every decision driven as its own cloud bank on course to combat other roiling concerns?

Within, we wonder what to believe of conflicting reports, how to respond to sober facts and projections floated with minimal context or comparison. Our emotions can be whiplashed between fear and faith, planning and waiting, practical protection and preserving loving care for our neighbors. How do we best love behind masks? How should we spend our time during isolation? Jesus never retreated from the fray, except to move on to another place of ministry. He moved in the flow of His Father’s timing and will. His work was always the perfect, all-encompassing convergence of spiritual and physical. (John 4:34; 7:6; 10:39-40; 17:4)

To gain true perspective of combatting forces, seen and unseen, we must recede from the damp of the clouds, step away from the press of the moment, and watch the One who orchestrates every motion to fulfill His good plans in the big broad world, in His church, and in our hearts. He is doing something magnificent and more than we can imagine as He conducts His symphony of science, medicine, economies, governments, and the unseen but active spiritual world. God alone knows and superintends all things physiological and institutional. He rules cognitive reason and medical research, financial markets and civil rights and the human heart. What to us is conflict, He resolves in harmonious convergence of divine purpose, and is glorified in the doing. Are we watching? (Habakkuk 1:5; Ephesians 6:12)

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10

Will we resist the fear- and frustration-driven urge to combat in our trials, and choose instead to anticipate the Lord’s exalted triumph over all?

Sovereign Father, keep me wondering and astounded at Your supernatural hand in all that transpires in the natural world, however disheartening or unnerving. To You belong the strongest trust and highest praise.

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘See, you say to me, “Bring up this people,” but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, “I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.” Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you…’ And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ And he said to him, ‘If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here... Please show me your glory.’ And he said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name “The Lord.” And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live. Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.’” Exodus 33:12-15,18-23

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

Moses was a man of great faith, but he had his moments of weakness and doubt. His was a momentous task, and he wanted to be assured that the God who had called him would remain his constant companion. The journey with Israel was not worth taking if God would not go with them. Moses longed to know God’s ways, to see His glory, to be assured of His presence. And God responded with a message that holds today: ‘I am with you, and you will see glimpses of Me, but this life is one of walking by faith in the promise that one day, all shadows will become realities.’

Trials come and we cannot see their end. Circumstances twist so greatly we cannot untangle their meaning. Projections and diagnoses change, and we cannot find a grip on anything certain. Our present realities are so dark and distorted we chafe at being unable to understand and make plans and know.

But enter almighty God into our shadows. His is the light that gives shape and hope, that beckons us on. He is the One who proclaims His names Shepherd, Master, and King to us, the One who is plenteous in mercy and grace. He is the One who offers rest in the cleft of the Rock that is Him.

Will we choose to adjust our eyes to the shadow in which we live, and rejoice in His companionship there? Will we rest content in His favor, and watch for His ways and glory in the present, confident they are a taste of realities to come?

Lord, give me eyes of faith, that though I cannot yet see You, I believe, and live here in the shadowlands certain of Your presence. (John 20:8-9,29)

“Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

^“Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), and… Justus. They have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans… And say to Archippus, ‘See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.’ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.” Colossians 4:7-18

Paul closes his letter to the church at Colossae by naming and describing several spiritual siblings, giving a look into meaningful and cherished relationships and what fruitful ministry involves. In our season of physical separation, God is still at work in the church, and has not given us a pass at caring for others in Jesus’s name.

Struggling in regular prayer, writing letters, serving needs, hard toiling, comforting, encouraging, communicating well- all these are components of healthy interaction and mutual support within the Body. Paul’s love for the church oozes out in his mention of individuals by name, expressing appreciation and special acknowledgement according to his knowledge of them, their work, and their needs. As a leader and role model he informs, encourages, upbuilds, and instructs. He is careful to commend, and deliberate to connect people. He is open about both his activities and his suffering. And he makes everyone feel special and valued.

How involved are we in the lives of those around us, in our church body? Do we focus mostly on our own responsibilities, or intentionally take time to get to know, include, check on, come alongside others? How well do we value the contribution of those who do things differently, or do different things, and how are we expressing appreciation and support? In what specific way will we, this week, ‘greet’ those the Lord brings to mind? How will we reach out, in friendship and brotherly love, with commendation, or cheer, or prayer, or simply communication?

Father, may my life be an open-armed greeting to all You bring to my door or to my heart. Determine my every word to encourage, console, and upbuild, for Your name’s sake. (1 Corinthians 14:3)

“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry… Put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another…  

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:4-5,8-9,12-17

Jesus Christ who died is alive, and is my life! By faith in His death and victorious resurrection, I am dead to self and alive in Him. I am no longer controlled by the old; the new has come. Every wicked way, wondering, worry, and word can be cast aside. The roll of the eye in criticism, the bothered huff in a verbal response, the impatient tapping of spirit when someone doesn’t ‘get with it’ as I want, the cringe at irritations, no longer have sway or need linger in my life. No more the nasty weeds of resentment, the slow flame of covetousness, the shrines of idolatry, the clutch of greed. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

“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.” Galatians 2:20

Jesus lives! He reigns! And He lives in me! I am no longer my own, but His, exercised and breathing by His life-power in and through me!

With Christ my life, and my life His, I am free to live as He lives. New desire burns to seek Him first and follow in His steps. As old impulses and language die, newfound passion and grace-filled vocabulary come to life. Peace and joy take over my mind; humility, long-suffering, and mercy begin to bridle and steer my responses. Compassion reins my heart to overflow in blessing, kindness, and thankfulness to others, and my hands to open in generosity. My plans that were once set for my temporal agenda are now aligned with His, which stretch eternal. Christ my life makes a difference in all of life. (Matthew 6:33; John 13:15)

Wonderful Redeemer, so work Your resurrection power in me that it is obvious to others that You are my life, to the praise of Your glory and grace.

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel… as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures… Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” 1 Corinthians 15:1,3-4,12-20

Everything that matters hinges on the resurrection of Jesus. If He was just a great man and teacher, who modeled a righteous life but died like the rest of humanity, this helps us for a time, but leaves us facing the end of our days with some puffy pride, warm feelings, and a heavily-tilted scale, but no eternal hope. If He was just a substitute who died in our place, taking on Himself the penalty for our sin, but did not rise victorious, we have no freedom. If He fulfilled part of the scriptures in His being born of the seed of Abraham, in the royal line of David, yet did not rise again, God’s word has not proven fully true and His reputation is at stake. The very gospel, and our faith in it, is founded on the resurrection of our Savior and Redeemer. (Romans 6:5-6)

And in fact, He has been raised! Victor over sin and death! Our living hope for the present and all eternity! Reconciler to make us righteous and equip us with power! (Luke 24:1-7; John 11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:54-55; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21; Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 5:9)

Why would I doubt His promises or my worth as His child, why languish in besetting sin, why fear suffering or the future, when Jesus my Victor is alive, and reigns? (Psalm 9:7,11)

O God who raised my Lord, raise me by Your power to live victoriously over all the world’s enticements and the fawning of the flesh. Raise my sights to behold daily Your majestic glory, and to reflect You as worthy to be trusted to those who know You not. “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Corinthians 6:14; Hebrews 13:20-21)

“He shall carry the bull outside the camp and burn it up as he burned the first bull; it is the sin offering for the assembly.” “He is a leprous man, he is unclean. The priest must pronounce him unclean. The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean.’ He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp.” “Bring out of the camp the one who cursed, and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him.” “They put him in custody, because it had not been made clear what should be done to him. And the Lord said to Moses, ‘The man shall be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.’ And all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, as the Lord commanded Moses.” Leviticus 4:21; 13:44-46; 24:13-14; Numbers 15:34-36

“For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.” Hebrews 13:11-13

Inside the camp was belonging, identity with God’s people, communion. Outside the camp were the burned sacrifices for sin, the unclean, the criminals, shame and isolation and punishment. In the Old Testament, banishment outside the camp was a cruel curse for the banished and corrupt, a protection for God’s people inside.

Then came our Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The Perfect Insider became the perfect sacrifice. The sinless One bore our sins on the cross. He took in Himself our curse and punishment. He walked the road outside the camp to be crucified so we could be let in and secure forever. Curse for cleansing, penalty for forgiveness, death for life. What a Savior! (Isaiah 53:4-6; Matthew 27:32-33; John 1:29; Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:24)

What shame do I carry? Jesus carried it to Calvary. What sins burden, what guilt nags and eats away at inner peace? He finished their curse on the cross. What relationships are scarred by isolation, bitterness, misconception or misunderstanding? Where do I feel cast out? Our Redeemer was broken that we might be healed, restored, and unified. When we meet Him outside the camp and bow under the cleansing blood, He begins His glorious work of sanctification in every crevice. (John 17:11; 19:30; Hebrews 12:2)

“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.

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)

My Lord and Great High Priest, get me up and willing to join You outside the world’s camp, and bring others to Your Cross.

 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:10-18

The dichotomy of giving life for life becomes clear by both illustration and reality with Jesus. We picture a shepherd walking, leading, and with his staff and dogs herding dumb sheep to grass, water, and shelter. But Jesus repeatedly describes Himself as the good shepherd who “lays down his life for the sheep,” five times in eight verses. In the East, shepherds would guide sheep into pens at night, and literally lie down across the opening to guard them from wolves or thieves, thus ‘laying down their lives’ for the lives of their own.

Jesus’s sheep, His children, are so valuable to Him that He loves them to death. He literally lays down His life for our sake and on our behalf so we can own life abundant. Who but God does that? He is perfect in love and perfectly our substitute. We are the ones deserving death, our sins have stained our lives beyond repair, but God, rich in mercy, intervened by sending Jesus to die in our place. The wages of our sin is death, but Jesus paid those wages in our stead by dying Himself to free us unto life eternal. What wondrous love! (John 3:16; Romans 3:23-25; 6:23; Ephesians 2:4-8; 1 John 2:2)

So how will I treat my own life in response? Do I spend my energy and resources to protect it, to sequester into my safety and comfort, or do I actively look for ways to offer it for my Lord and His children? How willing am I to set aside my preferences, ease, security, and pleasures for the benefit or upbuilding, or to fulfill the needs of, another? Who around me hungers for a note, a call, a meal, a word of true life?

Lord God, give me Your eyes and ears, Your arms of love and words of hope, to all who need Your life today. Out of love and gratitude for Your life laid down for me, I lay down mine to glorify You. (1 Corinthians 6:20)

^“Pilate [asked], ‘What accusation do you bring against this man?’ They answered, ‘If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.’ So Pilate entered his headquarters again and said to [Jesus], ‘Are you the King of the Jews?.. What have you done?’  Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world.’ Then Pilate said, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth.’ Pilate said to him, ‘What is truth?’ He went back outside to the Jews and told them, ‘I find no guilt in him.’ 

“Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him… The chief priests and officers cried out, ‘Crucify him!’ Pilate said, ‘Crucify him [yourselves], for I find no guilt in him.’ The Jews answered, ‘According to [our] law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.’ When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid.

^“From then on Pilate sought to release him,.. for he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, ‘Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.’  But the Jews cried out, ‘If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend.’ So Pilate brought Jesus out and… said, ‘Shall I crucify your King? Why? I have found in him no guilt deserving death.’ But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted.” John 18:29-30,33,35-38; 19:1,6-8,12-15; Matthew 27:18-19; Luke 23:22-24

Though he had no evidence for, and several specific warnings and divine evidence against, Pilate chose to have Jesus crucified. The crowd’s shouting held greater sway than Jesus’s words. We judge him as weak, and pity his crowd-pleasing, but where is our guilt?

Every day we choose how to treat Jesus. We put Him on trial in our thinking and behaving. We accuse Him of cruelty or injustice when He withholds what we want or think we need. We judge as malevolent His way of doing business when it includes suffering, or waiting. In conversation, we fret and fear, and so cast doubt on His love, faithfulness, and goodness. We say He’s King, but resist His rule and fear surrender and what it might require. We say we trust God, but allow the incessant vocal ‘crowd’ of news and opinion to undermine His majesty and rightful authority over all things seen and unseen.

When presented with Jesus, how do we respond? If He is really divine and holds all authority, are we trusting Him with all aspects of our life? Is our fear of man or disease or loss greater than our reverent fear of the Almighty? Where are we weak like Pilate? Are we bold enough to ask Jesus to reveal our vulnerable places, then act on the truth? (John 19:21-22)

O Lord, may I courageously live what I believe about You. Guard me from fear of the crowd or any voice except Yours. Keep me fearing and revering You alone and above all.

 

 

“ And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing.’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” Matthew 8:23-26

“Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side. He went up on the mountain by himself to pray… but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.'” Matthew 14:22-25,27

“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with… the Spirit.” “He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.'” John 3:8; 20:22

It stormed last night, wind whipping sheets of rain like an angry laundry maid. Wherever the birds hid then, they are liberated this morning, raising a glad timbrel of song as leaves and fronds continue their swish and sway, and water runs dimpled. The same wind that lashes the rain is the one that blows it on and freshens the morning after. And so it is with the Holy Spirit.

As the Spirit leads us into storms, and hems us in even as tempests spit and blow and soak, He breathes in us His holy breath all through and to the other side, never ceasing His movement and ministry of power in our lives.

Sometimes, the gale of circumstances overwhelms, overthrowing our plans and threatening to disrupt our peace. The same Jesus who deliberately sent His disciples into the night’s unseen, pending storm under His watchful eye, is the One who orders such tempests for us. Through the lash of pain and uncertainty He reminds us of His prayer for us, His certain and calm presence with us, and that all forces with which we contend have no match in His power. His Spirit goes before us and hems us in behind, and He will see us through. (Psalm 139:5,7-12; Romans 8:31,34)

“I feel the winds of God today;
today my sail I lift,
though heavy oft with drenching spray
and torn with many a rift;
if hope but light the water’s crest,
and Christ my bark will use,
I’ll seek the seas at his behest,
and brave another cruise.”  ~Jessie Adams (1863-1954)

Lord, Living Spirit, blow! In these stormy times, blow into and all around me Your grace to rejoice, Your strength to withstand, Your love to share. Keep blowing Your glory that the sleeping may awaken, the blind see, the hardened understand and know that You are God, there is none other. (Isaiah 45:5)