As the rain and snow

“The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. 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. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers… The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who dwell in it. Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him. The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.” Nahum 1:2-8

No one likes to consider the wrath of God, and many have a hard time reconciling His love with any hint of anger or punishment. But the Scriptures teach both as part of His holy character, each as a worthy attribute of the wholly righteous Ruler of all. We struggle with wrath because we do not want to admit we are sinners and deserve it, and we refuse the harshness of torment, misery, and separation. In doing so, we are actually saying we would settle for a compromising God, a less-that-perfect One who winks at sin, whose heaven is not pure. If God truly loves His own and created us for Himself, He cannot settle for our going our own way. Purity cannot exist with vileness, light is inconsistent with darkness. His love and wrath meet and kiss in His mercy. In abounding grace, He has made a way for us to take refuge from the storm of wrath and fly in freedom from guilt. (Luke 16:22-31; Romans 3:10-12,23)

Jesus, the unblemished Lamb, carried the full weight of our sin to the cross, and incurred our deserved wrath in our stead. When we contemplate so great and loving a Savior, and allow the truth of what He has done on our behalf to sink in, we can only fall on our faces in humble gratitude, and adore this Man of sorrows, this Friend of sinners. Proper worship is reverence and veneration for all that God is, every attribute encompassing His whole. (Isaiah 53:3-12; Matthew 11:19; 1 Peter 2:24)

Where am I picking and choosing what I want of God, rather than seeking Him for the whole and holy of Who He is, and worshiping Him there?

“O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

O tell of his might and sing of his grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.”  ~Robert Grant (1833)

Beautiful Lord, thank You that in wrath, You remember mercy. Revive Your work of worship in me. (Habakkuk 3:2)

 

 

“Now Solomon purposed to build a temple for the name of the Lord. And Solomon assigned 70,000 men to bear burdens and 80,000 to quarry in the hill country, and 3,600 to oversee them. And Solomon sent word to Hiram the king of Tyre: ‘As you dealt with David my father and sent him cedar to build himself a house to dwell in, so deal with me. Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of the Lord my God and dedicate it to him for the burning of incense of sweet spices before him, and for the regular arrangement of the showbread, and for burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths and the new moons and the appointed feasts of the Lord our God, as ordained forever for Israel. The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him?’ ..Then Hiram the king of Tyre answered in a letter that he sent to Solomon, ‘Because the Lord loves his people, he has made you king over them. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, who has discretion and understanding, who will build a temple for the Lord.'” 2 Chronicles 2:1-6,11-12

Solomon had been given a holy charge by God and his father David, and armed with determination, divine discretion, and wisdom, set out to serve His master’s will. King Hiram of Tyre, friend of David, recognized God’s hand on his successor, and pronounced a remarkable blessing on him: God Almighty had placed him on the throne because He loved His people Israel. What an affirmation! What a high calling! (1 Chronicles 22:7-12; 28:10,20; 29:25; 2 Chronicles 1:7-12)

Among whom has God placed me because He loves them? What unique calling have I received to build for Him in a place of work or community, to exalt Him in a relationship or family or neighborhood, to enlist others to participate in kingdom matters? Do I humbly accept my status and position as subservient to the indescribable Sovereign, my role to lead in such a way as to lift high His name and honor? How well does my work pay Him homage and point others to His greatness?

“A charge to keep I have,
a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save,
and fit it for the sky.

To serve the present age,
my calling to fulfill,
O may it all my pow’rs engage
to do my Master’s will!

Arm me with watchful care
as in Thy sight to live,
and now Thy servant, Lord, prepare
a strict account to give!

Help me to watch and pray,
and still on Thee rely,
O let me not my trust betray,
but press to realms on high.”  ~Charles Wesley (1762)

Lord, help me accept every assignment from You as a privilege, and with vigor and excellence. May the way I serve You show others how much You love them.

“It displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord, is not this what I said..? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.’ And the Lord said, ‘Do you do well to be angry?’

“Jonah went out of the city and sat.. under [a booth] in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city. Now the Lord God appointed a plant,.. a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, ‘It is better for me to die than to live.’ But God said to Jonah, ‘Do you do well to be angry for the plant?’ And he said, ‘Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die.’ And the Lord said, ‘You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. Should not I pity Nineveh, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?’” Jonah 4:1-11

God has a way of asking questions that expose our hearts. Jonah’s anger was pinpointed because it was the root of his disobedience in rebelling against God’s command and running away in the first place. Anger that made him want to die, because he thought the Ninevites deserved no favor, and he deserved it all, was anger that must be reckoned with, and the Lord has His way of doing just that.

Jonah knew God’s irresistible mercy and love, but he did not like that the wicked Ninevites would be softened and brought to forgiveness by it. When God gave him relief from heat as he watched the heathen city, he began to think he had a right to that comfort. God’s questions implied that Jonah did not do well to reject His good and sovereign plans, question His judgment, or expect mercy when he was unwilling to extend it. What actually did well in the book of Jonah was not his attitude or manner with God, but the truth he proclaimed as it had its way in the city God pitied.

Do I do well to rejoice over the salvation of others, no matter what their past? Do I do well in aligning my allegiances and emotions with the Lord’s in His plans for His people? Do I do well in giving my all to serve His causes?

Lord God, You do all things well. Adjust my thinking and attitudes to be like Yours. (Mark 7:37; Philippians 2:1-8)

“Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were appointed to external duties for Israel, as officers and judges… King David appointed him and his brothers, to have the oversight of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of the Manassites for everything pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king… Over the king’s treasuries was Azmaveth the son of Adiel; and over the treasuries in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah; and over those who did the work of the field for tilling the soil was Ezri the son of Chelub; and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite. Over the olive and sycamore trees in the Shephelah was Baal-hanan the Gederite; and over the stores of oil was Joash. Over the herds that pastured in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite; over the herds in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai. Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. All these were stewards of King David’s property. Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, being a man of understanding and a scribe. He and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni attended the king’s sons. Ahithophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend... Joab was commander of the king’s army.” 1 Chronicles 26:29,32; 27:25-34

Supervising. Accounting. Tilling soil. Pruning and harvesting plants. Tending to sheep and camels. Giving counsel. Taking notes and managing correspondence. Being a friend. Developing military strategy and leading the army. God’s kingdom is big and requires much toil for His work to be done. As the divine Master, He names us each and designs our work for the smooth running of His affairs. He implements certain authorities in our lives to determine where we should be and what we should be doing, and it is our responsibility to fulfill that work His way.

 

At the start of the week, with the dawn of every new day, do I thoughtfully consult with my King and ask how He would have me plan? Do I remind myself I am steward of His property and calendar, and serve at His pleasure? Do I view my every job as on His agenda and time clock, to be accomplished for His intention? Am I committed to work with a whole heart and willing mind, with keen care and strength and courage? (1 Chronicles 28:1,4,9-10,20)

At times our jobs are especially difficult due to the prickle of thorny colleagues, the heat of required effort, the challenge of a new skill, or fear over another’s reaction or acceptance. But when we serve under the Lord’s rule, we can be confident in His presence, order, and the ultimate beauty of His result. He gives holy meaning to every errand, every hug, every meal prepared, bed made, message sent, lesson taught, assignment completed, budget balanced, project managed, paycheck earned. (1 Corinthians 14:33)

My King, may I do wholeheartedly all You assign, in Jesus’s name, with thanksgiving. May my affairs be one with Your plans. Yours is the kingdom and the glory, forever. (Matthew 6:13; Colossians 3:17,23)

“Now when David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.’ ..That same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, ‘Go and tell my servant David, “Thus says the Lord: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in. For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling. In all places where I have moved with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’ I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you.”‘” “You may not build a house for my name, for you are a man of war and have shed blood.” I Chronicles 17:1,3-8; 28:3

David was multi-talented, and wanted to do great things for God. Despite his many failings, he was a true “man after God’s heart,” and was zealous to honor Him in his military leadership, his writing, and his desire to build Him a permanent house where people could worship. But God said, you can’t do everything. He had a strategic and specific anointing on David for his place and time in Israel’s history, and for David to get distracted by another major project would deter his completing what God had for only him.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” It is important to discern where we are especially gifted and specifically called. When we have other worthwhile, even holy desires, we can put them into play by praying for others to come forward, by helping prepare those less experienced or needing encouragement for the good work. I may not be in charge of every project that moves me, but I can support its success by doing my part and project well. Had David not established Israel’s strength militarily, his son Solomon could not have enjoyed a peaceful kingdom where he had time to construct the temple. (1 Chronicles 22:6-11; Ephesians 2:10)

How am I, because of my upbringing, education, life experiences in family, work, and location, uniquely qualified in God’s service? Are there tasks and ministries where I eagerly jump in because there is a need, but expend energy the Lord intended I invest elsewhere? What roles do I take that could be filled by another less forthright in stepping up, but willing to begin serving and eager to exercise their gifts? Is there a situation where I can help another develop what God has called them to do?

Father, keep me wholehearted for You, and able to discern how You want me expending that heart. Direct my every yes and no to fulfill with excellence everything You call me to do, for Your glory and purposes.

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:27-36

Jesus’s “but” sets up the contradiction that is Christ-like love. It does not make sense, but it makes a difference, and brings eternal glory to the One Who is its Source. And isn’t this how the Christian is to be motivated in this world, to invest in what lasts forever? To do good for, to bless, and to pray for those who hate, curse, and abuse us seems nonsense, almost anathema, when we are in the center, which is our tendency to insist that we be. The greatest challenge to love is removing self from life’s pedestal and acknowledging Jesus on the throne. (Matthew 6:20)

Jesus’s offering of Himself for us was infinitely costly, and our offering of love to Him will be the same. But in His economy, the cost-benefit is beyond imagining because it is wondrous and eternal. The trouble for us is that we extend our love in measured doses, afraid to ‘run dry’ and unwilling to give beyond what we’ve allotted or what another will give in return. But Jesus said, there is no greater love than that we lay down our lives for our friends. Compared to laying down a whole life, what is an afternoon, a meal for companionship, my time for a conversation or an activity that is what someone else wants to do, foregoing my pleasure for another’s needs? (1 Chronicles 21:25; John 15:13)

To love the unlovable, to give to those who can never repay, to show what mercy looks like to those who have wronged us or someone else, to go out of our way to help the helpless and ungrateful, is how Jesus loves. He pursued us, the ungodly, and poured His saving love on and into us. His heart is now stamped in blood red on the rock that is our salvation, and being so loved, we must love His way. (Romans 5:5-8,10; Ephesians 2:1-5)

Lord, enlarge my heart for the beggar, the gruff, the antagonistic, to love them so well they see and love You.

 

 

“David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy. So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brothers Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari, their brothers, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; and with them their brothers of the second order, Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah… The singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were to sound bronze cymbals; Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were to play harps according to Alamoth; but Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead with lyres according to the Sheminith. Chenaniah, leader of the Levites in music, should direct the music, for he understood it… Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, should blow the trumpets before the ark of God…  So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-edom with rejoicing… All Israel brought [it] up with shouting, to the sound of the horn, trumpets, and cymbals, and made loud music on harps and lyres.” 1 Chronicles 15:16-22,24,28

“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” Psalm 95:1-3                

While God created all the different arts as expressions of His beauty, and He gifts people with specific talent for varying types, the one He expressly commands of everyone is singing and making music. It is telling here that when David led the procession carrying the ark, which represented the very presence of God, there was much gladness and song. (Exodus 31:2-5; 2 Chronicles 2:13-14)

All creation sings for joy with the calm or crash of waves, the click of crickets, the croak or cluck of frogs, the chirp or caw of birds. The LORD in our lives brings ineluctable joy. Our “joyful noise” need not be in perfect pitch or rhythm, and will not necessarily sound like another’s, but its source is God’s Spirit, joy’s endless fount that bubbles and spills out in musical expression. “Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Psalm 66:4; 87:7; Ephesians 5:18-20)

Am I bearing the ark into every day and situation? Regularly taking time to behold my Savior’s face, drawing from the well of my salvation, do my melodies reflect His grace and joy, my lyrics gratitude and praise? How readily am I making use of God’s personally-assigned instruments: my workplace, my neighborhood, my tasks and abilities, to sound forth His greatness? (Psalm 16:7-11; Isaiah 12:3)

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace.  

~ Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Amen.

 

“Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take with you words and return to the Lord; say to him, ‘Take away all iniquity.’ I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely… I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon; his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon. They shall…flourish like the grain;
they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon… From me comes your fruit.” “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance.” “They should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.” Hosea 14:1-2,4-8; Luke 3:3,8-9; Acts 26:20

God’s gracious call for us to return to Him from wherever and however we have strayed is laced with a promise so enticing, how can we resist? What iniquity could be so captivating that we would choose to continue in it over confessing it and receiving the Lord’s free and measureless love and all its fruit and fragrance? Of course, it is the nature of sin to blind and deceive us, and even to be pleasurable for a time before it bites, but the awaiting mercy of God beckons us to lay down its allured ultimate death for flourishing and pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11; Hebrews 11:25)

“ Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these… But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:19-26

Returning to the Lord with words is naming all our filth, our fakery, our flesh indulgences, and turning them in for fruitful replacement. When we drink in the dew of forgiveness, we practice kind words instead of criticism, patience over complaining, faithfulness instead of deceit, uplifting truth over degrading gossip and insult. We fall in stride with the Spirit and put down strong roots that bear lush, aromatic blossoms in the fertile ground He has restored. When our lives, with new power, so bloom, others are drawn to hear and see and smell and savor the Spirit of the Lord emanating from us.

Are there places of stumbling I have kept quiet or hidden from the God Who beckons me return? Or have I fallen into complacent barrenness with the generous promises He gives? What evidence is there that I have been redeemed?

Lord, You died so I could live for You. May I ever bear much fruit in keeping with the freedom You have, by your grace, lavished on me, so others may taste and see that You are good. (Psalm 34:8; John 15:16; 2 Corinthians 5:15)

“[David] appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the Lord, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel… ‘Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!’ So David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister regularly before the ark as each day required, and also Obed-edom and his sixty-eight brothers, while Obed-edom, the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah were to be gatekeepers. And he left Zadok the priest and his brothers the priests before the tabernacle of the Lord in the high place that was at Gibeon to offer burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offering regularly morning and evening, to do all that is written in the Law of the Lord that he commanded Israel. With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and expressly named to give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever. Heman and Jeduthun had trumpets and cymbals for the music and instruments for sacred song.” 1 Chronicles 16:4,34,37-42

Daily. As each day required. Regularly morning and evening. For life. The anointed privilege of being a priest carried with it ongoing responsibility, and here we see them faithfully, joyfully fulfilling their duty. There are times in Scriptures when priests’ sacrifices came up empty before all-knowing God, and He condemned them because He knew their hearts were not sincere. “I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” But the role was always intended to be one of great joy, since the Lord’s steadfast love endures forever! (Hosea 6:6)

As the sea is constant in her rhythms, tides waxing and waning twice a day, month in, month out, the same, yet always different, so our God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, is alive bringing fresh mercies every morning. His deeds are wondrous, ongoing in accomplishing His divine purposes, always working for our good. This eternal never-changing God is worthy of praise that is earnest, fresh, present, and zealous. (Malachi 3:6; Lamentations 3:22-23; Romans 8:28; 12:11; Hebrews 13:8)

For us, has offering sacrifices of praise and substance to the Lord, whose steadfast loves endures forever, become old? Rote? Meaninglessly routine? If so, where have we slid into spiritual lethargy, to thoughtless repetition, or airy neglect? Has a slow slip into ease kept us off our knees, or our heads on the pillow? Hearts caught up in Him ignite souls that are captivated by Him. Eager eyes see His life showing forth different aspects of character and power and beauty, and we can daily sing a new song. (Psalm 96:1)

Would I awaken each day and choose to practice a regular habit of fresh praise? Will I trust Him for divine hunger, and exercise creative variety in worship to guard against empty words? Would I allow Him to identify new ‘sacrifices,’ new areas of my inner and visible life for offering? Routine need not be rote; it can be exhilarating and inspirational when it is a mode of thoughtful worship.

Worthy Father, let me never grow stale in joyful, regular worship. May I live in ongoing, vibrant praise.