As the rain and snow

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.  Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” Matthew 24:36-46

God’s measure of days is on a transcendent timetable, in an otherworldly realm unknown by men. Occupied, unaware, heads down, they rise eat work sleep in circadian rhythm, while the Lord on High unfolds His predetermined history according to His perfect providence. In the meshing in between in life here below, God calls His people to continual faithfulness.

Stay awake. Be ready. Be faithful and wise. Keep serving. Stay filled. Keep watch. Work, invest, and multiply. The Lord addresses man going about what man does, yet only some will be prepared. Attentiveness to duty must include attentiveness to Him, which marks our living and doing with heavenly hope. We are stewards of His talents, resources, and time, called to do all for Him and His glory. With day and hour of His return unknown, we plow ahead, keep grinding and building for the One who is known. (Matthew 25:4,13-17,20-22,40,45; Colossians 3:23-24)

Where has the Lord called us to build in preparation for His return? How are we investing to make room for the salvation of others, or to feed them practically and spiritually? Are we to teach? Connect with and engage the curious? Practice hospitality? Care for the needy? (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

“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 day by day to heed Your call, with Your focus, in Your strength, for Your glory.

“The cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry,.. and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody…

“When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled.  So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, ‘Why are your faces downcast today?’” Genesis 40:1-4,6-7

“Their speech and their deeds are against the Lord,
    defying his glorious presence.

For the look on their faces bears witness against them;..
    they do not hide it.” Isaiah 3:8-9

“In the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes.., I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. And the king said to me, ‘Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.’” Nehemiah 2:1-2

“A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
    but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed…

The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
    and good news refreshes the bones.” Proverbs 15:13,30

“As in water face reflects face,
    so the heart of man reflects the man.” Proverbs 27:19

Clouds pock the calm ocean with their morning reflections, spilling the light of lofty grandeur below. Unreachable contours become places to touch and dip as they condescend to the here and now of the shore. Their message, be it fleeting beauty or turbulent storm, is offered to the wayfarer, the wonderer, the watching.

And so our lives and faces reflect the light of grace or gloom, revealing the state of our souls. We can radiate hope or hunger, peace or pain. God gives man expression to communicate, and we have a bearing on the message we portray. When we see the influence of both behavior and countenance, are we not compelled to be filled with God’s Spirit to convey the best and most glorious of His abiding presence?

What kind of shadows do we spread, and what do they reflect of our Lord? How often does unhealthy interest in or brooding hurt over a situation disrupt peace and stain our interactions with ugliness or angst? Simmering resentment and anger will give off steam or spill over, dampening or burning those near us and clouding their view of grace. Do we berate and complain and leave rude shadows of discontent, discomfort, or sadness wherever we go?

There is another kind of shadow we can leave when we’re absorbed in Christ. We can hover over the needy and infuse the atmosphere with hope. We can pray for the hurting and sprinkle contagious jewels of love and care. We can create or point out beauty in the Word or world. With what mark, what reflection of God’s compassion, splendor, and kindness, can we bless another today? How will we, by word or action, lift the countenance of those the Lord has put in our path?

Lord, fill my life with your light, that I would leave cloud shadows that gleam goodness, hope, and love every day of my life.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are… Beloved, we are God’s children, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure…

“No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

“We should love one another…  We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers… 

“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth…

“This is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God… God is love…

“By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit… We love because he first loved us…  Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” 1 John 3:1-3,9-11,14,16-18,23; 4:7,11,13,19,21b

John, one whom Jesus loved, knew what it was to be transformed by love. This powerful force issuing from the Savior made him a child of God and planted in him a reality not before known. The proof of the Almighty’s affection on him was his reoriented life that served and obeyed Christ. (Mark 1:19-20; John 13:23; 19:25-27)

When we are loved and saved by God we are marked by that love forever. His abiding presence evokes new loves in us that issue forth in love for others that is not natural, but sacrificial. His love on us also instigates struggle against and hatred from world who rejects Christ’s love. Where the Lord is, the enemy resists or fights- there is no happy cohabitation. But there is no such thing as facile or static love in God’s economy. By faith, this tension prompts us to press on in obedience to His commands because He is the One we aim to please. What strength of love do we show? (1 John 2:15-17; 3:13; 1 John 5:2–4; 2 John 6)

What evidence do our interactions, work, and service give to the power of Christ’s love in us? How has His love softened our compassion, fortified resolve, sweetened the atmosphere of home and workplace? How might our attitudes, words, and actions among those we know better identify Him, and what will we do about it? What kind of love would we have the Lord newly develop in us, starting today?

Lord, may my life and loves be vibrant proof of Your gracious love for me, to Your glory and praise.

“Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.  He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, ‘Stand upright on your feet.’ And he sprang up and began walking. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, ‘The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!’ Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.  And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, ‘Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.  In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.’ Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.” Acts 14:8-18

An impossible situation, a loud voice, an astounding healing. A lifelong cripple walking was all the impetus needed to bring the spiritually confused to confused and frenzied worship of men they thought gods. Vanity promotes irrationality that affects every sense and impulse. If only they’d turn to the living God for healing of the heart…

Man was made to worship, but sin mismanages his methods. Vain is the one who makes gods in his image, who pays homage to gods who pay homage to his desires. This is the indelible plight of sinners, bent since Eden on the lusts of eye and flesh and pride, save for Christ. Idol worshipers destine themselves to remain spiritual cripples, unable to walk by truth and faith. Wound up in reverence of power, control, and high human thought, they fail to recognize when the Divine breaks through to initiate real life. (Genesis 3:1-6)

Where are we confusing things of vanity with true substance? Where are we living in vain for things of the world rather than embracing real life for vital faith and eternal communion with the Lord? Are there areas of our day to days we’ve secreted onto pedestals out of the Spirit’s reach, pet affections or ambitions we’ve guarded as sacred, never to be touched or altered? Would we ask God for new eyes to recognize the idols we’ve made and worship, and renounce them once for all? Only in surrendering false gods will we come to know the real God, and only He is worthy of allegiance and honor.

Lord, wrench from my heart all that is vain and replace it with vital, vibrant worship of You, the Living God who alone is worthy.

“Again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, “Tell those who are invited, ‘See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.’” But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, “The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.” And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.

“’But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment.  And he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.'” Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus’s parable invited RSVPs to faith, understanding, and surrender. When the king issued summonses for his wedding feast, a celebration of joy-filled covenant commitment, responses betrayed the human condition. Though lavish inclusion was offered, individuals turned it down for busyness, industry, and ambition. Some hard-hearteds rejected with such vehement hatred they extinguished the well-meaning messengers. Squelching the offerer obliterated their responsibility, or so they thought. But turning down the king’s invitation brought eternal regret none could reverse, closing the door to forever communion.

There are a variety of times we shrug off God’s invitations. Daily He beckons us come near to commune with Him, and we find more pressing things to fill our time and attention. In our churches, He presents opportunities to serve Him by serving others, yet we prefer to manage our margins and keep measured our contributions. At work and in our communities, He bids us get involved in His kingdom work, yet we eschew the commitment required. He offers to come alongside, inspire, enable, and refine, but we choose to guard tightly-held agendas and comfort. Even at home, where He invites us to intimacy and edification, we can procrastinate, or let down our guard, or resist substance and fellowship for personal ease, not valuing the feast He’s prepared.

How do I respond to divine invitations? They come as a quickening of the Spirit, a conviction, a pull at the heart, or an obvious opportunity. They might present as an interruption, or a brash command breaking into our quiet status-quo. Can we answer with no regrets?

Where are we resisting God’s voice, doing anything to eliminate accountability? What will we change, eliminate, or do in order to listen more keenly and obey more quickly?

Father, help me accept Your invitations with ready response so Your work is furthered and Your name is honored.

“Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ‘Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.^‘ And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.'” Genesis 9:8-16

Though He knew that the intention of man’s heart was evil from his youth and all the time, God in mercy made His covenant of salvation with man His beloved. Never again would His world and people be ruined with such destruction as the widespread flood. The crown of His creation would always be the apple of His eye, held in everlasting love and grace. Following the flood of horror and sorrow, and hope, God welcomed Noah into his everlasting safe harbor of salvation. (Genesis 1:26-28; 6:5-7)

The Eternal God and Potentate of Time speaks and stands behind promises that span everlasting. His words pledged thousands of years ago are ours to savor and find security in today. We can trust His nevers as much as His forevers. Never again will we slip under judgment or condemnation because of His sacrifice paid once for all and forever on the cross. Never will He leave or forsake us because He has bound us to Himself in an eternal covenant. No one can ever snatch us from His hand since we are inextricably, everlastingly His children. (Deuteronomy 31:6; John 10:28-29; Romans 8:1; Hebrews 7:27; 1 John 5:20)

We may live in shaky times, but need not quake in fear or fretting, doubt or condemnation. What causes our faith to teeter, our minds to swim and nearly drown in what-if disasters? Where do shame or regret taunt us to forget God’s forgiveness? Will we trust Him to keep His word to protect and redeem? The everlasting God sets His rainbow of divine love over us each day and holds us secure forever.

“Crown him the Lord of years,
the potentate of time,
creator of the rolling spheres,
ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
for thou hast died for me;
thy praise shall never, never fail
throughout eternity.” ~Matthew Bridges (1851)

Lord, help me hold fast to Your promises, never to doubt and always to praise Your everlasting word and character.

“All the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel.  So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month.  And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.  And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand.  And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen,’ lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.  Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places.  They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.” Nehemiah 8:1-8

The people gathered, eager to hear. Ezra read the Law to all who understood. His colleagues flanked him in support. The Levites helped those hungry to make sense of what they heard. All the people blessed the Lord in assent, joy, and humble worship. Attentiveness to God’s irresistible, powerful word evoked natural, unstoppable responses because that word never returns void. (Isaiah 55:10-11)

The word of God is that, a word that beckons, instructs, and necessarily calls for action. It is living, powerful, and effective to move mind, heart, and will. It exposes sin, convicts the conscience, and evokes surrender. It reminds, goads, inspires. How and where are we exposed to its enlightening, corrective, and redemptive light? (Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Timothy 3:16)

What part will I play in attentiveness to God’s word? When do I regularly study it, or take in another’s teaching? How do I respond to its revelations of my Sovereign, and my own heart? How readily do I heed His warnings, instructions, and invitations? How do I support church leaders and preachers by prayer, practical engagement, generosity, encouragement, and selfless obedience? (2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 13:17)

With whom am I rightly handling the word by wise instruction and thoughtful modeling, helping them understand its meaning and implement application? What new order, direction, and joy has exposure to God’s life-giving Word brought to my life, and how will I express that and advocate for it in others today? How has growing knowledge of God’s word enlarged my thanksgiving, enriched my praise, broadened my outreach? (Nehemiah 8:9-12,17-18; 9:2-6,17-21)

Lord, make all of me attentive to take in, understand, live out, and pass on Your Word, so You are known and magnified.

“The men set out.., and they looked down toward Sodom. Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised. Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry…’

“The men turned… toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord.., drew near and said,’ Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you… not spare it for the fifty..? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked..! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?^‘ The Lord said, ‘If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.’” Genesis 18:16-26

Abraham had been promised a whole nation as heirs from his body with his wife Sarah, yet many miles and decades had passed with no pregnancy. In the course of waiting, now with a set birth time revealed, he is taken into God’s confidence to be taught righteousness and justice that God intended he teach his future offspring. His Lord was training him to esteem and uphold holiness while exercising mercy, not to flirt with or tolerate evil as he led and shaped God’s people. No waiting should be static. All lessons can at some time be applied. (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:5-6; 17:1-2,15-16; 18:14)

The longer we wait on God and the more intent we are to watch and learn His ways, the more impressionable and lasting the lessons we learn. God unfolds history and fulfills promises as He pleases. Coincidentally, through our days, He teaches us how to live presently and what we need to embrace the future. How thoroughly do we take advantage of examples and instruction as we await next steps? (Psalm 27:14)

What can we count on as true in a changing culture and as we age? What are we investing to know and prepare for God’s promises? If we anticipate a move, challenges with work or health, evolving family dynamics or a new service for the Lord, how well do we know God’s viewpoint and practices for those situations? When do we thoughtfully take time to study His Word and ways with men? Do we regularly seek His wisdom in prayer, then practice what He teaches until it becomes second nature? What prudent determination or commitments could we make now so we’ll be wise when we’re called upon to make decisions or act?

Lord, teach me the manners and ways of heaven, so I can live them out here on earth as I prepare to meet You face-to-face. (1 John 3:2)

“Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it:

“These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his town. They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah.

“The number of the men of the people of Israel: the sons of Parosh, 2,172. The sons of Shephatiah, 372. The sons of Arah, 652. The sons of Pahath-moab, namely the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818. The sons of Elam, 1,254.  The sons of Zattu, 845. The sons of Zaccai, 760.  The sons of Binnui, 648.  The sons of Bebai, 628.  The sons of Azgad, 2,322.  The sons of Adonikam, 667.  The sons of Bigvai, 2,067.  The sons of Adin, 655.  The sons of Ater, namely of Hezekiah, 98.” Nehemiah 7:5-21

Nehemiah was a high capacity leader who tended to details both spiritual and practical. Persevering, with prayer, through antagonism and tempted discouragement, he finished rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall and set the gates and guards in place. But projects did not preempt people, and the returning exiles the Lord brought back were to be counted and named. (2 Timothy 2:19)

God of the nations is also God of individuals. He sets His love on us, calling us by name to save us from spiritual exile and slavery to sin. He delivers us from strange affections and false gods. He redeems us from shame behind which we want to hide. He restores our souls. (Isaiah 43:1)

Yet, we can fall into Satan’s trap of deeming ourselves unworthy, unloved, unredeemable. The distance we’ve kept in our heart seems a chasm too great to bridge. We feel isolated, stained, and constantly put ourselves down. When we fail to recognize the love of Christ and to esteem the price He paid to save us, we dishonor His grace.

Do we fall into a drear of being insignificant or unknown? Do we wonder how we can make a difference? We must choose to live in the truth that if we are saved, the Lord God not only knows us by name, but delights in us and involves Himself in sanctifying us day by day. He is intimately interested in all that concerns us, and actively conforms us to His glorious design. Would we take hope in this impetus for joy? Can we delight in our Savior as He does in us? Will we thank Him for his knowledge of everything about us that combines with unconditional love and lavish grace? (Psalm 138:8; Zephaniah 3:17)

And who else has He called to Himself that we could make feel significant? How can we invest ourselves in the lives and stories of others God has put in our path? How might we- with a word, a smile, an hour- bless, encourage, and affirm another of eternal value whom God has named?

Lord, may I bear and value Your name above all, and so love others that they know and honor You. (Psalm 138:2)

“And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night…

“And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and officials and the rest of the people, ‘Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes… God will fight for us.’ So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out.”

“I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials… I said, ‘The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?..’ 

“From the time that I was appointed to be their governor.., neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor… I did not do so, because of the fear of God. I also persevered in the work on this wall.” Nehemiah 4:8-9,14,20b-21a; 5:6-7a,9,14b-16

Nehemiah knew and feared his Lord, staking both drive and dependence on God’s sovereign plan and care. His impetus to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem persisted through opposition because of his passion for God and His honor. His assessments, planning, strategy, perseverance, and treatment of others were all rooted in reverence for and confidence in the Almighty he sought to obey. He proved that the fear of God has great impact on the direction, decisions, and doing in His children’s lives. (Nehemiah 1:3-6; 2:17-20)

The fear of God causes us to pause rather than panic, and seek Him for the way forward. It is the defense against worry at bad news, and the ground of dependence each step forward. It guards our hearts, steels our resolve, and guides our minds. (Psalm 112:6-7; Proverbs 9:10; Philippians 4:6-7)

The fear of God keeps us focused in any work. It ensures that efforts are spent for the good of others and glory of God rather than for personal accomplishment or accolades. It reminds us of our ends and whose honor is at stake.

The fear of God loosens our hold on things of this earth. It keeps warm the heart and reasonable our decisions about what’s at our disposal. It moves us to compassion and generosity, exchanging personal rights for honorable, equitable, and benevolent treatment of others.

The fear of God keeps us going through hard times and pesky deterrents. It reinforces determination and clarifies opportunities to trust. It is a healthy, trustworthy foundation, and a banner of witness that points others to notice Him.

In what situations at work or service are we peppered with confusion? What plots of suspicion, angst, or resentment work against our relationships? How do we respond to temptations to special treatment, or the unjust treatment of others? Where do we secure our hope, wisdom, fortitude, and direction? The world offers many voices and choices, but rooting ourselves in the fear of God keeps us steady.

Father, forge my will and ways in genuine, joyful fear of You, for Your glory.