As the rain and snow

“Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son… [His father Zechariah wrote,] ‘His name is John.’ And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God…

“Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

“’Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    for he has visited and redeemed his people
 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David,
 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
that we should be saved from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us;
to show the mercy promised to our fathers
    and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
    that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
    in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
    in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
    whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.’” Luke 1:57,63-64,67-79

Zechariah was a godly priest who served faithfully and prayed honestly before God. When God’s angel appeared and pronounced the blessing of joy and gladness on all He was about to give and do, he was in awe. The Lord muted him over the season of his wife’s pregnancy, silent to wonder at these words and the goodness, mercy, and power of God. To have received God’s promise of a son in latter barren years, and to welcome it into fruition, was overwhelming enough. But to understand the significance of his son’s ministry welled up such immense praise he spilled over with inspired prophecy himself. This father of the last prophet to announce Christ could not help but bless the Lord as His Spirit filled and spoke through him. (Luke 1:5-20)

Any visit from the Lord, any personal word of conviction or blessing or specific understanding, any realization that He rules the world and individual lives, evokes humility and wonder. It takes earnest prayer to articulate desire, expectant ears to hear God’s voice, and adoring, grateful hearts to flow with praise. (Zephaniah 3:17; Romans 10:8)

Have we filled every moment with distraction, every silence with noise, every bit of spare energy with activity? Or do we make the effort to be still before the Lord and embrace His promises? How are we preparing room in our days and hearts for wondering, savoring, and praising our Lord? What has He said that has changed us, and how do we respond? When will we give God the glory due His name? (Psalm 29:2; 96:6-9)

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room,
and heav’n and nature sing.” ~Isaac Watts (1719)

Oh Lord, blessed be Your name above all others! Prepare my heart to receive You daily and exalt You continually.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
    his acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame;
    he remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:1-14

In this song redolent of his own experience with the Lord and brimming-over with gratitude, David recounts, with a prophetic view, all the Messiah would effect in His coming. He himself knew firsthand innumerable benefits from the Lord: forgiveness of grave sin, redemption before his enemies, satisfaction in his calling, God’s favor, and a rich relationship with God. He also understood as well as he could that his was an eternal throne, and blessed the Lord for this unshakable promise that would bring hope through the ages. Indeed, God had been bountiful to him, and his praise was lavish in return. (1 Samuel 24:17-20; 2 Samuel 12:5-13; 1 Chronicles 29:10-16; Psalm 18:1-6,9-10,25-36,49-50; 116:1-2; Matthew 9:6-7; John 4:13-15)

It enlarges the heart to imagine what led to David’s writing this song so pregnant with praise. Perhaps a quiet moment, when he could relish and enumerate the blessings his God had poured on him. Perhaps a season of stress, when he was forced to cling to God’s help because the responsibilities before him were impossible, and enumerating His past faithfulnesses sparked greater faith. Perhaps it was a psalm for his family or people, so they could inculcate a rhythm of regular recitation of the goodness of God. Voicing truth always begets gratitude and trust.

When we take pause to converse with our soul, what do we remember, ponder, or learn? What is our history with the Lord, and how are we remembering His deeds on our behalf? How are we adding to that history through regular interaction with others, conversing about God’s wondrous works and giving communal praise for answers to specific prayer? How has Christ’s presence made an ongoing difference in our outlook, attitude, conversation?

“Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv’n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!” John Francis Wade (1711-1786)

Father, so fill my soul with thoughts of Thee that I cannot help but bless Your worthy, matchless name.

“God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
    God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. ” Psalm 46:1-7

“The Lord, the Most High, is to be feared,
    a great king over all the earth.
 He subdued peoples under us,
    and nations under our feet…
Sing praises to God, sing praises!
    Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
For God is the King of all the earth;
    sing praises with a psalm!

God reigns over the nations;
    God sits on his holy throne.
The princes of the peoples gather
    as the people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God;
    he is highly exalted!” Psalm 47:2-3,6-9

“Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised
    in the city of our God!
His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation,
    is the joy of all the earth,
Mount Zion, in the far north,
    the city of the great King.
Within her citadels God
    has made himself known as a fortress.

For behold, the kings assembled;
    they came on together.
As soon as they saw it, they were astounded;
    they were in panic; they took to flight…
This is God,
our God forever and ever.
    He will guide us forever.” Psalm 48:1-5,14

Nations rage to compete and overthrow, kings spar and strut, cities roil in turmoil, but God on high reigns. Earth, sea, and sky rumble and storm, quaking from irrepressible forces, sweeping with water, rock, and wind, but God is a firm fortress. Disease sneaks and spreads unseen, conquering, debilitating, but the Almighty rules the invisible. Behold His presence and might! Hold His truths and promises!

Many are present troubles that threaten to shake our foundation from below, knock us down along our way, or flood over us with choking fury. Yet in these we have a very present hope and help. His waters are rivers of gladness. He dawns after long dark nights. He is the One whose holy throne rules and who holds every shield of the earth! Are we gladdened at His greatness and sure authority?

What fretting or flustering keeps us from beholding our God who is near? What self-sufficiency or stubbornness keeps us from raising hands to Him? What complaints and cries take the place of praise? Behold, He comes and is here! The great God is ours forever!

“Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic hosts proclaim,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.” ~Charles Wesley (1739)

Oh Lord, in the midst of the world’s whorling, worry, and want, keep me holding tightly to You and beholding Your splendor and glory!

“Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers. He appointed judges in the land.., city by city, and said to the judges, ‘Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment. Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.’

“Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgment for the Lord and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem. And he charged them: ‘Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart: whenever a case comes to you from your brothers.., concerning bloodshed, law or commandment, statutes or rules, then you shall warn them, that they may not incur guilt before the Lord and wrath may not come upon you and your brothers. Thus you shall do, and you will not incur guilt… Deal courageously, and may the Lord be with the upright!’” 2 Chronicles 19:4-10,11c

Jehoshaphat set the standard for good judgment. While man can be swayed by emotion and prejudice, God’s way is to judge by fearing Him and according to His law. The goal is always to uphold God’s honor and the people’s righteousness.

In the flesh, we tend to judge with jaded assumptions. We assess according to preferences. We criticize others to elevate ourselves, out of feelings of insecurity or haughty superiority. We can expect the worst, look for the worst, and slather the worst on others thinking we make ourselves look good.

To train in good judgment we must first check motive: Do I want the best for people? Is my passion for ruin or redemption? Do I act to tear down or protect? Am I judging to elevate myself or esteem the Lord? Once our hearts are set to seek the Lord, we must be sure our thinking is aligned with His word. (Psalm 119:66)

How well do we know what He has to say about current issues? About practical things like lying, treatment of the poor and stranger, borrowing and spending, sexual morality? What do we invest of time and attention to become acquainted with His laws so we can rightly uphold them? How willing are we to surrender personal opinion and feelings to God’s inerrant character and true, unchanging word? (Zechariah 7:9; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 5:14)

And before sitting in judgment on another, are we circumspect to consider carefully ourselves? When we espy a fault or grievance elsewhere, how are we guilty of the same? Pure desire will yield the Spirit‘s conviction. Only a clean eye can see clearly. (Matthew 7:1-5; John 16:8)

“Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
be all else but naught to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.” ~Mary Byrne (translated old Irish 1905)

Lord, develop in me good and righteous judgment that mimics Yours so my actions and words honor You.

“Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you… You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also… The word of God is not bound!…

“Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene…

“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful.., ready for every good work.

“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:1-2,9b,14-17a,21-25

Health and life, or gangrene? Paul knew the potency of words to effect harm, having spent his earlier years voicing murderous threats and condemnation against God’s children. He knew the destructive nature of a message and the suffering it could cause. He also knew the transforming power of the gospel proclaimed and received. He urged Timothy to be a spreader of God’s good news and so effectuate holy living and the salvation of many. (Acts 8:3; 9:1-2; 26:10; Romans 1:16)

The mouth is a powerful instrument, a vessel worthy of great influence as it spreads not only words but all their residue. The bearer determines whether that is to be for good or evil, saving or destroying, upbuilding or tearing down. The loftier our thinking, the more steeped we are in the word, the sweeter and richer will be our conversation and living. Rightly handling the truth entrusted to us honors the Lord and opens the way for His Spirit to bear much fruit. (James 3:2-10)

As consumers of words, we choose what we pay attention to, value, and emulate. The more we expose ourselves to coarse entertainment and indulge in cattiness and controversy, the more we’ll imitate those unholy examples.

How seriously do we take our responsibility for the words we take in and spread? How careful are we to filter out falsehoods and reject detrimental messages, thus guarding against their resulting discouragement and bad attitudes? How hungrily do we ingest God’s truth and readily put it into practice as an example to those around us?

Lord, keep me on Your straight and narrow that I might spread Your grace, love, truth, and light wherever I go and whatever I say, to Your glory.

“John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

“Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,  and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood… 

“I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.  I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet…

“Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,  and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.  The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,  his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.  In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last.'” Revelation 1:4-5,9-10,12-17a

John had been exiled for his testimony, yet remained very much a partner in faith with believers over the known world. He shared their tribulations, ministry in the kingdom, and patient endurance, exhibiting how true partnership in the gospel behaves. His letter would serve to engage their senses in mutual worship and encourage their faith, hope, and endurance. No matter circumstance or place, partners in Christ are connected when He is central.

How seriously do we take partnership in the gospel? When life and programs are running smoothly, it is easy to hum along in synch with others, and enjoy mutual joys. But when we clash in opinion, or unexpectedly face an insurmountable need or handicap or impasse, we might be tempted to abandon ship and go it alone. Suffering can be too great to have bandwidth for others, cares might seem to insignificant to share though they deplete us. It is often in these trying times that partnerships bring the most comfort and bear the most fruit.

How engaged am I in the work of God’s kingdom? How well do I value, come alongside, and pray for others who serve and suffer? What can I specifically do to build them up, contribute time and resources, speak truth in love, actively help? How am I sharing the glories of Christ with my partners in the gospel, that we might rejoice together? (Ephesians 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)

Lord, help me be a good partner with those who serve and love You, supporting and blessing them so Your gospel is conveyed and Your glory magnified.

“Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father, and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place… Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, ‘How do you advise me to answer this people?..’ And they said to him, ‘If you will be good to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.’ But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him…

“When the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him. In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, because they had been unfaithful to the Lord, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem..  Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the princes of Judah, who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, ‘Thus says the Lord, “You abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak…”‘ 

“So King Rehoboam grew strong in Jerusalem and reigned… seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city that the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to put his name there. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite.  And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 9:31; 10:6,8; 12:1-2,5,13-14

Rehoboam was a man conflicted, impetuous in decisions and impatient with conflict. His zeal drove some positive initiatives, but pride kept his devotion off-kilter. A heart untethered from the Lord wreaks havoc with thinking and actions. (2 Chronicles 10:6-19; 11:1-12)

It serves us well to know the state of our heart. Passion for a certain role or cause might spark excited, even bright ideas, but unless they are within God’s parameters and weighed with wisdom, they can lead us astray. Pomposity might afford success and famous feats, but prohibits humility before God and adherence to His laws.

Do I go about my days with wishy-washy, priorities, swaying to and fro in commitment and focus? Are any of my affections misaligned with the Lord’s? If my mindset is to serve self, and to satisfy my wants rather than fulfill God‘s plans, my heart will lead me astray from what is true and good. (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 23:27-28)

What unsets my heart? What desires and enticements dissuade me from staying fixed in Christ? Do worry and fretting shake resolve to trust, or unchecked emotions or temper break me off from holy determination? Since we are raised in Christ in salvation, we are free to be unfettered from the world’s clutches and wholly fixed on Christ’s victorious, lofty, and good ways. Would we detach from self and fix our minds and hearts on Him today? (Colossians 3:1-2)

“What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what can I give Him?
Give Him my heart.” ~Christina Rossetti (1872)

Lord, keep my heart set on You and in Your perfect will, so all I say and do brings honor to Your fame and name.

“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’  Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.  We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud  and said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing…

“They called the man who had been blind and said to him, ‘Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.’  He answered, ‘Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see…’

“Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ He answered, ‘And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?’  Jesus said to him, ‘You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.’  He said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshiped him.” John 9:1-7,24-25,35-38

Jesus made clear to the many that the high purpose of the blind man’s handicap was that the works of God might be displayed. As the miracle and its rustling aftermath unfolded, those who believed Jesus was who He claimed He was were born into new sight and understanding of what God does. The Lord had come as the light that illumines the life-changing power of God. To the healed man, God’s grand display shone both physically and spiritually.

The Lord enters our wrangling over blame, castigation, and pontificating opinions about whys and if onlys to suggest another perspective. Instead of meddling in these insignificances, would we have eyes to look for His glory unfolding? Would we quit the horizontal peskiness and look up?

What current situations loom or pester that have taken up way too much of our attention in self-pity, blame, criticism, even fear? Where are we sludging in the horizontal, nit-picking here, accusing there? Whose business takes up our focus and energy more than God’s business?

If we stopped that conversation altogether and considered only what is true, how might our outlook change? If we began to think in the vertical, might we see anew something greater at work, more to learn, more of God’s character and love and power being revealed? The next time we get snarled in the why, would we choose to consider Who is at the helm and what He’s showing us?

When we recognize the Lord’s work on our behalf, or parallel to us but on obvious, splendid display, how readily do we praise Him? Do we take the time to take the knee in humble adoration of His incredible worth?

Lord, in all that transpires keep clear my vision to see Your glorious grace and hand, and worship You.

“May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.  For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,  and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,  and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ… 

“Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.”

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 1:2-8,12; 3:18

Through the knowledge of God and the Savior Jesus came salvation, and multiplied grace and peace. Through the knowledge of Him came the power that grants all things pertaining to life and godliness, along with the call to His glory and excellence. Knowledge of the Lord is foremost in helping His children grasp His precious and very great promises and partake of His divine nature. And continually adding to knowledge is paramount for continuing responsibilities. Owning truth is vital, and remaining established in it is key to a virtuous, fruitful life.

We want knowledge, we hunger for it, search and explore and ingest it. As Christians, by faith we receive God’s knowledge as life-giving truth that saves and transforms. But we’re never meant to stagnate in a state of standing. Knowledge is never meant to increase for its own sake. Rather, God bids us to keep partaking and making every effort to grow, put it to use, increase in Christ-like qualities, and so effectively spend our days.

Have we limited our knowledge of the Lord, dismissing deep study because we’ve done our church or class duty in the past? What are we regularly and practically doing to increase our knowledge of God through His word and experiential practice? Who recognizes growing Christlikeness in us? With whom do we share His life-changing truth?

“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 Havergal (1872)

Amen!

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God… God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:7-11

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17

What manner of love is this? God sent His only Son into the world, the world they had created together side by side, to save their people gone astray. This only Son, begotten of the Father, condescended from glory to give His life for the sake of their lost children. His only Son came to procure many sons (and daughters) for the family of God. (Genesis 1:1,26-27; Proverbs 8:24-31; John 1:1-3,9-13)

What a picture of love! God’s heavenly, divine love manifest in flesh! God come down as man, atoning for my sin! This kind of love should astound and humble us- who are we to be so loved? Is our proper response to God not worship for such selfless, priceless love that is His nature and passion? This kind of love should also inspire us. We love in pale compared to God, yet drawing from His pure and selfless life-giving love for us, we can learn to love in return and with abandon. Are we so determined? (Psalm 8:3-5; Isaiah 43:1-4)

When have we experienced a kindness, service, or particular care from an individual that caused us to feel loved by the Lord? What examples of Christlike love can we emulate by beginning to put them into practice within our homes, among friends, communities, church? Contemplating the exquisite gift of an only son, what of great value might the Lord be calling me to sacrifice for the eternal sake of another? What of my time, my resources, my very heart and care am I eager to expend? How willing am I to step out in faith to do so, and thereby experience God’s unmatchable blessing? (Genesis 22:1-14; 1 Thessalonians 2:8)

“What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down, O my soul!
When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.” ~Anonymous

Lord, in the indescribable light of Your love for me, may I in faith and reciprocal love lay down my life for You and others, to the praise of Your glory.