As the rain and snow

“Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
    sing to his name, for it is pleasant!
For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself,
    Israel as his own possession.

For I know that the Lord is great,
    and that our Lord is above all gods.
Whatever the Lord pleases, he does,
    in heaven and on earth,
    in the seas and all deeps.
He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth,
    who makes lightnings for the rain
    and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
    both of man and of beast;
who in your midst, O Egypt,
    sent signs and wonders
    against Pharaoh and all his servants;
who struck down many nations
    and killed mighty kings,
Sihon, king of the Amorites,
    and Og, king of Bashan,
    and all the kingdoms of Canaan,
and gave their land as a heritage,
    a heritage to his people Israel.”

“It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
and rescued us from our foes,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 135:3-12; 136:23-24

Kings, nations, seas, storms, wilderness, salvation. The Lord owns and rules all, and does whatever He pleases with all He has made. He is not stingy nor capricious, casual or uncaring, but always intentional with holy purpose and end in mind. God is benevolent, working power over kingdoms and peoples, mercy in storms, grace in wilderness, supply from His storehouses. He is above all gods and personally keeps and guards His children. Indeed, He is worthy to be praised! (Psalm 138:6-8)

While God does all He pleases for kingdom reasons and His name’s sake, we in the flesh prefer life as we please. We awaken each day pondering how our hours can serve our pleasure. As much as we’re able, we choose how to spend our (God-given) money and time, we please ourselves with food and drink and entertainment, we make plans and involve ourselves in ways pleasant to us. Often, this bent takes no thought for our Maker.

What God pleases magnifies His goodness and name. What God pleases nurtures and protects His own. What God pleases displays His wonders abroad so many can behold His power, loveliness, and generosity. What God pleases executes justice and fulfills His word and displays magnanimously His steadfast love. What if I aligned my pleasure with His?

What if I began each day by singing His praise and asking the benediction of His pleasant name on my agenda? How can my posture and plans exalt His goodness and character? What about my work, my words and interactions, my ministry among others can reflect His excellence, love, and grace? How can I adjust my efforts to promote spiritual wisdom, divine justice, the guarding of His church and building up of His people? To whom can I and will I, out of gratitude for His merciful condescension to me, offer the gift of His promises and heritage? Delighting ourselves in the Lord conforms the desires of our heart to His. And practicing what He pleases brings Him glory. (Psalm 37:4)

Lord, may I daily consider Your goodness and holy ends so I live for Your pleasure and praise alone.

“Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come near to me, please.’ And they came near. And he said, ‘I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, “Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry. You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, and your flocks, your herds, and all that you have.  There I will provide for you, for there are yet five years of famine to come, so that you and your household, and all that you have, do not come to poverty.”’

“Joseph said to them, ‘Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” Genesis 45:4-11; 50:19-21

We don’t know exactly how God worked in Joseph’s heart, but we know that He did. The carefree eleventh son of Jacob, who was mercilessly mistreated by his brothers, grew deep in faith through his suffering and testifies to the blessed solace of knowing the Lord is sovereign. They may have sent and meant for one thing, but it was God whose ways were accomplished. And those were good. (Genesis 37:3-28;36; Proverbs 19:21)

Whatever the storm, for a child of God we can know He has sent us, and find great comfort in His presence there. Betrayal, supercilious treatment, or cruelty cannot intrude on His steadfast love for us. No attack penetrates His defense of us. When peppered with doubts about the motives of rivals, or the possibilities of what could happen, we can be assured that no reason or what-ifs can prevail against the purposes of the Almighty. (Proverbs 21:30; Mark 6:45-51; Romans 8:31-39)

What do we fear? Where do we fret? Only when we stew in pondering others’ whats and whys do we get so riled. Focusing on the difficulty of our circumstances or offenses we think someone may have intended, we take our eyes off the One who’s promised to work all things for our good if we love Him. (Romans 8:28)

Would we stop nursing hurts and instead work for healing? Would we choose balm over blame? What expectancy, peace, and gratitude might we enjoy if we accepted everything, even hardship, as coming from Him and existing for Him? (Romans 11:36)

Father, wherever You have sent me may I trust and praise Your name.

“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who made heaven and earth,
    the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
   who executes justice for the oppressed,
   who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free;
    the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
    the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the sojourners;
    he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
    but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.”

“The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
    he gathers the outcasts…
The Lord lifts up the humble.” Psalm 146:5-9; 147:2,6

“He raises up the poor from the dust;
    he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
    and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
    and on them he has set the world.” 1 Samuel 2:8

Strong and everlasting arms are capable of much heavy lifting. God Almighty’s righteous right hand is attached to an able arm that flows with blood pumping from His perfect heart. His passion for His people inaugurates actions that depict His constant love, gracious character, and infinite power. (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 136:12; Isaiah 40:10; 41:10; 59:1,16; 63:5)

Indeed, He is mighty to save, and fortify, and lead, and supply! We muscle our way into the daily fray of work and duty, capable and enough, until we are not. A failure, detour, emergency, or any unexpected can upend our progress and arrest confidence. The trial is an opportunity to test the real heavy lifter, and fly to His arms. Scurrying only left and right, we can miss Him who waits on high. Sing the song! Trust His arm! Remember He made all things and upholds them still! He rules with perfection and power! He who has led thus far will not abandon His own, but lead us on! (1 Chronicles 28:20; Isaiah 45:12-13; 48:13; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 1:16-17)

Are we relying on our own strength, or the Lord’s? Where do we stubbornly, pridefully insist on doing our own heavy lifting? What situations at work or home need His correcting or smoothing intervention? What inner struggles or affections need His cleansing and reordering? What messy relationships need to be raised to a higher plane of forgiveness or reconciliation? What discontent and griping needs elevating to gratitude?

“Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm does bind the restless wave,
Who bids the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep.” William Whiting (1860)

You uphold us in time of need
And love and comfort, calm and feed.
You turn our weeping to a song,
Your hand will right the darkest wrong.

You rule in hope for justice blessed
And peace on earth, eternal rest,
You lift the weary, tend the weak
And help us turn the other cheek.

When we know not which way to go,
Or how to fight against the foe
Your strong arm makes the tempest still,
Aligns us truly with Your will.

So help me trust Your scepter’s rule,
Your re-creator’s fashioning tool,
Lift my heart and like You make
All me and mine for Jesus’s sake. (PEB)

Lord, help me lean on and live out Your everlasting arms.

“Hear my prayer, O Lord;
    give ear to my pleas for mercy!..
for no one living is righteous before you.

For the enemy has pursued my soul;
    he has crushed my life to the ground;
    he has made me sit in darkness…
Therefore my spirit faints within me;
    my heart within me is appalled.

I remember the days of old;
    I meditate on all you have done;
    I ponder the work of your hands.
I stretch out my hands to you;
    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. 

Answer me quickly, O Lord!
    My spirit fails!..
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
    for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
    for to you I lift up my soul.

Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord!
    I have fled to you for refuge.
Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me
    on level ground!

For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life!
    In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!
In your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,
    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,
    for I am your servant.” Psalm 143:1-12

David comes to God in the desperation of a hunted soul. He acknowledges his unrighteousness before God and the enemy’s constant pursuit and crushing. His soul is fainting, thirsty, in need of revival he finds solely in this LORD, in this One who does ponderous things and is trustworthy and steadfast in love. He can reveal the right path, He will lead in righteousness and for His name’s sake. To Him only will the psalmist lift up his soul and find help.

Many are the aches and trials of the Christian’s soul. Pelted with doubts, teased with temptation, pestered with regrets, we languish. Rebuffed by colleagues, chafed by loved ones, challenged by setbacks, we are bruised. Longing for deliverance, craving intimacy, yearning for holiness, we pant. Morning by morning we need Him for the troubles and track of the day, and wondrously, remarkably, thankfully, He hears our pleas and answers. (Matthew 6:34)

When did we last take account of our soul? In the frenetic mental and physical press of routine, we seldom take pause to consider its state. Spiritual hunger is squelched by busy activity, bereft spirits ignored for urgent responsibilities. We think ourselves indispensable in tasks of the day and put off tending to the night of our deepest place.

But this is where teaching and trust is needful and applied. If we do not see it we will not seek it. If we neglect the deeper pondering and panting we destine ourselves to superficial living. What will it be?

Where stand our souls? Whom or what is our sole desire, that dictates whom we serve and to what we surrender? If we live honestly before Jesus, our souls will be secure in true refuge and rejoicing.

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)

I lift my soul to Thee, O Lord, that You might keep and shine forth Your word.

“After Joshua had dismissed the Israelites, they went to take possession of the land, each to their own inheritance. The people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel. Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten…

“After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the Lord’s anger because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.” Judges 2:6-13

“Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation… But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them... Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.” Exodus 1:6-8

“Remember the days of old;
    consider the generations long past.
Ask your father and he will tell you,
    your elders, and they will explain to you.” Deuteronomy 32:7

“We will not hide them from their descendants;
    we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
    his power, and the wonders he has done.” Psalm 78:4

In rear-view perspective, it puzzles us that after witnessing over generations the amazing hand of God in miraculous deliverance and fulfilling His marvelous promises to them that Israel would turn her back. Why would His people entertain other gods? How could their devotion be so weak, so fickle? Hadn’t He proved His love and care and power? How could they forget? Yet at some point, in some dreary way of the flesh, there arose a generation who did not know, who had not heard. The thrill had gradually waned, tarnished by troubles and fatigue. The vibrant joy and gratitude and expectancy had been day by day choked out by thorny cares and distractions. The message had diminished, quieted by more urgent speak. (Matthew 13:20-22)

While we might be critical and wonder why, we must realize it takes deliberation to maintain a heightened anticipation of the Lord. A message cannot be known and savored if it is never received, and it cannot be received without being told. What exactly do we intend to pass on to the generations that follow us? What do we deem most important?

It’s easy in a push me-pull-you culture to value what gets us ahead in this life, what brings public notice or temporal pleasure. We spend time and resources on things and experiences, we crowd the mind and spend the body on what does not last. How intentional are we throughout ordinary days to tell how God in His grace saved us, of times He protected, convicted, or directed us? We can pray for opportunity to speak His word and recount His deeds, then act boldly when He answers. How we treasure and handle truths of past and present will influence generations to come. What part will we play?

Lord, may I live gratefully and tell Your wondrous deeds to generations who need You, unto Your praise and glory. (Psalm 145:1-12)

“When they came to Geliloth in Canaan, the Reubenites, Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan… The whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them.

“So the Israelites sent Phinehas… [and] ten of the chief men, one from each of the tribes of Israel… to Gilead—to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh— They said to them..: ‘How could you break faith… like this? How could you turn away from the Lord and build yourselves an altar in rebellion against him?..  Are you now turning away from [him]?

“‘Do not rebel against the Lord or against us by building an altar for yourselves, other than the altar of the Lord our God…’ 

“Then Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh replied to the heads of the clans of Israel: ‘The Mighty One, God, the Lord! The Mighty One, God, the Lord! He knows! And let Israel know! If this has been in rebellion or disobedience to the Lord, do not spare us this day… 

“’We said, “Let us get ready and build an altar… to be a witness between us and you and the generations that follow, that we will worship the Lord at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings. Then in the future your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no share in the Lord…‘”

“’Far be it from us to rebel against the Lord and turn away from him today by building an altar… other than the altar of the Lord our God that stands before his tabernacle.’” Joshua 22:10,12-16,19b,21-22,26-27,29

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged… Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:1-3

The two and a half tribes had wanted their own way from the start, settling in land east of the Jordan. Though they’d fulfilled their pledge to help the rest of Israel take the promised land, their newly erected altar raised suspicion like its own imposing presence. Phineas set aside spontaneous conclusions to investigate and listen. (Numbers 32:1-7,16-23; Deuteronomy 3:18-20; Joshua 22:1-6)

When we consider ourselves more important than we are, think the worst of others, let zeal swell to unmanageable proportion, or bear grudges, we can react impulsively or wrongly to seemingly errant behavior. We cannot discern another’s motives, so as Jesus commands, we must not judge them. Maintaining a sober mindset keeps our responses reasonable and righteous. (Romans 12:3; Hebrews 12:5)

Where am I carrying a swagger of superiority, or jaded opinions due to past unforgiven hurts? Do I let a negative outlook or flagrant emotion dictate reactions? How quickly do I jump to conclusions without observing, inquiring, assessing?

Where do I need to pause and probe, first myself for my quick judgments, then with my sister or brother in Christ? How can I maintain a level head and so promote reasonable cooperation and peace in uncertain and potentially fiery situations? In my own opinions and actions, am I serving my emotions, my rights, my ego, or my Lord? (Joshua 24:14-15)

Lord, steep my mind and reasoning in Your truth, temper my emotions, and fill me with generous love and grace, so I treat others as You would, in Your honor.

“He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:3-4

“Do you not know? Do you not hear?
    Has it not been told you from the beginning?
    Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
    and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
    and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
who brings princes to nothing,
    and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness…

To whom then will you compare me,
    that I should be like him? says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high and see:
    who created 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 is missing…
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
    and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for 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.” Isaiah 40:21-23,25-26,28-31

In the rhythm of wake and sleep, do and rest, on and off, it is hard to imagine One who is ever vigilant, ever sustaining, ever awake and alert. Into our hectic cycles of push and pause, God’s voice resounds: Do you not know? He is actively in tune, intricately involved, always attuned and working and interceding. Have you not heard? He does not tire, or rest, or look away. This has always been true. We grow tired and weary, we faint and feel spent, but He lives as the everlasting, limitless God, ever present, full of power. (2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 34:15,17; 121:8; Isaiah 27:3; Romans 8:27; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 3:12a)

The Lord allows us to reach our limits, then invites us to look, listen, and understand His transcendence. He raises our sights above the circle of earth to consider the great beyond, founded on eternity, where He dwells. He waits to impart strength and hope and vigor.

Am I fatigued by responsibilities and pressures to the point of giving up? God is strong, and generous with might. Where do I faint in determination, inspiration, clarity of direction? With whom am I failing to fulfill my call to love, forgive, instruct, reconcile? The Lord supplies, matching every need with His heavenly riches, every command with ability. Do I constantly struggle to keep on with the Lord, instead preferring to go my own way and do my own thing? He who holds the stars can lift my eyes, revive my passion, renew my zeal. Am I willing to be made willing? (Philippians 1:6; 4:19; Titus 2:11-12; Hebrews 13:20-21)

Father, may I never weary in loving and serving and magnifying You, who reign forever in splendor, strength, wisdom, and glory.

“Give attention to the sound of my cry,
    my King and my God,
    for to you do I pray.
O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;..
    I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch...

I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
    will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple…
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness..;
    make your way straight before me.” Psalm 5:2-3,7-8

“By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,
    and at night his song is with me,
    a prayer to the God of my life.” Psalm 42:8

“O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me!
    Give ear to my voice when I call to you!
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
    and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!..

My eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord.” Psalm 142:1-2,8

“Hear my prayer, O Lord;
    give ear to my pleas for mercy!
    In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!..
I stretch out my hands to you…
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
    for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
    for to you I lift up my soul.

Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me
    on level ground!” Psalm 143:1-2,6,8,10

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” Mark 1:35

Good morning, Lord
I’m now awaking
A whole new day
Is mine for taking

Keep my heart
Clutched to Your breast
To sense Your pulse
To hear Your breath

I praise You first
As First and Last
The great I AM
The Son most blessed

You’re holy, sovereign
Lifted high
Your love is boundless,
Mercies nigh

You’re generous, gracious,
Infinitely wise
You know our needs
And hear our cries

Today will bring
Its winds and bite
Spirit help me
See things right

To own Your vision
And know Your mind
Keep light before
Put doubts behind

Reveal the steps
You’d have me take
The foes to fight
Sins to forsake

Distractions pull
And fears alight
Temptations flirt
And dim my sight

Infuse my will
Make vision clear
Inspire boldness,
Keep me near

I choose to join
Life’s rub and mess
So You can teach
Me righteousness

To bear Your fruit
All through the day
In worship, service,
Work, and play

To be like You
Is my desire
To think Your thoughts
To wield Your fire

For things eternal,
Good, and true
To selfless give,
Your grace imbue

I want my days
To tell Your story
And all I do
To bring You glory

So take my moments
And each hour
Guide me, fill them
With Your power

May words and actions
Reflect Your name
Help me to bless,
Instruct, redeem

So others see You
In my face,
And grasp Your truth
And want Your grace

And feel Your love
And know their value
And turn from emptiness
To know You

For You are mighty
Kind, and great
Faithful, steady
Never late

Your steadfast love
Is without measure
Eternal life
The greatest treasure

Thank You my Lord
For hearing me
For giving Jesus
To set me free

With trust and hope
My hands I raise
For You are worthy
Of highest praise

Amen (PEB)

“Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
    all the remnant of the house of Israel,
who have been borne by me from before your birth,
    carried from the womb;
even to your old age I am he,
    and to gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear;
    I will carry and will save.” Isaiah 46:3-4

“I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” Exodus 19:4

“You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.

Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
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.” Psalm 139:5-10

“Fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“Christ Jesus… is at the right hand of God, [and] indeed is interceding for us.” Romans 8:34

God’s carrying of His children was as lasting as He- from the beginning and forever. From before conception they were borne in His thoughts and design, then into this world and through days and years, constantly in His prayers and keeping, secure with Him forever. The constancy gives confidence and security and is cause for unending thanksgiving.

In a culture of independence and self-sufficiency, we might want to shrug off the idea of being carried. After all, we like to craft our plans and order life as we please. We insist on carrying our own load, and feel a bit smug about doing so. We prefer to dictate, manage, control, and manipulate, though when results are unsatisfactory we are quick to cast blame elsewhere.

The Lord invites us into a new way of knowing Him and His manner with us. He reminds us that His keeping all our days until now He pledges to continue as we entrust ourselves to His strong arms. His way protects and provides, yielding assurance, security, and confidence. Will we resist His hold and leading, or be glad to be borne in His care and keeping?

What comfort does knowing we’re borne on the Almighty’s wings give for each night, and what freedom and joy for each new morning? What broader vision for life and ministry can we gain being carried on high by the eternal God? What new confidence and boldness can we derive from being upheld incessantly in prayer? How can we more intimately enjoy this Savior, and minister in His name, power, and wisdom? Whom can we tell about His abiding care and keeping? How will we encourage the faint of heart, the new believer, the timid, that the God who is from everlasting holds them in His everlasting arms? (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:14)

Lord, may I ever welcome and trust and praise You that You carry and save, forever.

“While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, ‘My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.’ And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples… And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, ‘Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went through all that district.” Matthew 9:18-19,23-26

“Nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37

The mourners and press of onlookers mocked with near-sighted skepticism and unbelief. The synagogue ruler Jairus begged with spark-fire faith, seeing beyond near death to possible life for his daughter. And Jesus accepted the invitation to enter the commotion of weeping and wailing, wishing and watching, to raise more than just the little girl. For the doubters, unbelief turned to amazed disbelief. For the father, faith in a healing hand became clear sight of the Messiah’s heart and power. (Mark 5:21-24,35-42)

Jesus, who sees and enacts possibilities, enables and energizes faith in His children to participate. We might be overloaded and overwhelmed, seeing no way through heavy responsibilities and hard decisions. We might be depressed, choked in grief or loneliness, or paralyzed from moving forward from anger, failure, shame, or despair. We might laugh at the very thought of Jesus making a change we deem impossible. Would we step back from stubborn disbelief and let Him in? Would we trust His almighty power to defend and deliver, and His desire for what is best for us? (Matthew 9:27-30; Mark 2:2-12; Romans 8:31-39)

What keeps us from trusting God for the impossible? Why do we languish in faith and hesitate to ask great things from our great King, and expect Him to act? When we see no way, or a hard way, would we trust His way?

In what current situations have we given up on God? What individuals or fractured or strained relationships have we dismissed as impossible to redeem or repair? What dreams do we see never being fulfilled? If we changed our focus from worldly practicalities to heavenly possibilities, how might we ask the Lord to intervene? Consider what He could do- to change us, our thinking, or our situation. Are our prayers as bold or broad as His capabilities? As we pray, how might He use us, or elevate our expectancy, or deepen our faith? What might He teach us about how and why He works as He does?

Lord, help me see beyond my mess to Your possibilities, looking to You in joyful hope and lavishing You with praise. (Romans 12:12)