As the rain and snow

“At that time Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal, just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the people of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, ‘an altar of uncut stones, upon which no man has wielded an iron tool.’ And they offered on it burnt offerings to the Lord and sacrificed peace offerings.  And there, in the presence of the people of Israel, he wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written. And all Israel, sojourner as well as native born, with their elders and officers and their judges, stood on opposite sides of the ark before the Levitical priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, half of them in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded at the first, to bless the people of Israel. And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the sojourners who lived among them.” Joshua 8:30-35

Imagine the exhilaration and exhaustion of early days in the promised land. Israel had finally crossed over, conquering the first city, followed by defeat and judgment stemming from some of the people’s waylaid affections and priorities. Joshua could have cowered at the Lord’s wrath, or simply given in to exasperation with the fickle Israelites, but he knew God’s call and promises. He would take no credit for success because he knew the True Commander who’d led them there and secured their position. His heart was fixed, utterly dependent on his Lord and His word. He boldly kept Israel’s eyes on God, urging them in word and example to look to and live for Him. (Joshua 6:1-7; 7:1-4,16-21)

After victory we often crave rest. After upheaval we might collapse, or want to complain, or take some time to stew or regroup. After a harsh judgment from God we might lash out in anger, cower in fear, or timidly wait for next direction. Or, we can go to Jesus. We can continue in the call by making our way to the altar, a deliberate place of gratitude, surrender, recommitment, and praise. It is here we readjust and make sure we are aligned with His stated directions.

When we make the effort to praise God and acknowledge His hand and plan and promises, we can take no credit for success, nor responsibility for being an expert for what He gives us to do. By will and example we declare He is Lord, His word is supreme, and any favor or redemption or grace is His to bestow.

Where have I allowed circumstances to unsettle my plumb in Christ? Do I swing on a pendulum of emotional reactions, or in rhythm with truths found in His word? How will I establish, for myself and those I influence, God’s altar as foundation and focus?

Lord, You who are great above all gods and do all that You please. May I exalt Your renown throughout my days. (Psalm 135:3-6,8-13)

“Then I looked, and behold, on the expanse that was over the heads of the cherubim there appeared something like a sapphire, in appearance like a throne. He said to the man clothed in linen, ‘Go in among the whirling wheels underneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with burning coals from between the cherubim, and scatter them over the city.’

“And he went in before my eyes. Now the cherubim were standing on the south side of the house… and a cloud filled the inner court.  And the glory of the Lord went up from the cherub to the threshold of the house, and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the Lord.  And the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when he speaks...

“Then the glory of the Lord went out from the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim. And the cherubim lifted up their wings and mounted up from the earth before my eyes as they went out, with the wheels beside them. And they stood at the entrance of the east gate of the house of the Lord, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them.” Ezekiel 10:1-5,18-19

The prophet was locked into his heavenly call and intent on obedience. With everything going on about him, he looked, and that’s when he saw the supernatural visions God would reveal. It took will and focus, and the Lord who directed also delivered. (Ezekiel 9:4-11)

Our eyes are a miraculous creation in God’s design, opening us to the visual world and its myriad of colors, shapes, textures, dimension, movement, and innuendo. When we look carefully, we take in layers of information and meaning, often beholding exquisite beauties and alluring enticements that take our breath away. For those who can see, it’s hard to imagine life without this sense. For Christ’s adopted child, sight is enhanced by the Holy Spirit of God who alerts, teaches, and inspires.

The enemy would have us look at anything and anyone but Jesus and His work. He’d have us look into anything but His word. In order to understand what’s occurring today in God’s world our eyes must rise from distraction, turn from lesser things, and take on His vision. Are we aware how His glory has been lifted from peoples and institutions and much of the church? Do we see His heavenly glory in the providential mercies and divine judgments in the midst of cultural and worldwide bedlam? (2 Kings 6:15-17; Psalm 119:18)

And then I looked… where? At my phone? My inbox? Headlines? Needed maintenance, pile of work, enticing posts? What’s occupying my visual attention? Does the frenzy of circumstances cause me to look askance at my Lord? What will I determine to behold this day? What fray of distractions will I shut off or put down so I can see my Lord and His eternal work and glory clearly? In a world of flux, recognizing God and His activity secures us in hope. (Matthew 17:8; 2 Corinthians 4:18; Hebrews 12:2)

“Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus,
I’ve lost sight of all beside.” Mary D. James (1810-1883)

Lord, keep me intent on You and what You’re doing in the world so I think and pray and live and praise You aright.

“Certain of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me.  And the word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Should I indeed let myself be consulted by them?  Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Any one of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart and sets the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to the prophet, I the Lord will answer him as he comes with the multitude of his idols,  that I may lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel, who are all estranged from me through their idols.

“’Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations.  For any one of the house of Israel,.. who separates himself from me, taking his idols into his heart and putting the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to a prophet to consult me through him, I the Lord will answer him myself. And I will set my face against that man; I will make him a sign and a byword and cut him off from the midst of my people, and you shall know that I am the Lord…  that the house of Israel may no more go astray from me, nor defile themselves anymore with all their transgressions, but that they may be my people and I may be their God, declares the Lord God.” Ezekiel 14:1-8,11

The elders knew better, but crowded their inner space with selected gods. Perhaps to hear what they wanted directed or confirmed, perhaps to own control, perhaps to titillate their fancy, their foolish choices betrayed divided hearts, and the LORD would not have it. His word through Ezekiel held a mirror before their faces they could not avoid. They could not serve Him and idols. (Matthew 6:24)

And don’t we mess with the same thing? We snuggle close to God when life’s breezing along, when we feel cozy in His good graces. But the moment circumstances turn difficult or sour, or some nebulous but enticing attraction flitters by, we frolic away to test the competition and begin to collect idols. A new way of hearing from God. A new philosophy for relaxation and inner peace. A new culturally-coined mantra. A new activity that steals time from holy communion. Strange voices that deny the scriptures. We might try to keep open the line to the true God, but signals get confused with the multitude of messages.

How dare we think that we can profess loving God Almighty and coincidentally share sacred space with idols! God is King of kings and Lord of lords, and will share His glory with no other. With every intention to focus on Him our eyes shift side to side, unable to resist the frenetic tease of pesky gods. We must let them go for God to fully take hold. (Isaiah 42:8; Revelation 19:16)

Who and what have we assembled in our heart’s throne room? What idols of falsehood, temper-driven feelings, or outright lies do we foolishly consult and coddle? When will we repent and relent?

Lord, unite my heart to believe in and extol You alone. (Psalm 86:11)

“Boaz said to Ruth, ‘Listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.’ Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, ‘Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?’ Boaz answered her, ‘All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before.  The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!’  Then she said, ‘I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.'” Ruth 2:8-13

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Ruth, a young widow displaced (by choice) in a foreign land, set to industry by gleaning in her mother-in-law’s relative’s field. Moved by the heart of God, the owner brought this notable stranger palpable comfort in ways only his Lord would have known were meaningful. He noticed her hard work and kindness, and was attentive to the unusual faith she exhibited as a Moabite drawn to her husband’s family’s God. As God’s vessel of blessing to her, he provided for her practical needs with protection, ample sustenance, and specific instructions. (Ruth 1:1-18,22; 2:2-7)

We, too, can extend meaningful comfort to those among us. We likely live or work with people who are unsettled, lonely, lacking, or carry unspoken heartache. Keeping our ears and sensitivities open to the Lord and eyes open to individuals will direct us when and how to meet specific needs.

How intent are we on looking for opportunity to extend God’s comfort and blessing? Who is lonely in a new or strange place? Who needs to understand how things work, an unknown process or cultural distinction? Who is burdened by a troubled child, demanding family member, deep grief? What are we doing to supply for practical needs and palpable care among those in our family, church, or community?

How will we grant the favor and blessing of God on loved ones this day? How can we name the Lord and encourage people spiritually, bolster them in the truth of God’s promises, remind them of His attributes? A word of benediction and a moment of help are graces to bestow with joy. (Proverbs 10:21; 16:24)

Father, keep me keen to the plights of others, ready and generous always to comfort and bless for Your sake.

“God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.” Philippians 2:9

“I will thank you forever,
    because you have done it.
I will wait for your name, for it is good,
    in the presence of the godly.”

“O God, save me by your name,
    and vindicate me by your might…
 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;
    I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.” Psalm 52:9; 54:1,6

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
    the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10

Call on His name, look to His name, wait for His name, run to His name, hide in His name. Ah, that name above all names, in ancient Hebrew (YHWH) too holy to speak, is the sure and wholly other name we can count on and believe! God’s name is the embodiment of His being, His perfect character, the sum of His infinite and holy attributes. It is the name that saves and keeps and protects. It is in significance and identity and deed above every other, and it is at hand to God’s own. (John 17:11)

How well do we know God personally by His many names in scripture? Do we humbly marvel that He has revealed them and made available their power? Would we meditate on His names to Israel, marking them as we read and reciting them in prayer? Would we claim the ‘I ams’ of Jesus, and His many names described by His apostles, in song and application? Would we esteem His names daily in worship and work? Recalling and practicing their use for specific needs and praises will foster our familiarity with the One who draws us near. How are we welcoming and enabling God’s name to remain at hand? (Genesis 16:13; 22:14; John 6:35; 8:12; 10:11,14; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Hebrews 12:2; Revelation 19:16)

When we know Christ, having trusted His name and its power to cancel sin and seal us forever, how deliberately and steadfastly do we walk in it? Living and measuring our lives by and walking in rhythm with His name requires intentional commitment. Filled with the Spirit, by God’s strength, we get in step with Him, and our decisions and actions reflect His graces, wisdom, vision, and character. Is this our desire and determination? What hinders us, and what will we do about it? (Micah 4:5b; Zechariah 10:12; Galatians 5:16,22-23)

“O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread thro’ all the earth abroad
the honors of your name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease,
’tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’tis life and health and peace.

He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
he sets the prisoner free;
his blood can make the foulest clean;
his blood availed for me.

To God all glory, praise, and love
be now and ever given
by saints below and saints above,
the Church in earth and heaven.” ~Charles Wesley (1739)

Lord, may I treasure and exalt Your name above all others in thought, praise, and deed.

“‘Write this song and teach it to the people of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the people of Israel…’ Then Moses spoke the words of this song until they were finished, in the ears of all the assembly of Israel…

“Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak,
and let the earth hear the words of my mouth.
May my teaching drop as the rain,
my speech distill as the dew,
like gentle rain upon the tender grass,
and like showers upon the herb.
For I will proclaim the name of the Lord;
ascribe greatness to our God!

“The Rock, his work is perfect,
    for all his ways are justice.
A God of faithfulness and without iniquity,
    just and upright is he…
Is not he your father, who created you,
    who made you and established you?
Remember the days of old;
    consider the years of many generations…

“He found him in a desert land,
and in the howling waste of the wilderness;
he encircled him, he cared for him,
he kept him as the apple of his eye.
Like an eagle that stirs up its nest,
that flutters over its young,
spreading out its wings, catching them,
bearing them on its pinions,
the Lord alone guided him…
He made him ride on the high places of the land,
and he ate the produce of the field,
and he suckled him with honey out of the rock,
and oil out of the flinty rock.
Curds from the herd, and milk from the flock,..
with the very finest of the wheat—
and you drank foaming wine made from the blood of the grape.

“But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked;
    you grew fat, stout, and sleek;
then he forsook God who made him
    and scoffed at the Rock of his salvation.
They stirred him to jealousy with strange gods…
They sacrificed to demons that were no gods…
You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you,
    and you forgot the God who gave you birth...

“If they were wise, they would understand this;
they would discern their latter end!” Deuteronomy 31:19,30; 32:1-4,6b-7a,10-18,29

The Lord instructed Moses for Israel and us, to remember Who He was and always would be. This song would be oft repeated through generations, a testimony to the intimate loving grace and care of God for His beloved children and their idolatrous, hard hearts. It’s vital to spiritual wellbeing to recognize the contrast.

The air around us is filled with songs and jingles, some relished and repeated, some stuck as ear worms. How keen is our filter? What tweets and tunes hum in our heads? Whose voice, what social mantras have become our mental and verbal playlist? Do we intone we tirades or triumphs? If we regularly mimic others’ rants, syncopated sound bites, or off-color humor, how will we retune our hearts to a song of God-honoring testimony?

How redolent of Christ is my tongue? How will I begin to replace mad and melancholy with melodies, criticism with choruses of praise? What will I today recount of God’s manifold deeds with gratitude?

“We delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation.” ~ C. S. Lewis

“Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.” ~Frances Ridley Havergal (1874)

Amen!

“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28

“I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you… A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:15,34

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:5-7

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

“As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'” 1 Peter 1:15-16

Serve. Love. Welcome. Be kind. Forgive. As I have you. The scriptures present a high charge to God’s people: to walk as Jesus did while on earth. To be holy as He is holy. Walking in His steps, full of His Spirit and attitude and patience and zeal and joy, is not an easy calling for the flesh. Yet as the Lord commands, so He enables our obedience. Life this side of heaven is a process of His finishing what He began in us the moment of salvation. (2 Corinthians 1:21; Philippians 1:6; 1 John 2:6)

Ours is a determination to cooperate. To be as Christ is and do what He does we must watch and listen and follow in His steps, His direction, His pace, in His strength. Are we attuned? Are we intent?

How well are we attending to Jesus to familiarize ourselves with His pattern of thinking, His motivations, His manner of dealing with people and situations? When is our regular time to drink in His word and soak in its beautiful truths? What are we daily learning and putting into practice?

“Lord, speak to me that I may speak
In living echoes of your tone.
As you have sought, so let me seek
Your erring children, lost and lone.

Oh, lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wand’ring and the wav’ring feet.
Oh, feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Your hungry ones with manna sweet.

Oh, teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious truths which you impart.
And wing my words that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.

Oh, fill me with your fullness, Lord,
Until my very hearts o’erflows
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Your love to tell, your praise to show.

Oh, use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as you will, and when, and where
Until your blessed face I see,
Your rest, your joy, your glory share.” ~Frances Ridley Havergal (1872)

Lord, equip me with everything good for walking as You did, and work in and out of me all that pleases and reflects and glorifies You. (Hebrews 13:21)

“Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
    blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
    and cleanse me from my sin!..

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:1-2,7

“And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord God! Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it. Therefore you are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” 2 Samuel 7:20-22

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” 1 John 5:14-15

David knew his God. He communed with Him personally and often, pouring out fears and needs as well as gratitude and praise, all expressed in dependence on His name and attributes and highness. He’d known the blessings of living according to His prescribed ways, and the conviction of rebellion. So when he was overcome at his foolish fall with Bathsheba, he fled to the feet of his merciful, loving Lord. Only there he would find the cleansing he needed. He would forever be humbled by God’s grace. Living and pleading according to God’s Spirit and will yields freedom and fruit. (2 Samuel 11:1-27; 12:7-13)

In order to pray and live according to God’s character and will, we must know Him, His promises, and His design for man. He is gracious and merciful, abounding in love and faithfulness. It is not good that man be alone. God is a God of order, not chaos. The Lord provides a way of escape in every temptation. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and He gives wisdom generously to all who ask. The scriptures are full of descriptions of His attributes and declarations of His promises and plans. When we stake our living and our asking on these truths, much is accomplished. (Genesis 2:18; Psalm 32:8; 103:1-8; Proverbs 9:10; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 14:33; James 1:5)

Do I set about my days mapped out by my schedule? How stubborn am I regarding my desire and will? What am I doing to align my dreams and decisions with the Lord’s as revealed in His word? How well do I know the way God works, and what He promises HIs children? How confidently do I pray, in His name and according to His Spirit, for provision of a specific guidance or suitable spouse? For a clear way forward, or out of an errant inclination? For strength to stand, and a disposition to bow? Our Father delights to help us do all according to Him. (John 14:13-14)

Lord, may I think, desire, and live according to Your grace, truth, and Spirit so You are magnified.

“Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called… until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,..—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:6-12,14-19

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

Paul, having known the taste of earthly advantage, found focus and treasure transformed along with his salvation. All he’d considered gain was now loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Only Jesus, and remaining in the flow of His will and word, gave contentment and caused his heart to swell in praise. (Philippians 3:7-8)

As creatures here below, it is easy to get caught up in procuring, maintaining, and parading the gains of this world. We need, we deserve, we go after, we get. But gains quickly wane, the goal is reset, and new wants beckon. It is a fruitless exercise to keep adding to temporal gain.

The riches we own in Christ are without trouble and beyond measure. They were procured by Christ’s blood, infinitely costly yet free. They afford present satisfaction, lead to eternal life, and can be shared. How are we taking hold, and spreading our treasure? What do our daily efforts tell about which gain we pursue? (Matthew 6:21; Ephesians 1:3)

“My worth is not in what I own,
Not in the strength of flesh and bone,
But in the costly wounds of love
At the cross.

My worth is not in skill or name,
In win or lose, in pride or shame,
But in the blood of Christ that flowed
At the cross.

As summer flowers we fade and die,
Fame, youth and beauty hurry by,
But life eternal calls to us
At the cross.

I will not boast in wealth or might,
Or human wisdom’s fleeting light,
But I will boast in knowing Christ
At the cross.

I rejoice in my Redeemer
Greatest Treasure,
Wellspring of my soul
I will trust in Him, no other.
My soul is satisfied in Him alone.” ~Keith and Kristyn Getty, Graham Kendrick (2014)

Lord, fix my treasure in heaven and my heart’s desire on You, my wellspring.

“He brought me to the entrance of the court, and… there was a hole in the wall. He said to me, ‘Son of man, dig in the wall.’ So I dug and there was an entrance. And he said, ‘Go in, and see the vile abominations that they are committing here.’ So I went in and saw. There, engraved on the wall all around, was every form of creeping things and loathsome beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel. And before them stood seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel… Each had his censer in his hand, and the smoke of the cloud of incense went up. Then he said to me, ‘Have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark, each in his room of pictures? For they say, “The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land…” You will see still greater abominations that they commit…’

“At the entrance of the temple… were about twenty-five men, with their backs to the temple, and their faces toward the east, worshiping the sun… ‘Have you seen this? Is it too light a thing for the house of Judah to commit the abominations that they commit here, that they should fill the land with violence and provoke me still further to anger?’” Ezekiel 8:7-13,16-17

Ezekiel’s position as a prophet exposed him to the grit of reality present and future. As the Lord would give him strong messages for Israel, He first exposed him to the horrors and depravity of their practices. No secret was unseen before the omniscient Almighty, and His holiness required that He hold them to account. If it was difficult for Ezekiel to pronounce God’s wrathful judgment, he certainly knew it was justified. (Ezekiel 7:27; Galatians 6:7)

While we might cringe at the audacity of the Israelites in their vile abominations and blatant idolatry, our hearts and minds are not far unlike theirs. We, too, are prone to the prurient and salacious, drawn to titillating gossip and idols of notoriety and stuff and success. Creeping things and loathsome beasts can take their form in any earthly beauty, vacuous cultural addictions, or virtual temptations that capture our affection.

That they would carry these atrocities into the temple seems especially repulsive, yet we saunter into worship with pompous attitudes, infected grudges, and gross unconfessed sin we’ve justified, blamed, or tucked away as secret. The Lord sees, knows, and wants to undo and exchange and reform and redeem. His judgments are sure but redemptive, just as the cross was cruel and ugly yet made the way for us to be clean. Horrid sin requires horrid accounting, but our gracious Lord took that upon Himself so we could be set free. Alleluia! (Psalm 51:6; John 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

What ungodly thoughts meandering in our minds need God’s light? Have they made their way to callous language or unkindness? What sinful habits have so rotted our consciences that we accept them as the norm? Where do we compare our lax morality with the laxer of others, and foolishly deem ourselves superior and acceptable? Are we convicted by a Spirit-given gift of shame intended to lead us to repentance? What will we do about it? (Romans 2:1-11)

Lord, infuse my secret places with your light and bring me out to live fully in Your holy light, for Your honor and glory. (1 John 1:7-9)