As the rain and snow

“Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest. [He] decided to restore the house of the Lord. So the king commanded, and they made a chest and set it outside the gate of the house of the Lord. [They] collected money in abundance.  And the king and Jehoiada gave it to those who had charge of the work of the house of the Lord, and they hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of the Lord, and also workers in iron and bronze to repair the house of the Lord. So those who were engaged in the work labored, and the repairing went forward in their hands, and they restored the house of God to its proper condition and strengthened it. And when they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, and with it were made utensils for the house of the Lord, both for the service and for the burnt offerings, and dishes for incense and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the Lord regularly all the days of Jehoiada.” 2 Chronicles 24:2,4,8,11-14

Joash was remarkable in that as a very young man, whose wicked father king Ahaziah and treacherous grandmother Athaliah had led Judah astray, he became king, and with the godly counsel of the priest Jehoida, led Judah in restoring God’s temple and practices. Jehoida had prepared his way by strong reform and spiritual cleansing, removing the idols and places of temptation and establishing a covenant to be the LORD’s people and guard His house from all that was unclean. Now Joash led the collection of temple tax and repairing of the building itself, and reinstitution of proper services and offerings. Sadly, it seems his energy was directed to the work and the person guiding him, not the Lord Himself; after Jehoida died, Joash gave in to the secular princes of Judah and their politically correct, spiritually-wishy-washy advice to institute false religious practices once again. He who had begun so well did not finish so. Though God sent warning, he not only forsook the LORD, but “did not remember the kindness that Jehoiada, Zechariah’s father, had shown him, but killed his son” by having him stoned.

To what, or whom, am I devoted? Has my resolution list, my work, the project itself, or even my counselor become my driver, my guide, my source of direction? If I am wholeheartedly committed to anything or anyone apart from the Living Word, the True and Good Shepherd, Who knows my name and leads me to His pastures and abundant life, I am in danger of going astray. Following Him and His voice that is truth, I can know where He leads and what He directs. His Spirit gives discernment, and is dependable. (John 1:1; 10:3-4,10-11,14,27)

Gracious Shepherd and King, sharpen my ears to listen to Your voice alone and heed all You say. Show me where I have been committed to causes and spokespeople other than Christ, and realign my affections and devotion to wholehearted fidelity to You. Guard me from refusing to pay attention, turning a stubborn shoulder, hardening my heart, and stopping my ears to Your perfect and complete word. Keep me from all foreign allegiances. As You inspire good beginnings, see them through to glorious finish. (Zechariah 7:11-13)

“He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.’ So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, ‘He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.’ And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house.'” “Whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 19:1-9; Matthew 23:12

When Jesus entered his world, Zaccheus, rich tax collector who skimmed his profits from everyone who paid taxes and took every advantage he could to pad his purse, realized he was small. Quickened by an unseen force, he was compelled to see Jesus. Note the words used to describe his actions: “ran ahead, climbed… hurried,” all because he recognized he was small in stature. And Jesus was equally compelled to be with this man whose large influence of fear and reputation of exploitation shrank before Him. His “I must” was a divine appointment, an effective call to the little man.

And it is so for all who humble themselves before Him. Sometimes we have to climb up out of our puffery and self-sufficiency and -absorption to see Jesus for Who He is. Once we invite Him in and entertain Him, He changes us. He gives new affections as He unbinds the old, He transforms our language and motivations and desires. When we are small before Him, He enlarges our hearts for His ways and our consequent influence for His kingdom. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” James 4:7

Lord Jesus, keep me small, ever aware of Your greatness. Transform my understanding of myself, my purpose, my resources through my encounters with You, that I be smitten with You only, and live fully for You. May we with holy joy, pure, and free from sin’s alloy, all our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King. (W. Chatterton Dix, 1861)

“For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.” “Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.” “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is thehead, into Christ.” Proverbs 16:20,28 ; 1 Timothy 5:13; Ephesians 4:15

Amy Carmichael, missionary to Dohnavur, India in the first half of the twentieth century, trained her orphanage mission workers in the use of their tongues: “Never about, always to.” What misunderstandings, regret, and hurt could be avoided if we followed her advice! In the workplace, within a family, among friends or neighbors, when our talk is ‘about,’ often there is no solution, but only a riling up of negative opinions and criticism or a fostering of unflattering, degrading talk. It has been said, “gossip is confessing another’s sins behind their back.” Many reputations have been stained by quick slips of the tongue, mentions ‘about’ others, even hearsay, that plant a seed in the imagination that grows a life of its own, especially if it is repeated again.

What compels us to speak ‘about’ others instead of ‘to’ them? Do I fear direct confrontation or conversation because I might be proved wrong? Do I want to be sought out as the know-it-all dispenser of information, elevating self at another’s expense? Is there an undercurrent of wanting people on my side, and pitting them against others’? Am I entertaining a superior attitude over those I deem somehow “less,”? Seldom do we regret being silent.

In God’s economy, the only side we are on is His. Speaking ‘to’ allows honest discussion from both parties with respect, and the chance to learn from body language and express palpable compassion and love. Speaking directly with the offender or offended brings understanding and opens the way for forgiveness, repair of  broken communication or hurt feelings. It also necessitates my humble preparation of my own heart so I can face up to my part in any disagreement or miscommunication. “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5)

Lord God, guard my tongue, and the heart that fuels it! May I courageously say no to talking about those not present, and yes to speaking to any I should address. Please purify my words that they edify others and bring glory to You. (Luke 6:45)

 

“After this the Moabites and Ammonites came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD. And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, and said, ‘O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? We are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.’

“[Jahaziel] said, ‘Thus says the Lord to you, “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them… You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf.” Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.’

“Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the LORD. And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed… And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.” 2 Chronicles 20:1,3-7,12,15-18,20,22,29

Facing a formidable enemy, King Jehoshaphat humbled himself to face his even more formidable God. Exalting Him, and recounting His past faithfulness, the king leads his people to release their fear and foe to the Ruler of all nations. God responded immediately through His prophet, and reassured, they rose early and expectant, the army perched to watch what their LORD would do. Not only did He rout the foe, but He gave them tremendous plunder and gladness.

When we turn our eyes from the enemy to the One Who can vanquish him, trembling becomes trust. The worst news or diagnosis, the hottest temptation, the deepest heartache, pale in the brilliance of God’s shining face; He gives the strength to stand firm. Even when acquaintances or co-workers taunt, or rebellious children wound or prickly relatives chafe, God can win over our hearts so we can meet them with peaceful countenance and inner joy. When at once we release, we can begin to rejoice–the battle is His!

LORD of all, when enemies in the shape of people, fears, gnawing sin, the fingers of despair loom large, captivate me with You. In Your grace, open my hands to release these to You, and my will to choose to rejoice in the One larger and stronger than every foe. May I ever “give thanks to You, LORD, for Your steadfast love endures forever.” (21)

“Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be healed?’ The sick man answered him, ‘Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.’  Jesus said to him, ‘Get up, take up your bed, and walk.’ And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.” John 5:2-9

Thirty-eight years is an eternity for one who cannot move well, and the lovely Bethesda pool had become an easy home. When Jesus approached him, He knew the man’s condition: physical incapacity as well as his attitude of blaming others for his condition, or at least any improvement to his situation. Jesus’ question is interesting, “Do you want to be healed?” He was touching on this man’s will, his ‘want-to,’ and was eliciting a heart response. Still lame through and through, the invalid answered, “woe is me,” “I can’t,” “I try but others prevent me,” all ruses his long hours on the ground had convinced him were true. But when Jesus appeared, bringing a sweep of mercy and spiritual awakening that only He can do, everything changed. Once He had the man’s attention, it was game on. In a word, He required the man to get up, pick up (to get rid of) his old enabler mat, and walk in new life. His healing manifested itself when the patient responded to His call.

Isn’t it the human tendency to wallow in discomfort or misfortune and blame others for my grievances? ‘If he wasn’t so difficult I could be happier;’ ‘If she were more supportive, I could be more effective;’ ‘I was made this way.’ Are we content to be spiritually complacent? Do we find an odd comfort in staying like we are, rather than risking a fresh and better attitude, new and healthier habits? Have we held bitterness so long we are strangely afraid to let it go, fearful at what God might want to do in restoring us? Do we resist His redemption of the heart because we are reluctant to surrender temporal pleasures? Do I chafe at having Him remake my identity, separate from my sin or pain?

Lord, may I never delight in misery over the joy You intend for me. Break in to the infirmities of my heart, dissolve my resistances, and turn my face to Your merciful eyes. Bid me rise from old ways of thinking and behaving that are numb to Your power, that I may walk in Your glorious strength and purposes. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

“Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’ And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.  And one of the elders said to me, ‘Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’ And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb…

“And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb… And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.’

“Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!’ And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’” Revelation 5:1-14

Unfinished plans, unmet longing, disappointment, in the human experience can bring weeping of soul. “He has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” We groan in misunderstanding, lack of context, limited perspective, seeing in a mirror dimly. The yearning God places inside us that in this world is unsatisfied reminds us we were made for something higher, better, eternal. John’s vision here shows the swallowing up of his sorrow by a glorious host of worshipers, consumed in praise to the victorious Lion of Judah seen as the worthy Lamb. (Ecclesiastes 3:11; Romans 8:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13:12)

In our confusion, our heartbreak, our grief at lost loved ones and broken relationships and lives, do we hear the call? Weep no more! Behold the Lamb! He bore the brokenness, the sorrow, the emptiness, the painful fallout from all our sin on the cross and ransomed us! He conquered death and reigns over all that has been and is and ever will be! He is worthy to receive all glory and honor and blessing and praise!

Oh Lord, lift my eyes from all that pulls downward to behold You, the Lamb that was slain and is seated alive on the throne. “Finish then Thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be. Let us see Thy great salvation perfectly restored in Thee. Changed from glory into glory, till in heav’n we take our place, till we cast our crowns before Thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise.” (Charles Wesley, 1747)

“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” “For you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.” “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”  “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” “In your light do we see light.” Genesis 1:3; Malachi 4:2; John 1:4-5; 8:12; Psalm 36:9 

God Who created light sent the Light of the world into the world at Christmas, as the Son of God, Son of man. His very presence in our lives ministers light to us. He rises with healing of our sin problem, our broken bodies and relationships and dreams. He floods our dark places of soul and misunderstanding and resentment, and dispels despair and doubt. He illumines the unknown that lies ahead, where we fear to walk or discover, by walking before us; and He shines into our hearts by His Spirit and word to reveal the places He wants to redeem and strengthen and transform. How can we not thank Him for this gift of light? How can we not open all windows and doors to let Him flood in?

“Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.  ~John Wesley (1739)

Light of light, You are joy to the world! Break forth in Your glorious array! Please speak Your light into me this day and fill me with all that it brings: hope, peace, gladness. Spill over wherever I go and with whomever I am so they see Your blazing love and are drawn irresistibly to You.

“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the LORD said to Satan, ‘The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you!’ Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, ‘Remove the filthy garments from him.’ And to him he said, ‘Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.’ And I said, ‘Let them put a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments.” “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.” “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Zechariah 3:1-5; Isaiah 61:10; Matthew 1:21

Zechariah gives a vivid picture of one of God’s own and the daily battle of spiritual forces. Satan, named “the Accuser,” never relents from his modus operandi, yet our Savior rebukes him and wins. He is the glorious One Whose very “blood and righteousness my beauty are, my glorious dress.”*  Indeed, Jesus came to save, to bring salvation, to change our clothes from filthy garments to robes of righteousness, pure and clean. What a Savior!

This day, as I go into the world and face spiritual forces of evil that tempt, deceive and accuse from every angle, prodding me to discontent, irritation, comparisons, fears, insecurities, lust of flesh and eyes, selfish independence, I have the LORD Who wards off the enemy and reminds me He has clothed me anew. This Christmas, as I gather with loved ones who can tug at many heart strings, I am robed in my Redeemer. Jesus came that we might wear His clothes always, putting off the old patterns and default reactions and confidently, joyfully putting on, “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.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

“Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.” ~Charles Wesley (1739)  

Glorious Savior, adorn me in Your Christmas clothes– the humility of the manger, the holy light of the newborn King, the immeasurable love of my Savior Who came to lay down His life for sinners. Fit them perfectly to all of me, help me to wear them well so “‘midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, with joy shall I lift up my head,”* and others be blessed.

*Nicolaus Ludwig, Graf von Zinzendorf (1739)

“I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst. He who touches you touches the apple of his eye. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord. And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.” Zechariah 2:5,8,10-11

What a comforting, exhilarating , hopeful message to the exiles returning from Babylon! Their uncontainable city would not be measurable, they would need no physical barrier to protect them; God would shield them as the treasured apple of His eye and be a wall of fire around them as their shield. And He would abide with them forever as the flaming, glorious power in their midst! What a promise!

What does God’s glory in our midst mean for us? He is our Bread of Life Who satisfies and Living Water when I thirst. He is present always in wisdom, light, truth, and resurrection power. He loves us as the Good Shepherd, leading and caring for us by name; He is our joy and abundant life. He is the Vine to Whom we are inextricably attached and through Whom we bear fruit that brings Him glory. He shines for us and in us, manifesting Himself through all we are and do in generous love, compassion, joyful countenance, long-suffering, gentleness, peace. What a Savior! When my heart prepares Him room, He invades, takes over, and is my very fullness of life and glory! (John 4:14;6:35;7:37-38;8:12;10:10-11,14;11:25;15:5,8)

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing! He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love.”  ~Isaac Watts (1719)

All praise to You, Immanuel. You have come to us to abide with us, God with us forever. May Your glory and fire in my midst draw others to Your irresistible light.

“Jesus left Judea and departed again for Galilee. And he had to pass through Samaria. So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink.’ (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?’ (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)  Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink,” you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water. Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’ The woman said to him, ‘Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.’” John 4:3-10,13-15

Samaritans were religious half-breeds, from earlier times those who mixed the worship of true God with that of other gods, and to the Jews, they were unclean–they would walk around Samaria to avoid contact with them to reach a destination. But Jesus “had to pass through Samaria.” His agenda was so different from those around Him that it did not submit to their norms or prejudices. His holy compulsion was to do His Father’s will; He had come to seek and to save the lost, to call sinners to Himself, and He had a divine appointment with the woman at the well. Through loving, gracious conversation that revealed Jesus’s omniscience and awakened her spiritual thirst and faith, the outcast woman came to believe He was the Christ. (John 4:25-26,28-29,39-42; 6:38; Luke 19:10; Matthew 9:13)

Do I begin my days with holy compulsion? What are the motivations that drive my agenda? Who writes the items on my to-do list, who names those I am to love and serve? Where am I avoiding the uncomfortable when it might be exactly where God is calling me? Do I fear exposure or contamination or criticism or even fatigue more than I fear disobeying the One Who sends me? His pathway may be uncomfortable, risky, frightening; He may not reveal the whole process or the end of the story, but He Who assigns me tasks is He Who is good in His plans and Who enables me to obey in His strength; He Who begins a work is He Who finishes it. His ends are redemptive and altogether holy–why would I not heed His voice? (Philippians 1:6; 4:13)

Lord, teach me Your ways, lead me on Your paths. May I hasten and not delay to go where You call, even if it means laying aside my own preferences and preconceptions. May Your holy compulsion lead me every step of every day. (Psalm 25:4; 119:60,66)