As the rain and snow

“If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them,..  I will turn to you and make you fruitful and multiply you and will confirm my covenant with you… I will make my dwelling among you. And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves. And I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect.” “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.” Leviticus 26:3,9,11-13; Psalm 90:1

What a promise! The LORD on high, Covenant God, pledges to make His dwelling, His “tabernacle,” among His people, to be with them forever. This people, whom He had chosen and set apart, freed from slavery to be His, would never stand or fight or move alone; His presence would ever abide with them as their identity, their power, their shield, their guide. As He laid out their law and pledged to bring them into the promised land and settle them, this vow must have secured them with immense hope. Their God Who had been faithful thus far would be in the generations ahead. He would take up permanent residence in their midst.

 

And on this side of the cross, we carry the same but distinct promise: His Spirit resides in the temple of our bodies, our hearts, uniting us with Him mysteriously and forever. I love the thought of ‘hosting’ my Lord as my permanent houseguest resident, sometimes in conversation with me, sometimes quiet, always near. I can sense His Presence and movement even when I cannot see Him; I know His fragrance, His peace, His tender care, His awareness of all that goes on. He is always available, and always a gentleman. Wherever I am planted, He is here. (John 14:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19)

“A little Sanctuary art Thou to me! O Jesus, best beloved! I live with Thee: My heart is stilled beneath love’s canopy, Its sure abiding place where’er I am.
A little Sanctuary art Thou to me! My heart has found its everlasting home, The Holiest of All is opened wide, And I may enter and be satisfied.
A little Sanctuary art Thou to me! No fabled shrine, but deep reality! Thou saidst it should be so when at Thy call I rose and followed gladly, leaving all.
A little Sanctuary art Thou to me! All joyfully I pitch my tent with Thee; Or ready still to journey at Thy word– In Thee I live and move, most blessed Lord.”  ~ E. May Grimes

What difference is it making, day by day, that my Jesus dwells with me and I with Him? What evidence is there in my demeanor, my outlook, my expectations and desires that He is near, loving, speaking, counseling me? Are my words seasoned with grace because I have conversed with Him, my hands gentle and plans others-centered because He has held mine and energized them for His work?

Father, Dwelling Place, I rest in Thee. May the abode I prepare for You each day honor You and show forth Your glory. Thank You that because of Jesus, I will dwell in Your house forever. (Psalm 23:6)

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” “‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’” “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’—  yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Proverbs 27:1, Luke 12:19-20, James 4:13-14, Matthew 6:34.

Our Lord Jesus Who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, Who knows the beginning and the end of all things, has some good words for us about tomorrow: leave it. Do not boast about it, do not put too much stock in it, do not put off until it what needs be done today, do not so over-plan for it that you leave no room for God’s plans, and do not worry about it. (Hebrews 13:8)

And what are we to be about today? Jim Elliot said, “Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” We are called today to make the most of our time, bear fruit in every good work, build others up in the faith, gain a heart of wisdom so we can be wise toward outsiders and those who need advice and encouragement. We are not to grow weary in doing the good God planned for us and made us to do; we are not to be busy-bodies. While we are to have an eye for eternity as our hope, that eye to the future should not fear, fret, wander, or gloat, but focus on today that the Lord has given as His gift, in which to be glad and rejoice. We are to invest actively this day in loving, honoring, extending hospitality, praying, serving needs, and storing up not security and delights for tomorrow, but eternal treasures in heaven. (Psalm 90:12; 118:24; Matthew 6:19-20; Romans 12:9-13; Galatians 6:9; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 1:10; 4:5; 2 Thessalonians 3:11)

Am I making these my industry? Do I have a healthy view of tomorrow and a focused employment today? “Know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.” “Choose this day whom you will serve… as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” How willingly, energetically, zealously, am I putting my hands to work today for my Master? (Deuteronomy 4:39; Joshua 24:15; Romans 12:11)

Gracious all-knowing God, help me order my days aright, understanding the times and being fully present in the now for all You have for me. I trust in You, my times are in Your hands, and I offer my hands for Your honorable and glorious use. (1 Chronicles 12:32; Psalm 31:14-15; 50:23; Isaiah 33:6)

 

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil from beaten olives for the lamp, that a light may be kept burning regularly. Outside the veil of the testimony, in the tent of meeting, Aaron shall arrange it from evening to morning before the Lord regularly. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. He shall arrange the lamps on the lampstand of pure gold before the Lord regularly.'” Leviticus 24:1-4

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden… Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” “You shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life… in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation.” Matthew 5:14,16; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Philippians 2:15-16

I watched in sad horror at the images on the screen of the magnificent, centuries-old Notre Dame burning, stricken at the ruin of such a lovely masterpiece of sacred architecture, sadder still at the sense of worship lost to the burn of worldliness. When God instructed Moses to keep lamps burning continually in the tabernacle, He was reminding them that His constant flaming presence in their worship, their lives, required maintenance and commitment. Our LORD does not change in His holiness and glory, yet we can easily crowd Him out by building edifices to ourselves and other things we value more than Him, and His light gets snuffed out, the outstanding steeple rising high to the sky, pointing us to heaven, falls to get lost in the sea of our horizontal culture.

Many cathedrals today are hollow repositories for relics and wonder and tourist observation, but no true worship. Their lofty arches, domes, spires designed to raise our sights and affections, their very cross shape to unite us toward the altar, hold beauty that today feeds curiosity and spectating more than inspiring humility and gratitude. The spirit has burned out and vacated the premises, and we are left to bear God’s light. But that is a high and happy calling we should be eager to obey.

If God’s light has shone in my heart, giving me understanding and the joy of salvation, and my body is His temple, my assignment His ambassador, where and how am I shining? What holy light do I bring to conversation and deliberation, to the church on Sunday mornings, and the workplace during the week? Where am I being the church, the arms and hands of Christ, to my world, standing out like a steeple among low-faced living, limited aspirations, meaningless occupation of time? (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18,20)

Lord, as Your light-bearer, let me shine so bright that I bear Your flame in every room, connection, effort, and show You off. Keep my heart ever before Your altar, and Your light burning with Your glory in and through me wherever I am.

 

“You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God. Do not turn to idols: I am the Lord your God. When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings. You shall leave them for the poor and the sojourner: I am the Lord your God. You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. You shall not profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind: I am the Lord. You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer: I am the Lord. You shall not hate your brother, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the old man: I am the Lord. You shall do no wrong in measures of length or weight or quantity. You shall have just balances: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:2-4, 9-18, 32,35-36

God commands Moses to tell the Israelites to be holy, for the LORD their God is holy, then  proceeds to list an array of everyday situations that require holiness, each ending with “I am the LORD.” Hearing this refrain over and over plants its truth and truths deep in our motivations and psyche until it is obvious this remembrance is what God wants at the fore in how we see life and everything we do. Because I am Who I am, consider your work and others and station in life through the lens of my covenant relationship with you. I am the LORD. Be holy. Respect your parents, worship my way, treat others with generosity, equity, grace, respect, love… because I am the LORD. I am LORD over your parents, your devotion, your means of making a living, the poor among you, your tongue and hands, your judgment and conversations and relationships, your business dealings. Everything.

If God’s civil law included all these specifics, how are they translating to me and my everythings today? What difference would it make if when I first arise, I said, “You are the LORD,” and before I choose what to eat and what to read, “You are the LORD”? What might change if, when planning my schedule and contacts with others, and before I spend money and give advice, I said, “You are the LORD”? Not only will my focus and accountability be to Jesus rather than to self, but I will be reminded that He is the Sovereign in control and I am not. He is my Source and ‘raison d’etre.’ He is infinite, and all I plan and do is a drop in a bucket of His grand and providential scheme, all I determine myself is subservient to His good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

Father, may my ongoing refrain be “You are the LORD,” my highest aim be to make that obvious in everything I do. (Colossians 3:17)

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;..
the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward… Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:9-11,14

I memorized this familiar passage when I was a child, and have always loved the rhythm and cadence of the phrases describing God’s word, full of power and sweeter than honey. The Hebrews used to put a spot of honey on their children’s tongues as they learned the Torah, teaching them that the holy words were indeed a delight, sweet and to be savored. How fitting that the prayer at the end of this psalm asks for pleasing words from David’s mouth.

When we take delight in the word of God, we see, by understanding and application, that it revives, makes wise, rejoices our hearts, enlightens our eyes, and in its unshakeable truth and beauty and bounty is to be greatly desired. Could not my words, issuing from a heart soaked in His, minister the same to others? If God’s word is more valuable than gold and sweeter than honey, how do my words measure against them? Am I taking care to choose my words thoughtfully, to weigh them against truth, to filter them through sensitivity and grace, to pray for a guard over my lips and for meaningful responses? (Psalm 1:1-2; 39:1; 141:3)

What will it take to make my words sweet to the soul and healing to the body? When someone pours out their heart, have I steeped myself in God’s word enough to be able to discern with wisdom, and offer an appropriate reply, palpable comfort, hopeful promise, true truths that will make a difference? When I walk into a nest of buzzing gossip, or a mud-pit of coarse talk or profanity, do my words season with salt, preserving what is holy and retarding corruption? When murmuring, complaining, and catty criticism diminish others, what am I doing to reverse the destruction by building up? Am I quick to squelch meaningless or ungodly babbling by elevating the conversation? How well do I steer conversations away from superficial topics to significance? How rich is my storehouse of words, and what am I doing to fill it? (Proverbs 4:22; 16:24; Colossians 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:16)

Holy Father, Living Word, make my words gracious like Yours in the lives of others. Keep me soaking in Your word daily so when I open my mouth, You come out.

“For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.” “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” “If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.” Psalm 26:3; Lamentations 3:22-23; 2 Timothy 2:13

I noticed this morning the distinction between my faithfulness and God’s, as the psalmist’s commitment is to walk in that of the Lord, not his own. What does it mean to walk in God’s faithfulness? It means taking each step trusting His fidelity, not my own; walking in His keeping power, His steadfast love, His perseverance, His unchanging character, His constancy. It is not so much a determination to be and remain faithful myself, committed to a steady walk with Him, as it is to recognize and depend moment by moment on God’s faithfulness to me, to give light to my path, strength to my feet, clear vision to my mind, purpose to my ways. It is taking strides each day with growing faith, in freedom won for me on the cross, abundance of peace and joy He provides, and gladness that comes with knowing my Redeemer as my friend. (John 10:10; 15:14; 16:33; Psalm 16:11

“For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.” Psalm 108:4

There is something beautiful and greatly alluring about the unchanging character of my God. No matter my waffling in trust, my flakiness in behavior, my weak resolves and regretted words, He does not change, and He is good through and through. I count on my God this day, and every day, that He will be true to His character, He will keep His word, He will not fail me nor leave me, He will fulfill all He has determined for me. His word will be a lamp unto my feet, He will keep me from stumbling and provide the way out from temptation, He will guard my path. His faithfulness undergirds the way I think about myself and all I do with a sure foundation, an unshakeable hope, a significant purpose. If in Him I live and move and have my being, in Him I can surely walk anywhere with confidence and joy. (Joshua 23:14; Psalm 119:105; Jeremiah 29:11; Luke 24:44; Acts 17:28; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 13:5; Jude 1:24)

What field ripe for harvest, what request for counsel or help, what new challenge, what work has God put before me? If I step forward in His immeasurable faithfulness, I can trust that He Who calls me is faithful and will do it. This gives expectancy and zeal for opportunities He brings, and an excitement to look for them. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Lord, remind me that wherever I go, wherever You take me, it is in Your faithfulness that I walk. Keep me dedicated to doing just that, secure in You and with Your unchanging nature and glory in mind.

 

“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words. Let not your mouth lead you into sin… For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.” “The more words, the more vanity.” Ecclesiastes 5:1-3,6-7; 5:11

Every time I speak, I am not listening. Every time I speak, I make noise. There is much to be said for being quiet, slowing down, and remembering God is in heaven, I am on earth; He is God, I am not. He is worthy of my hush.

When the day begins, senses awaken and all sorts of things begin: thoughts of what is on the calendar, plans for work ahead; sounds inside and outside: media, motors, birds, cars, conversation; motion, much to see, to prepare, to adorn, to ingest, to decide. But I can still start each day ‘going to the house of God’ to listen, to hush, to respond in worship and trust, to position myself aright before Him. It is here, in the quiet, I set aside dreams and foolish inclinations, impulsive words and ideas and self-imposed sacrifices, and can learn to fear the Lord. This is where I take on Him, get dressed in Him, let His words soak in. The reverence instilled in the sanctuary makes all the difference when I step out into the world, guarding my soul and spirit with a hush of quiet confidence and my countenance with His grace and shine. (Numbers 6:25-26; Colossians 3:12-17)

What leads me to rash choices and talk? Where do I give in to emotional reactions, loose and “many” words? What steps need guarding along the way, what plans must I implement to spend quiet time in the sanctuary so I can exercise self-control and wisdom when faced with difficult situations or important decisions? “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” Do I entrust my will to His keeping? (Psalm 141:3)

Lord, hush my heart, hush my mouth, and keep me still before You, beholding Your power and glory so I know You better. I surrender to Your rule over my senses and Your sway over every moment, every day. (Psalm 46:10; 63:2)

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, 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, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” 2 Timothy 1:8-10,12-14

“The last enemy to be destroyed is death. ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:26,54-57

At this holy time of year, we are somber remembering the death of our Savior. I drive by a church with a shrouded cross, or see a crown of thorns, and am quieted, sobered, contemplating the suffering, the agony of body and spirit, the weight of sin my Redeemer bore, for me. But His death was not final. His time in the sealed grave assured all He was lifeless, and set the scene for Him to be raised to life and do away with death forever for those He came to save. His crucifixion and most glorious resurrection mysteriously and absolutely abolished death for those who believe. He is alive, and His victory is true!

This side of Calvary, I am left with a testimony and a holy calling, as was Paul. How does my life, how do my words, shine light on the death of death? What evidence do I bear of spiritual victory? I may speak of this beautiful truth, telling how Jesus’s death swallowed the ugliness and horror of sin’s consequences, how His resurrection assured victory over sin and life eternal for those who appropriate its work, but I can also exemplify this truth in how I behave. Jesus lives in me, and His presence gives power and victory in my choices to say no to sin, to speak blessing instead of cursing, encouragement instead of criticism, gratitude instead of complaining. He strengthens me to be occupied with meaningful, productive work that bears lasting fruit, that enriches others, that has a significant impact on my community and culture. His is the victory over impatience, greed, rudeness, pride. It is He Who sets my heart’s agenda to be God-directed and others-focused over self-rewarding.

Blessed Savior, You have put death to death. Hallelujah! May I daily put to death, in Your resurrection power, all that is opposite of You, and live unashamed, unstung by sin, manifesting Your grace and victory. (Romans 1:16; Colossians 3:5-10)

 

“[Do] nothing from partiality. Do not take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.” “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” 1 Timothy 5:21-22,24-25; Matthew 5:16

“Conspicuity: easily seen or noticed; readily visible or observable; attracting special attention, as by outstanding qualities or eccentricities; the property of being clearly discernible; the state or quality of being clear or bright; brightness.” 

Last evening I said something with an attitude and tone of voice I immediately wished I could retract. My defensiveness and sarcasm were conspicuous, and my spirit was stricken. (Thank You, Lord) I thought about what triggered me reaction, and recognized that just as I am bothered by the media’s seemingly uncanny ability to drive opinion and ‘hot talk,’ constantly teasing with tidbits of controversy, inflammatory behavior, any morsel that will keep people stirred up and talking and watching or listening, I had fallen into the same proclivity to jump in the ring and respond in kind. Is this what I want to stand out about me? What does God want? Certainly not this behavior, which becomes our second nature unless it is checked and bridled by a higher Master.

“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; lead me in your truth and teach me. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness.” Psalm 25:1-2,4-5,9-10

Paul alerts Timothy to the choice we have in our conspicuity; we will be known either for our sins, behavior that dishonors our Lord, or for good works, actions and words that not only honor Him but point others to Him. Every decision will steer us one way or the other. He has charged us to do good works that reflect His character and light in the world, and has prepared them beforehand for us to do, so it is vital we stay in tune with our Leader to know the good way and draw His strength to choose it. Seems simple, but in our culture of touchy contention and polarizing opinions and assertion of our ‘rights,’ and where many make themselves conspicuous through social media, crafting their identity through images and experiences. the flesh can win out if we are not vigilant to guard against it. How do I define myself? (Philippians 2:10,13)

Lord, You were always conspicuous in Your love, mercy, undivided attention to others, kindness, and manifestations of Your power– yet the attention You drew was always to the gospel message of salvation and to the glory of Your Father. May the way I live and serve draw attention to You also, that others know the true God and eternal life through You. (John 17:3-4,6,17)

 

 

“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:12-17

What Paul was, was bad. We first meet him in the Bible as Saul in Acts 7, giving approval to those stoning the godly, Spirit-filled Stephen as he preached the truth about Jesus. He harshly persecuted Christians, imprisoned them, raged against and threatened them, carrying out orders from the chief priests with fury and zeal. But then, he was drastically saved by the power of the Lord Who crashed into his rebel-against-God life. His running from God was halted and reversed, his spiritual blindness gave way to new spiritual sight. (Acts 7:58; 8:1; 9:9-19; 22:20; 26:10-11)

But Paul, forgiven and transformed by the Spirit, would never forget who he was without Christ. He taught, reasoned, and preached the gospel, he planted churches, effectively ministering to leaders and congregations and bearing much spiritual fruit, but his natural depravity was always fresh in his mind. This letter to Timothy is one of his last, written from prison after having walked with Jesus by faith for years, and still he calls himself the chief of sinners. Mercifully and wholly forgiven, Paul knew his appointment and calling came from God, and it was Him he desired to honor. He knew that against the shroud of his blasphemous past and his dark heart of flesh, in contrast to his insolence and ignorant unbelief, the grace and love of Jesus sparkled like a translucent gem, and he was delighted to give Him the glory.

When our early walk of dependent faith becomes a trot through complicated life, and the ride of time gets going, we may slide, even subconsciously, into living on auto-pilot, trusting our own inclinations, our ability to make decisions on the spot, to say and do the right thing. But it’s here self-effort blooms and a bit of self-credit and glory not belonging to us sneaks in. Beware! We must never forget our first love, and how He captivated us. We must always remember we were enemies of Christ, rescued by the grace of God for purposes and His glory alone. We must continually trust Him with all our heart, acknowledge Him in all our ways. Remembering who we were helps keep us grounded, and thankful. It also extricates pride and magnifies His grace and glory. (Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 42:8; Romans 5:6-8; Revelation 2:4)

May I, Lord, the foremost of sinners, ever hide behind You, the glorious King of the ages.