As the rain and snow

“Forever, O Lord, your word
    is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
    you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
By your appointment they stand this day,
    for all things are your servants.
If your law had not been my delight,
    I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts,
    for by them you have given me life…

You are near, O Lord,
    and all your commandments are true.
Long have I known from your testimonies
    that you have founded them forever…

The sum of your word is truth,
    and every one of your righteous rules endures forever…
My soul keeps your testimonies;
    I love them exceedingly.
I keep your precepts and testimonies,
    for all my ways are before you.” Psalm 119:89-93,151-152,160,167-168

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

We live in the temporal and sometimes fail to consider, or resist the significance of, the eternal. But we were created eternal beings in God’s image, and as His children, are swept into an everlasting relationship of communion with Him. God’s word and our purpose within its plan and promises last forever. (Genesis 1:26-27; Matthew 24:35)

In order to transform our mindset from worldly and temporal to God’s heavenly one, we must know and surrender to what He thinks and says. We need to understand His ways of dealing with man, His warnings and promises that hold fast, His instructions that are relevant for all time and times. The better and longer we know His word, the more deeply we know and love God Himself.(Romans 12:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:16)

Is it our goal to know and live for Him for the long haul? If so, how are we investing to build lifelong habits that nourish a long obedience in the same direction? If not, what’s caused us to lose our first love and grow lukewarm? What will we practically do by way of regular study and fellowship, and zealous engagement in learning and serving our church body, to enrich communion with the Lord and develop a continually deepening knowing of His character and word? (Revelation 2:4; 3:15-16)

If we rue wasted years, setbacks and failures, do we have the will and courage to begin now? We can always step forward and begin anew with Jesus. We can rely on His mercy and strong truth and help. He will not fail us, and His word stands forever. (Joel 2:25; 2 Timothy 2:13; Hebrews 4:16)

“I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining ev’ry day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
‘Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.’

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith, on heaven’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” ~Johnson Oatman, Jr, (1856-1922)

Father, keep Your testimonies my delight and Your ways my highest aim, that long I will know, love, obey, and honor You as You deserve.

“Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah,.. and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem…  He walked in all the way of Asa his father. He did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. Yet the high places were not taken away…  Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel…” 1 Kings 22:41-44

“Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign… and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. [He] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him. Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away…” 2 Kings 11:21-12:1-3a

“In the second year of Joash the son of Joahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, began to reign.  He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem...  And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not like David his father. He did in all things as Joash his father had done. But the high places were not removed…” 2 Kings 14:1-3a

“In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah the son of Amaziah began to reign. He was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem…  And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away.” 2 Kings 15:1-4a

Interspersed by several evil kings, God placed a series of good kings on Judah’s throne. They followed godly role models of predecessors or priests, and did many right things in the eyes of the Lord. But their heart for God was not whole. The high places were not removed. Allowing the presence (and invitation) of false gods into the kingdom was a detrimental scourge on both king and people.

But I did…. But I didn’t… The call to Christian holiness is not an invitation to a scale-tipping balance toward good deeds. It is not an accounting of performance dos and don’ts. It is a call to full surrender, death to self and sin that enslaved, wholehearted following with single affection. It requires repentance and a thorough extricating from all that entangles, doing away with every shrine to strange worship and allegiance. (Exodus 20:3-5; Matthew 16:24; Luke 6:46; Romans 12:1; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 12:1-2; James 2:10)

What pet sin habits do we excuse, coddle, disguise? When are we casually flirting with little gods? What triggers do we ignore rather than avoid altogether? Are we cocky about our ability to stand strong and resist temptation, and therefore sloppy arming ourselves, removing it, or fleeing from it? (Matthew 16:23; Ephesians 6:10-18; James 4:7)

In devotion to Christ, where are our lingering high places? How are we justifying idolatrous thought-trails or behaviors by comparison with the past (I’ve improved) or others (I’m better)? Would we bring every decision and deed before the light of God’s standard and say purify!? How will we hold fast anew to God today? (2 Kings 18:1-8)

Father, give me sight to recognize high places I erect or tolerate in my mind, affections, and daily life, and the boldness to put them away and live fully, wholly for Thee.

“By the waters of Babylon,
    there we sat down and wept,
    when we remembered Zion.
On the willows there
    we hung up our lyres.
For there our captors
    required of us songs,
and our tormentors, mirth, saying,
    ‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion!’

How shall we sing the Lord’s song
    in a foreign land?
If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
    let my right hand forget its skill!
Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth,
    if I do not remember you,
if I do not set Jerusalem
    above my highest joy!

Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites
    the day of Jerusalem,
how they said, ‘Lay it bare, lay it bare,
    down to its foundations!’
O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed,
    blessed shall he be who repays you
    with what you have done to us!
Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones
    and dashes them against the rock!” Psalm 137:1-9

Through tears, the psalmist chose to sing, or at least compose a dirge weeping, in exile from his beloved Jerusalem. Driven from his homeland, pockmarked with images of fury and death of loved ones, longing for the beauties and comfort and security of what was, his captivity forced rich, poignant music of the soul. Even unfamiliar lands of grief and suffering can awaken close communion with the Lord.

By the waters of any personal Babylon- in far fears or relationship exiles, under torment with health or urgent pressures- we might be tempted to choke in agony. We might hang up our harps of aspiration or lyres of anointed gifting because of these hard circumstances. Would we put honest voice to our hearts and bring even the saddest melody to Him for safekeeping?

If tempted to despair, have we forgotten the good and everlasting land of faith and God’s sure promises? Will we remember that the Lord is nigh, and the highest joy not only of all that was but all that now is? Would we choose to hope in His goodness and ultimate redemption of all things for good? (Revelation 21:4-6)

“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in God’s excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.” ~George Keith (1878)

Lord, keep me singing, no matter my circumstances, to You who are worthy of trust and praise. (Psalm 138:1-3)

“Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.  I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,  we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.  We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.  To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you.  To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.  To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him  and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.'” Daniel 9:3-10

Fasting and sackcloth and ashes were not the usual practice and garb of Jews devoted to scheduled order and cleanliness. The significance of donning coarse dark goats’ hair and smearing the filth of ashes to approach the Almighty who reigned in pure light and glory is emphasized in the content of Daniel’s prayer. Though there is no biblical account of Daniel sinning, his debasement was a deliberate setting aside of self before the holy Lord in grace-bought humility to repent and seek His mercy and favor. His words unveil the perfect match between man’s depravity and God’s purity, man’s need and God’s greatness, man’s shame and God’s love, man’s confession and God’s forgiveness. (Joel 2:12-13)

When we humble ourselves and turn our faces from all that glitters and distracts to the Lord, we see Him for who He is: great, awesome, steadfastly loving. Against His light we see our sin stains, feel our rebellion, and recognize where we have fallen short and turned away. The more we take in of His grandeur, the more we consider and exalt Him, the lower we bow in need.

In sincere confession, we learn to receive His grace that matches in adequacy all we have done wrongly. To us belong doubt, impatience, and hatred; to Him belongs faithfulness, patience, and love. To us false assumptions and cattiness, to Him truth and benediction.

Would we turn to Him and see afresh our sin in the light of His face? Where is God convicting us? What dishonoring behavior have we coddled too long? Are we brave enough to name broken and ignored commands, to repent of rebel affections, and trust God’s grace and forgiveness? The joy and freedom of a clean conscience ignites praise and gladness that glorify Him.

Lord, fix my mind on You, Your excellencies, and Your matchless grace. Help me keep short accounts with You so I am free to serve You unreservedly.

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
    let Israel now say—
if it had not been the Lord who was on our side
    when people rose up against us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
    when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
    the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
    the raging waters.

Blessed be the Lord,
    who has not given us
    as prey to their teeth!
We have escaped like a bird
    from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
    and we have escaped!

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 124

In the midst of near drowning, or the crush of grief, or the fire and horror of war, all faculties engage to do the next thing: react, recoil, survive, weep. Senses and function wired by neurons and chemicals in this marvelous human body keep us afloat whether we are aware or not in the raging waters. We operate on what is required for the next breath, continuity of life, even when death of all we cherished and hoped for weighs suffocatingly, or looms.

Only by the supernatural can such crippling entanglement be brought to full release. Looking back, through time, ashes, or healed scars, we sense God’s part and place. We see His footprints beside ours in the trenches, the knee dents where He bowed and prayed at our side, translating what we knew not how to articulate. We realize it was He who was whispering in our ear and infusing us with breath to go on. We recognize that the strength was not our own, that the Potentate of time had walked the eternity of pain and brought us through. Indeed, if He had not been on our side, we could no longer live. (1 Kings 19:11-12; Romans 8:26-27,31-39)

This same Jesus is the one who walked earth alongside man to take the rage of battle and suffering of our sin- past, present, and future- to Calvary. Today He lives and helps, His pierced side ever beside us. Can we trace His loving hand? How do we express thanksgiving for such full relief? (Isaiah 53:5)

“When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control:
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul.

My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul.” ~Horatio Gates Spafford (1873) 

Lord, for Your mercies, help, and rescue, with resounding praise, may I ever bless Your name.

“As for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us… Be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, [and] so adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation.., training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” Titus 2:1-14

His pastoral letter to Titus was realistic and practical. Establishing church leadership was vital to a new body of believers. Amidst legalistic attitudes and immature behavior, Paul knew the inherent selfishness and worldly ambition of the human heart. Left to themselves, a body would not function spiritually or healthfully. Certain qualities needed to be sought, taught, and honed, rooted and aligned in Christ’s divine character.

Sound in love. Train to love. If love were innately pure and selfless, not dependent on or defined by emotion, no such reminders would be necessary. Wishing or determination cannot make good what is inherently putrid or awry. Through regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, the Lord plants in us a new nature. He grants increasing understanding of Christ’s immense love, sheds that love abroad in our hearts, and fuels compulsion and energy to express it for Him and toward others. (Romans 5:5; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 3:17-19; Titus 3:3-9)

Where does our concept of love need correcting? How well do our parameters and impulses measure against God’s definition? What strongly-held rights or flesh preferences limit our ability to love freely according to Christ’s character, practicing genuine forgiveness, reverence, and kindness? Where do we need specific Spirit-renewal? (John 15:13; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Ephesians 4:32)

“Spirit of God, who dwells within my heart,
wean it from sin, through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as you are,
and make me love you as I ought to love.

Did you not bid us love you, God and King,
love you with all our heart and strength and mind?
I see the cross there teach my heart to cling.
O let me seek you and O let me find!

Teach me to love you as your angels love,
one holy passion filling all my frame:
the fullness of the heaven-descended Dove;
my heart an altar, and your love the flame.” ~George Croly (1854)

Amen.

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons…

“If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.  Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;  for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.  The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.  For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

“Command and teach these things.  Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.  Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.  Do not neglect the gift you have…  Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.  Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:1,6-14a,15-16

Devote. Put before you. Train. Follow. Toil. Strive. Command. Teach. Set an example. Exhort. Practice. Keep close watch. Persist. Could Paul have been more clear in his admonition to Timothy that he could never let up? Constant, vigilant, committed implementation of God’s commands was the only way to remain faithful, fruitful, and effectively fulfilling his call. He interwove warning with direction, fully preparing his son in the faith for the pressures of ministry and opposition.

Later times are upon us. Deceitful spirits and demonic teachings abound, coming at us through every kind of medium and impression. Evil influences press from all sides, working to distort truth, spoil devotion, and destroy faith. The constant barrage is ample reason for our vigilance in spiritual training and keeping that training on track to carry each day’s burdens and keep heading in the right direction. If we do not watch and are not ready, we will fall weak before the enemy.

It’s vital we understand the devil’s power to destroy. If we own a complacent, casual attitude toward him, or wrestle with habits that give him sway, pray for discernment and keen sensitivity to temptation. Study his wiles and be alert to situations that fool the mind, titillate emotions, and open doors to sin, and take caution to avoid and combat them. (Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8)

How are we putting into practice these verbs? How readily is God’s truth defining the track of our guidelines, nourishment, and impetus for action? If hearts are devoted, does our will match the desire? What are we daily doing to train in godliness, to apply the Scriptures in conversation, decision, and work? From whom do we attentively learn, and for whom are we an available example? (Colossians 3:16-17)

Lord, train me daily within Your truths in what I think, say, and do, so others learn that living for you is worth every effort.

“I was glad when they said to me,
‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’
Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem—built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for^[a] Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
‘May they be secure who love you!
Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!’
For my brothers and companions’ sake
I will say, ‘Peace be within you!’
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.” Psalm 122:1-9

“To you I lift up my eyes,
O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
Behold, as the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
till he has mercy upon us.

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us.” Psalm 123:1-3a

“Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.” Psalm 24:7-9

The psalmist, eager to worship, knows the value of place. The yearning for communion with God prompts desire for a sanctuary of peace, where remembrance, thanksgiving, and fellowship flow. Worship itself instigates longing for God’s order, blessing, protection, and favor. His heavenly city. Going and gathering to the Lord is powerful. (Hebrews 11:10; 13:14; Revelation 21:2-7)

Wherever we’ve been planted, we’re called to meet with God and pray for the good of that city. Passing from pressing demands through gates of His access to supernatural splendor sets afresh our passion, which fuels pursuit. All for Christ’s sake, do we live and breathe?

What do we care for our city gates, for those who enter, perform industry, develop culture, share our space? All for Christ’s sake, how do we love His people and places? What measures do we implement to have godly effect? Seek His unity of purpose and perfect will? Seek His favor and how we can contribute to it? Put on and practice love for those we live beside, dwellers all in time and space and lost apart from God’s grace? Pray earnestly for those who lead, those with whom we disagree, and ourselves to think rightly and be full of grace? (Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 12:1-2; 13:1-3; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Titus 2:7-8)

How might our communities be different- more hopeful, fruitful, peaceful- if we committed to standing at their gates as a guard and host of all that is good, all that exalts God’s glory? Whom and what will we usher toward the presence of the King?

Lord, keep me glad to attend to and enter through Your gates, welcoming others to Your presence and You to reign.

“Therefore, behold, I will allure her,
    and bring her into the wilderness,
    and speak tenderly to her.
And there I will give her her vineyards
    and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope…

“And in that day, declares the Lord, you will call me ‘My Husband…’ I will make you lie down in safety.  And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord.

“And in that day I will answer, declares the Lord,
    I will answer the heavens,
    and they shall answer the earth,
and the earth shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil,
    and they shall answer Jezreel,
    and I will sow her for myself in the land.
And I will have mercy on No Mercy,
    and I will say to Not My People, ‘You are my people’;
    and he shall say, ‘You are my God.’” Hosea 2:14-16a,18b-23

“Thus says the Lord, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The Lord is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’” 1 Kings 20:28

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

“Every valley shall be lifted up,
    and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
    and the rough places a plain.” Isaiah 40:4

Valley of Achor [trouble]. Valley of battle. Valley of the shadow of death, and of rough places. The Redeemer came to walk these vales for and with His people. He came to bring hope and help and comfort there, to impart victory, to raise them up. The valley of every cross becomes, in the Lord’s marvelous economy and architecture, a valley to be relished and embraced because of Calvary.

This world is marked with many a valley, some deep, some long, some rocky and dangerous. The days of our lives amble, rise, and dip according to valleys appointed for us. We walk, we plod, we stumble or strain or climb, often weary, burdened with care and downcast by limited in vision. Difficult travel and relentless demands prevent us from realizing that the valley is finite and we have a heavenly Companion beside. He knows the way, with every pitfall. He sees the light behind the shadows. He carries the rod to correct and protect and staff to rescue, and the place where the valley ends. (Job 23:8-10)

What if we considered that personal present life valleys were vales of His cross? That where He calls us to walk are journeys of knowing His suffering and resurrection? Of His indescribable love and power? How might we take up hope and be inspired by joy if we shared our valleys with our Savior and Redeemer? (Matthew 16:24; Philippians 3:10)

Lord, keep we willing and grateful to walk life’s vales with Thee. Teach me that the dark wilderness way is Your place of victory, light, and glory.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

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.

The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
    he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 121:1-8

The psalmist knows his need, and is resolved and certain where alone he can find help. He has looked to and fro, right and left, even within, and knows his only help is in looking up. Though his way is riddled with evil pelts and pulls and dreary darkness, he knows where to find relief and light and security night and day. His song is one repeated with confident assurance and for those who are unsure and shaken.

Helpless creatures need a protector, a guard, a guide, a savior. This is easily seen through redeemed eyes, but impossible with sin-stained lenses. Man’s natural problem with idols and pride and skewed spiritual vision trip him into thinking he’s self-sufficient, able to manage, strong to conquer, adequate to withstand the evil one (or not needing to at all). (Ezekiel 28:2-8; 2 Timothy 3:2-5)

The key to understanding our only and perfect help is in the Lord is that we first acknowledge our helplessness. Only when we realize we are lost, weak, pitiful, and spiritually poor will we know we must look away from self for remedy. An honest look within and without does much to rectify our vision. Humble confession of our brokenness before holy God opens us to the possibilities of His free and lavish help. (Psalm 8:3-6; 14:1-3; Romans 5:6-12; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-9; Colossians 1:13-14; Revelation 3:17)

Once contrite and surrendered to the Almighty’s truth about us and Him, we look out of ourselves and away from our worldly props and aids to see His greatness and whole ability to save, help, and keep. We release the reins of self-trust and the cultural mantras that falsely claim our strength is within. We acknowledge our helplessness to heal ourselves, and the absolute ability of the One who has graciously revealed Himself to us. We begin to lose our taste for all crutches of the world and hunger for His power, character, and Spirit’s shelter and enabling.

Where are we in this process? In what and whom do we daily look to manage our plans, mark out our path, keep us and loved ones safe through besetting troubles? How have worldly remedies and ungrounded advice turned us awry, or failed altogether, and what have we done to change our habits? Whom do we trust to encourage us in heavenly pursuit and growing trust in the Lord?

Memorizing this psalm will fix true truths within and steady darting eyes and allegiances. Singing songs of real deliverance, reminding ourselves of who our great God is and all He does for our sake, keep hope near and confidence firm. Would we now lift our eyes?

Father, tilt my heart and eyes and trust upward, away from worldly promise and fixed on You.