As the rain and snow

“Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.  And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.  At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, ‘Ask what I shall give you…’

“‘O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.  And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.  Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?’

“It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.  And God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,  behold, I now do according to your word. I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.  I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.'” 1 Kings 3:3-5,7-14

Lifting the veil on the inner sanctum of Gibeon’s high place, the Lord invites our witness of a most intimate exchange. Solomon encounters God by way of sacrifice, bringing his honesty and limited faith, and God promises far more than the young king could begin to imagine. Solomon had enough understanding to know what he did not know and have, and God pledged to give wisdom beyond his years and more.

The Lord delights to commune with His children. He shapes and hears what we ask, always actively guiding and listening when we yield to Him in earnest prayer. He knows exactly where we are in the scope of life here below. His plans for us are vast and good, and He understands and meets every need we own to accomplish them. (Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 4:19)

Are we aware of what we have, both liability and asset, and do we bring these to Jesus? How regularly, how honestly, do we assess our storehouse? It is easy in the rush and press of each day to hurry into activity without taking time at the high place and offering ourselves- our hours and willingness and open hands- to the Lord. But when we do, there is much treasure to find.

What specific needs can we offer our King today? Where are we lacking insight, understanding, patience, a clear way forward? Our bountiful God gives beyond and in between what we ask, according to His glorious riches and infinite wisdom. (Ephesians 3:20)

Lord, keep me honest and bold in prayer, and please work into and unto and out of me according to Your great wisdom and glory.

“After the death of Moses, the Lord said to Joshua, Moses’ assistant, ‘Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.  Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.  From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory.  No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.  Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.  Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.'” Joshua 1:1-9

Every command from God was tethered to His character and supply. He told Joshua at the onset of his leadership of Israel that He’d already fulfilled what He promised Moses: The land was His and theirs, only to be taken in conquest. His I will backed every be and do not. On the basis of who God was and what He would do, His man was to be strong and courageous and succeed. He was not to fear or faint or be discouraged. The end was completed, the deed done within the supernatural realm of promise. Joshua need only keep his eyes forward, tread the land, and fight.

Joshua didn’t delay, and set off according to plan Moses set in place. He gave specific instructions and reminded the people of specific agreements, rallying them around the Lord as their ongoing provider. We can also be so bold, stepping out in faith on God’s given tasks knowing He will keep His word. (Joshua 1:10-15)

Do we dally with God’s commands, or new or difficult assignments? How well acquainted are we with God’s I wills so we can take them forward in pursuit of His goals? In what areas or situations do we lack confidence, determination, or assurance that we can find in Him alone? Would we discover what He has to say, and hide those truths in our hearts as the source of strength to proceed? What procrastination or sin proclivity is He calling us to conquer in His name and power? What are we doing to keep God’s promises at hand?

Lord, keep me vigilant and prepared for every assignment, trusting Your I wills as my guide, guardian, and goal.

“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, ‘Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.’  But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle… And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness.  And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.  The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people…”

“And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly… 

“When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord… And Moses said to the people, ‘Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent…’

“Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them,  coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night…

 “And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground.” Exodus 13:17-18,20-22; 14:8,10,13-14,19-20,22a

The Lord God was always teaching His people, and used both words and visual aids. He knew their propensity to look this way and that and on their enemies with fear, so He trained them to turn their eyes toward Him. It was hard to avoid a pillar of cloud or fire- each opaque, each captivating, both representing His mysterious and bright power that both led and protected. The grit was weaning from self-dependence and hard training in faith, the grace was His consistent presence that hemmed them in. (Psalm 139:5)

When the cloud of God’s abiding which they followed but through which they could not see moved from in front to behind, the Israelites were able to witness the salvation of the Lord. Walls of water’s wrath were held back and the Lord made the otherwise impossible way through dry ground. God indeed delivered them from certain death. (Exodus 14:21-31)

He does the same for us when we still our striving and rest in His salvation. Do we have the grit to believe Him even when we cannot see? Will we receive and extend His free grace that flames forth and within? The natural result of being held between cloud and fire is praise because we’ve seen and known the hand of God. (Exodus 15:11-13)

Lord, may my daily experiences with Your cloud and fire elicit spontaneous praise to Your glory.

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures… For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.  Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed…

“And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.  For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4a, 9-11,14-20a

Paul’s life and ministry testify to the inestimable power of God’s grace. Because it was the DNA of his pursuing Savior, he, a persecutor of Christians unworthy of favor, received it in life-changing abundance. The gospel of grace worked to transform, motivate, and empower him from that moment on. Not one drop of his Redeemer’s blood was in vain. Therefore, he would not live the rest of his days in vain, but only to preach Christ risen and glorified. (Acts 9:1-18)

When the message of the gospel penetrates our world, we are changed. He opens to us the depravity of our sin, the finished work of the cross, and the hope of life eternal. What matters to Him becomes important to us. Because Christ was raised in resurrection power, we can grow to understand its ramifications for mindset, faith, purpose, and boldness, and live in it daily. (Romans 8:11-13; Ephesians 1:16-20)

Are we? How has the gospel transformed our preferences and pursuits? Has it come to us in vain? Do we go about our days living without use or result, or taking to account and investing the rich privileges of knowing and serving Christ? What specific action does the gospel of grace compel?

How are we regularly experiencing resurrection power over fear, shame, sin habits? Where is it evidenced in attitude, relational interactions, ministry opportunities? How are we encouraging its effectiveness in others? How will we exhibit the potency of faith today?

Lord, let me never take Your grace for granted, but welcome its purifying and power for purposeful days that glorify You.

“Does not he see my ways
    and number all my steps?” Job 31:4

“Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
    I awake, and I am still with you.”

“He determines the number of the stars;
    he gives to all of them their names.” Psalm 139:16-18; 147:4

“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.” Isaiah 40:26

“Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” Luke 12:7

He numbered the seasons when He set the earth spinning, and the stars He placed in heaven and knows by name. He numbered the chromosomes of man when He created His image-bearer from dust. He numbers our steps, our days, and the hairs on our head. He brought math into existence in HIs exquisite, infinite design. And full of innumerable thoughts and immeasurable love toward us, the grand Accountant does not count our sins against us because of Jesus. How marvelous, how intricate, how indescribable is this God?! (Genesis 1:16-18,27; Psalm 32:2; 2 Corinthians 5:19)

It does us well to take humble accounting of all He numbers. Contemplating His upholding in place the stars He formed with His fingers, as well as His knowledge of the very hairs on our heads, are we not humbled, and hushed? He chooses to account and care for what He does, and covers over an immensity of sin and guilt and shame with His love. Do we fall in worship? Do these truths not steady our hearts and fix our thinking about His vastness?

If God knows the number of my days, why do I worry over so many uncertainties and health what-ifs? If God numbers and owns all riches, why would I fret over lack? If God measures my tears, and hears every prayer, why do I sorrow with despair? How can I learn to number my days with prudence, and count it joy to suffer trials? How will I love Him more? (1 Chronicles 29:10-13; Psalm 8:3-4; 24:1; 50:10-12; 56:8; Romans 11:36; Philippians 4:19)

“The love of God is greater far
than tongue or pen can ever tell;
it goes beyond the highest star,
and reaches to the lowest hell.
The wand’ring child is reconciled
by God’s beloved Son.
The aching soul again made whole,
and priceless pardon won.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
and were the skies of parchment made;
were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill,
and ev’ryone a scribe by trade;
to write the love of God above
would drain the ocean dry;
nor could the scroll contain the whole,
though stretched from sky to sky.

“O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
the saints’ and angels’ song.” ~Frederick Lehman (1917)

Keep me exalting You, God of perfect numbers and numbering, with countless praise.

“Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, ‘Go and select lambs for yourselves according to your clans, and kill the Passover lamb.  Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning.  For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.  You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever.  And when you come to the land that the Lord will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service.  And when your children say to you, “What do you mean by this service?”  you shall say, “It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.”’ And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.

“Then the people of Israel went and did so; as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.” Exodus 12:21-28

Moses knew the Lord would deliver Israel from Pharaoh’s servitude, but the promise seemed drawn out in coming. Initial hesitancy crept into courage, days followed days, plagued followed plague, and now the Lord prepared them for His final outpouring of wrath before the exodus. As the eternal God always intends, He directed them not just to immediate obedience to specific instruction, but to forever remembrance of His amazing deliverance. They responded as He was worthy, with humble, reverent worship. (Exodus 3:7-4:13; 6:2-11)

When God pledges His word, we are to take it as truth for now and ever. The immediate with our timeless God is always. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and so His pledges hold for present and future. What He promises to do is already accomplished within His supernatural providence, and we are to take encouragement that He will continue in His faithfulness. We are never to stop marveling at what He has already done, as that remembrance and praise remind us to look up, opening the way to heightened anticipation of seeing His hand yet again. Faith that is expectant in Him is faith that sustains any delay. (Psalm 119:89-90; Isaiah 55:8-9; Hebrews 13:8; 1 Peter 1:25)

Do we begrudge God’s daily demands, frustrated at the lack of immediate gratification? Do we get weary in waiting for fulfillment of His promises, and flag in hope and prayer and meanwhile gratitude? How might our expectancy rise if we increased praise along the way, recounting the glimpses we see of His grace, beauty, and power?

When God does act in a flourish of magnificence, do we thank Him at once and then forget, or maintain a spirit of ongoing gratitude? To repeatedly celebrate His goodness is to increase further expectancy and magnify the Lord. (Exodus 12:42)

Lord, let me never forget the power and glory of Your deliverance, and praise You with constancy, delight, and expectancy for Your ongoing faithfulness.

“He said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’  And he told them a parable, saying, ‘The land of a rich man produced plentifully,  and he thought to himself, “What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?.. I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’”  But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?”  So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.’

“And he said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.  For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing… And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?..  And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.  For… your Father knows that you need them.  Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

“’Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.'” Luke 12:15-23,25,29-34

Jesus addressed people in areas of importance, prominent concern, and sting. Treasure was often a topic because it’s often at the top of mind. The truth was that treasure needs proper priority, and the trouble was it usually doesn’t have such. The crux is understood in light of eternity. There will be a day an accounting of our souls is required, and the bearing of earthly treasure will have no impact except that it prevented richness toward God. (Luke 18:18-23)

We need a measure of treasure to function in the world, but we need the wealth of God more. Earthly riches steal affection, stoke covetousness, and distract from vital attention by inducing anxiety and fussing. God knows and provides for our every need, and if we keep rightly ordered focus we would know that. Little faith frets over present possessions, great faith frees us from their care and convinces us heavenly treasure is forever. Where are my treasure and heart planted?

How are my treasures out of kilter? Do I fret more about stuff than my state of rightness before God? Are my thoughts consumed with consuming and accumulation, or are those things filtered through a worshipful, surrendered heart and held with open hands? How am I practically seeking first God’s eternal kingdom and righteousness? What do I need to adjust in my schedule and habits to do so? Where will I improve frugality, enhance stewardship, and increase generosity? (Job 31:24-25,28; Proverbs 11:24-25,28; Matthew 6:19-21,33; Luke 16:11,13)

Father, help me handle earthly treasures with gratitude, honor, and generosity, and to treasure You above all.

“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.  But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’  But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,  but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'” Luke 10:38-42

Their beloved friend was coming and preparation made. He traveled and taught and tended to many, and time with him was limited. When Jesus arrived, the sisters turned on their personalities, one on foot, the other sitting. One was distracted, the other in tune. While each served in her way, the Christ commended one as better. All serving was appreciated, though what was necessary would not be defined by anxious and troubled toil, but by listening to His voice.

If we are prone to action, we can make a vital contribution to the Body. Doers are necessary. But the Lord who’s being served cares about motivation and execution. When action becomes frenzy, and minds are a tizzy of details and stress that negate greater purpose, He is not served. When fretting overshadows love, the expression of gracious hospitality is muddied. The true gift of serving is motivated in love and focuses on the ones to whom we minister, not our tasks. (Romans 12:6-8; Galatians 5:13)

We serve the Lord and His people best when we sit at Jesus’s feet. He has deep wisdom to impart, much grace to convey. It is this time that teaches us His kind ways in interaction, His generosity and power. Moments taken here direct our plans, lend creativity for God-honoring preparation, keep us calm, and develop life-giving faith we can share with those we welcome. (Proverbs 3:5-6; John 11:1-29)

When we hear of a need, do we jump into action or pause before the Lord? In readying for service, do we take as much time listening to the Lord to purify our mindset and inform our plans as we do tending to minutiae? How do we handle distractions that prevent us from sitting with Him? Where do we need to pause from busyness and turn off the noise? How has our serving been helped, energized, and inspired by taking time at His feet?

“Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! 
that calls me from a world of care, 
and bids me at my Father’s throne 
make all my wants and wishes known. 
In seasons of distress and grief, 
my soul has often found relief, 
and oft escaped the tempter’s snare 
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer! 

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! 
thy wings shall my petition bear 
to him whose truth and faithfulness 
engage the waiting soul to bless. 
And since he bids me seek his face, 
believe his word, and trust his grace, 
I’ll cast on him my every care, 
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!” ~W. W. Walford (1845)

Lord, help me remember that serving You with excellence is serving Your interests and glory.

“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.  But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them.  Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai.  And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.

“Whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him.” Exodus 34:29-35

“Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.” Luke 9:28-29

Approaching the Holy One requires initiative, and communing with Him initiates change. While Moses was enthralled with worship of the Lord, the Lord was affecting him from the inside out. Glory exalted became glory emanated. Jesus’s intent was prayer, and God His Father’s parallel work was to radiate His glory through His Son.

When we go to pray, motive and content determine the outcome. The power of prayer issues not from the worthiness of our desires or skill of our words, but from the power of God. We mustn’t go thinking we can change God, but seeking the Lord Jesus and open to His change of us.

Recognizing the significance of the altar comes first. We meet Him only by way of the unblemished Lamb’s sacrifice for us. Cleansed, covered in His righteousness, we can expectantly come to the place of meeting. Beholding His face, lifting high His greatness, seizing His promises backed by righteous character makes a difference in our wanting and thinking. Self-promotion and tenacious driving are transformed when we meet with the Holy One and offer ourselves as living sacrifices on the altar. The worshiping, dependent, and thankful are those with whom the Father is well pleased. (Luke 8:33-35; Romans 12:1-3)

If constantly frustrated at a sense of distance or unanswered requests, could it be we haven’t honestly met the Lord at His prescribed altar, heaven’s mercy seat? Do we approach Christ on His behalf, or our own sin-stained load of rights and demands? Do we bring empty bags to be filled, or do we empty ourselves before God for Him to fill?

How dedicated are we to seasons of prayer? How has prayer over time changed us? How will we contemplate the altar anew in order to be altered by the Lord? (2 Corinthians 3:18; Hebrews 4:12)

Father, keep me humble and dependent at Your altar, captivated with and changed by Your glory.

“Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,

“To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,  that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—  even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—  so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,  who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Paul identifies himself as an apostle called by God in order to clarify his standing and authority. Then he enjoins the church he planted in Corinth as those also called. They with him, by grace, called upon the Lord in faith to be named and connected as God’s saints. In an attempt to further deepen communion and unify their vision he expresses his gratitude for them and encourages their spiritual growth within the fellowship. Theirs was a secure and fertile place by God’s grace and within His family as they relied upon His faithfulness. (Acts 18:1-11)

Our Lord implements many prepositions in His dealings with us. He rules over our salvation, setting His love on us, drawing us toward Himself. When we come to Him, by His mercy, and trust in and rest on His work on our behalf, He plants gifts in us by His Spirit. Alive in Him, we begin the exciting adventure of living unto Him, for His purposes and glory. We actively wait for His appearing, sustained by His strength and righteousness.

In the mundane and urgent and cacophony of daily living, we can forget our heavenly connections. We can drift away from God’s calling, fixate askance at distractions from sanctification, shake off our gifts and God-given purpose to forge our own way. While we are free to opt for any of these, we will drift from the enrichment and spiritual fruitfulness that comes within the body of the saints together.

Do we understand and take seriously our calling as those set apart in Christ?How would the weary, lost world distinguish us from those without hope? In what ways is the testimony of Christ apparent and thriving in our ready knowledge, speech, and conduct?

How committed are we to regular fellowship of the saints? What is our contribution as we participate? How do we specifically exercise our gifts to intentionally and actively foster and confirm Christ’s imprint in others? What are we doing to sustain hope and remain pure as the Body awaits Christ’s return?

Lord, keep me intwined in and staid upon all Your graces and purpose for the good and expansion of Your church. From you and to you be all glory. (Romans 11:36)