As the rain and snow

Isaiah 45 is a striking account of the sovereignty of God. At the end of chapter 44, King Cyrus of Persia is named as God’s instrument, “my shepherd, [who] shall fulfill my purpose.” He is the pagan king God used, after Persia defeated Babylon, to return His people to Jerusalem from their Babylonian exile.

“Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, ‘I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me. I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.'” Isaiah 45:1-7

It is easy to hear opinions, and come up with our own, about why the stock market or kings and kingdoms rise or fall, why treaties are crafted or broken, why populists are gaining traction, why economies grow or slow; but in the Bible the reason is clear: God is in charge. “I am the LORD, who does all these things.” “You are God the LORD, and there is no other.” “You speak the truth, and declare what is right.” All Your deeds reflect your orderly, powerful control, and work toward accomplishing Your ends, that we might learn to trace Your hand, understand Your ways, and know You.

Psalm 105 recounts God’s providential hand with Joseph, and Moses, fulfilling His “holy promises” to His people. “Great and amazing are your deeds, O God Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!” “I am God, and there is no other. My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.” (Revelations 15:3; Isaiah 46:9-11)

King of kings, You know the captivity, the waiting, the wrestling. You understand, allow, and even guide our strategies, preparations, initiatives, solutions. You perfectly orchestrate all circumstances to bring about Your good will. Turn anxiety and hypotheticals to glad surrender to Your sovereign, righteous rule, and align our most earnest efforts and striving with Your good, pleasing, and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

There is nothing like contemplating the distances of God to underscore the finiteness of man, and rouse our fitness in Him. “Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.” Revelation 13:10

Known since before creation– wondrous thought! Revelation 13:8 mentions the beast who had authority over “all whose name had not been written before the foundation of the world in the Lamb’s book of life.”  “My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139:15,16)

I bear my sin no more! “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” (Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 43:25)

His love is measureless! “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him.” “[I pray] that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.” (Psalm 103:11; Ephesians 3:17-19)

He is with us everywhere and forever! “If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.” “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Psalm 139:9-10; Matthew 28:20)

“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.” These truths are enough to bolster endurance and faith, no matter what. (Psalm 139:6)

Lord, You have gone the distance for me, to the Cross.  May I in faith endure, and go the distance for You. 

“I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other.” “I will not share my glory with anyone else (yield my glory to another).” Isaiah 42:8; 48:11

The jockey who rode Justify to Triple Crown fame at Belmont, when interviewed about the race, said, “First and foremost, I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for the blessing of this wonderful day…” All else paled. Having just made history, his first ‘glory,’ was to God.

God has called some to be jockeys, some preachers, some businesspeople, nurses, good neighbors, servers, ministry leaders, care givers, authors, architects, teachers, public servants–and for all, there is a “first and foremost.” For me, will it be my occupation? My education or credentials? My activity or accomplishments or experiences? My children, or grandchildren? When jobs are completed, events are over, finished lines are crossed, tasks are checked off, who receives credit? “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 3:17)

“To our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:14

O God, when others meet me, hear me, see me, read my words, may my life say, “First and foremost, Jesus.”

I met a woman recently and in getting to know her, asked how she came to know Jesus. She was raised in Switzerland, in the church, but it was after moving to the states, marrying and raising twins, that she met a young mother strolling twins in her neighborhood. “She had a light, a peace, that I had never seen, and I wanted. We struck up a friendship, she invited me into her home and shared with me about Jesus and what He had done for me.” Jesus’s light, through this ‘willing vessel,’ warmed my new friend’s heart, and Jesus drew her irresistibly to Himself.

“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 Christ.” O, what light He shines, warming and drawing our hearts to faith! “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” “You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father, who is in heaven.”  “Do all things…that you may be children of God without blemish in a warped and crooked generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (like stars in the sky) as you hold firmly to (holding out) the word of life.” In Judges 7, the Israelites went to battle with torches in pots, and simultaneously broke them open, the fire blazing fear into the enemies so they were humbled and overcome. The light of truth and life is powerful! (2 Corinthians 4:6-7; Matthew 5:14,16; Philippians 2:15-16)

I am Your vessel, Lord God, a jar of clay, with Your light my great treasure. Burn bright; crack me, break me, use me to shine Your light in this dark world, that others are drawn irresistibly to You.

A beautiful portrait of friendship emanates from Exodus 17. Moses is under it as leader of 2 million murmuring whiners, and his inner circle comes through. His understudy and assistant, Joshua, takes command of the men to fight Amalek, and as Moses wearies, holding up God’s staff over the battle, his brother Aaron, and Hur, climb to the top of the hill with him, move a stone for him to sit on, and, one on each side, hold up his hands for him.  “So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.” 

I had several conversations this week with friends where we shared heartaches, grave concerns over health and loved ones, ministry and relationship challenges; where feedback, encouragement, and advice were asked for, given, and received; where we prayed together over imminent needs and longer-term concerns; where we talked through how to think rightly and biblically on specific situations; where we told of God’s faithfulness and grace, stirring in one another gratitude and wonder; where just hearing the other’s voice was a balm in Gilead.

How sweet the gift of friendship! Of others who go to battle with and for us, exercising gifts we may lack, united in purpose. Of comrades who know or listen to our needs and come alongside, giving support, rest, companionship, help, correction, willing to be off-center as we complete our God-given tasks. Of those whom we trust enough we bare our fears and sin, that we might turn one another to Jesus and the truth; those who sharpen us, and stimulate greater faith that we might all grow wiser.

“I will look in favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.” “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise.” “Faithful are the wounds of a friend. The sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” “I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts.” Psalm 101:6; Proverbs 13:20; 27:6,9,17; Psalm 119:63

Thank You, Lord, for those You have brought alongside to minister to me, and for those I’ve been privileged to love and serve. May I be ever eager to make new friends, and love the old ones well. Keep me willing and able to hold the sword, the staff, and the hand–at Your bidding.

 

In Isaiah 36-37, the Rabshakeh, a high-ranking military official of the Assyrian king, advanced with a great army to taunt and intimidate King Hezekiah. His staff took the threat directly to their sovereign. “As soon as Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself in sackcloth and went into the house of the LORD.” He sent for Isaiah to ask him to pray also, then ‘spread the messengers’ letter before the LORD.’

When Nehemiah faced relentless opposition while rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, again and again he turned to the Lord in prayer. “Now, O God, strengthen my hands.” (Nehemiah 6:9)

In Psalm 73, when Asaph “almost stumbled” in envy of the arrogant, angry at the prosperity of the wicked, their “strutting tongue,” and flippant disregard of God, and their seemed ease in their riches and pride although they took advantage of others, he, too, went directly to the LORD. “But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.”

Where do I go when under attack, overwhelmed, confused, righteously angry, in need? Bombarded with many choices at our fingertips– to connect with someone right away, to complain to others, to ‘get this off my chest,’ to research or begin acting on a ready solution– it can be easy at first impulse not to bend the knee. I heard years ago, “Go to the throne, not the phone.” How prudent this is still today.

Whether we face fear over a diagnosis, threat of division in a relationship, frustration at injustice, or conviction over a paralyzing habit or an ungodly attitude toward another, we can always find solace, counsel, clarity, strength, grace, at the Lord’s feet. The all-sufficient God Who is enthroned above the cherubim hears, and sees, and awaits our pleas.

Lord, may I always, ‘with confidence, draw near to Your throne of grace, that I may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’ (Hebrews 4:16)

When I was young, my great Uncle Ted had painted the ceiling of their Northwoods summer cottage deep blue, with glow-in-the-dark stars, exactly as the constellations, that shone on it at night. We children, including cousins and friends, would clamor over there for Aunt Nan’s tunnel-of-fudge cake and a lesson on the greatness of God as he read from Psalm 19 and Psalm 8. “The heavens declare your glory, and the skies proclaim the works of your hand.” “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” If we weren’t at their home, we were often lying on blankets out in the meadow watching the sky, brilliant with the swath of the Milky Way, punctuated every few minutes by shooting stars. There is nothing like night-sky-gazing to illuminate God’s power. 

“To whom will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created all these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one of them is missing.” “Can you bind the Pleides or loose the cords of Orion? Can you lead the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children?” “In him all things were created. In him all things hold together.” Isaiah 40:25-26; Job 38:31; Colossians 1:16,17

This God, Who determined the number of the stars and gave to all of them their names, know our names, and cares for us. He Who has held these constellations in place since setting them there, meets us in our weakness. He graciously humbles us by His majesty, and then upholds us, sustaining His people with His strong arm, His mighty hand, His abiding power. (Psalm 147:4)

Isaiah 40 finishes the passage on the stars with, “The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall be faint and weary, and young men shall fall exhausted, but they who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

You, Lord Jesus Christ, know our fainting hearts, our weary faith, our waning strength, and You will sustain us to the end. May I daily wait on You and walk in your power, for Your glory. (1 Corinthians 1:8)

“You shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on your doorposts and on your gates. Be careful to do all this commandment that I command you to do, loving the LORD your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him.” Deuteronomy 11:18-20,22

I watched a rather plain sky this morning, carbon turning milky, with a few charcoal flecks. The longer I gazed, the more splendor shone. As the sun climbed its way toward the horizon, it painted the splotches deep pink, and what had seemed uninteresting was now captivating, causing my spirit to soar, my bland heart suddenly lost in wonder, love and praise.

Looking into God’s word offers a similar experience: spending time there turns reading words into understanding meaning, beholding the revealing. The light of living truth blazes in to flood the inner recesses of the heart, to inform all aspects of the mind, to penetrate our worst hidden proclivities. “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

We have easy access at all times to man’s word: “breaking news” that someone else has decided is urgent, pop-up ads with suggestions for my purchase or listening pleasure, teasers for more and varied versions of what is supposed to interest me, a constant clamor of opinion and chatter and did-you-hear?s and this-is-how-you-should-eat/raise your children/invest/look-and-feel younger/protect yourself/help society/vote. Making time in God’s word takes more effort, but enables us to assimilate all other input through the filter of God’s truth. In His light, we see light. There is no greater gift to give our children than laying up His word in their souls. (Psalm 36:4)

“Speak, O Lord, as we come to You to receive the food of Your holy word;                             Take Your truth, plant it deep in us, shape and fashion us in Your likeness,                                  That the light of Christ might be seen today in our acts of love and our deeds of faith;   Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us all Your purposes for Your glory.

Teach us, Lord, full obedience, holy reverence, true humility;                                                    Test our thoughts and our attitudes in the radiance of Your purity.                                    Cause our faith to rise and our eyes to see Your majestic love and authority,                     Words of power that can never fail, let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds, help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us;     Truths unchanged from the dawn of time that will echo down through eternity;                And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises, and by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us;    Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built and the earth is filled with Your glory.”                           –Keith Getty, Stuart Townsend 

Amen.

 

Having lost both parents, I have dealt with inheritances–meaningful, helpful, even useful  gifts left behind from one who has passed away. The Bible addresses them in the case of the Levites, and challenges where our true treasure lies.

“At that time, the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD to stand before the LORD to minister to him and to bless his name. Therefore, Levi has no portion or inheritance with his brothers. The LORD is his inheritance.” “In [Jesus] we have gained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will , so that we might be to the praise of his glory.” Deuteronomy 10:8-9; Ephesians 1:11-12

What does it mean that the LORD Himself is my inheritance? It means that He is of inestimable value, He is lasting while all else fades away, His presence is gloriously sufficient and always brings to remembrance His good nature and ways.

What does this mean for my day-to-day? Knowing that my inheritance in Him is imperishable, undefiled, unfading, my earthly perspective on work, effort, accumulation, even perceived security comes into focus. Whatever I do, whether in word or deed, I am to do in the name of the Lord Jesus, working heartily as for him and not for man, knowing that from the LORD I will receive the inheritance. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (1 Peter 1:4; Colossians 3:17,23-24; Matthew 6:19-21)

Lord, set my heart on You, my very great reward. Enlighten the eyes of my heart to know the riches of my glorious inheritance in the saints, that I might hold loosely the things of this world. You are enough, my dearest Treasure. (Genesis 15:1; Ephesians 1:18)

“Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,                                                                               Thou mine inheritance, now and always.                                                                                    Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,                                                                                        High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.”                                                                                  –Irish hymn, 8th century

 

I have just come through a six-week season where, over the last nine years, I have lost both parents, a brother-in-law, a close friend in ministry, a father-in-law, and a grandson. I have cleared out, packed, and moved 5 homes, three representing over 80 years of life and family. Poignant memories abound around these dates, which happened to coincide with a very dry season at home. Plants languish without rain, as does the heart without hope. But the faithful, great and awesome God in our midst promises renewal! (Deuteronomy 7:21)

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus. It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. Waters break forth from the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water. And the ransomed of the LORD shall come with singing; everlasting joy shall be on their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 35:1-2,6 -7,10

My father used to awaken us each Sunday morning with a cheery, “Rise and shine!” and I know my heavenly Father bids me the same. Indeed, “Weeping may tarry for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)

Father, thank You for death that brings resurrection, grief that brings comfort, brokenness that brings healing. Thank You for seasons of drought that make all the more glorious Your gifts of water and life. You alone slake the parched tongue. Whatever the heartache, Lord on high, may I arise, shine, for Your light has come! (Isaiah 60:1)